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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6beec38 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #54061 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/54061) diff --git a/old/54061-0.txt b/old/54061-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 5e51f17..0000000 --- a/old/54061-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,16003 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Anecdotal Recollections of the Congress of -Vienna, by Auguste Louis Charles, compte de La Garde-Chambonas - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Anecdotal Recollections of the Congress of Vienna - -Author: Auguste Louis Charles, compte de La Garde-Chambonas - -Translator: Albert Dresden Vandam - -Release Date: January 27, 2017 [EBook #54061] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RECOLLECTIONS--CONGRESS OF VIENNA *** - - - - -Produced by Josep Cols Canals, Charlie Howard, and the -Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net -(This file was produced from images generously made -available by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - - - - - ANECDOTAL RECOLLECTIONS - OF THE - CONGRESS OF VIENNA - - -[Illustration: FRANCIS I, EMPEROR OF AUSTRIA.] - - - - - ANECDOTAL RECOLLECTIONS - OF THE - CONGRESS OF VIENNA - - BY THE - COMTE A. DE LA GARDE-CHAMBONAS - - WITH - _INTRODUCTION AND NOTES BY THE_ - COMTE FLEURY - - - Translated - BY THE AUTHOR OF - ‘AN ENGLISHMAN IN PARIS’ - - - WITH PORTRAITS - - - LONDON - CHAPMAN & HALL, LIMITED - 1902 - - - - -Edinburgh: T. and A. CONSTABLE, (late) Printers to Her Majesty - - - - -CONTENTS - - - PAGE - BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICE OF THE COMTE AUGUSTE DE LA GARDE-CHAMBONAS xiii - - - INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER - - Introduction--A Glance at the Congress--Arrival of the - Sovereigns--The First Night in Vienna, 1 - - - CHAPTER I - - The Prince de Ligne--His Wit and his Urbanity--Robinson - Crusoe--The Masked Ball and Rout--Sovereigns in Dominos - --The Emperor of Russia and Prince Eugène--Kings and - Princes--Zibin--General Tettenborn--A Glance at his - Military Career--Grand Military Fête in Honour of Peace-- - The Footing of Intimacy of the Sovereigns at the Congress - --The Imperial Palace--Death of Queen Maria Carolina of - Naples--Emperor Alexander--Anecdotes--Sovereign Gifts - --Politics and Diplomacy--The Grand Rout--The Waltz, 11 - - - CHAPTER II - - The Drawing-Rooms of the Comtesse de Fuchs--The Prince Philip - of Hesse-Homburg--George Sinclair--The Announcement of - a Military Tournament--The Comtesse Edmond de Périgord - General Comte de Witt--Letters of Recommendation--The - Princesse Pauline--The Poet-Functionary and Fouché, 41 - - - CHAPTER III - - Reception at M. de Talleyrand’s--His Attitude at the Congress - --The Duc de Dalberg--The Duc de Richelieu--Mme. Edmond - de Périgord--M. Pozzo di Borgo--Parallel between the - Prince de Ligne and M. de Talleyrand--A Monster Concert, 55 - - - CHAPTER IV - - The Prince de Ligne’s Study--A Swimming Exploit--Travelling - by Post--A Reminiscence of Madame de Staël--Schönbrunn-- - The Son of Napoleon--His Portrait--Mme. de Montesquiou-- - Anecdotes--Isabey--The Manœuvring-Ground--The People’s - Fête at Augarten, 70 - - - CHAPTER V - - The Prater--The Carriages--The Crowd and the Sovereigns - --The Sovereigns’ Incognito--Alexander Ypsilanti-- - The Vienna Drawing-Rooms--Princesse Bagration--The - Narischkine Family--A Lottery, 87 - - - CHAPTER VI - - The Castle of Laxemburg--Heron-Hawking--The Empress of - Austria--A Royal Hunt--Fête at the Ritterburg--A - Recollection of Christina of Sweden--Constance and - Theodore, or the Blind Husband--Poland--Scheme for her - Independence--The Comte Arthur Potocki--The Prince de - Ligne and Isabey--The Prince de Ligne’s House on the - Kalemberg--Confidential Chats and Recollections--The - Empress Catherine II.--Queen Marie-Antoinette--Mme. de - Staël--Casanova, 105 - - - CHAPTER VII - - A Court Function--The Empress of Austria--The Troubadours - --Amateur Theatricals--The Empress of Russia--The - Prince Leopold of Saxe-Cobourg--Tableaux-Vivants--Queen - Hortense’s Songs--The Moustaches of the Comte de Wurbna-- - Songs in Action--The Orphan of the Prisons--Diplomacy and - Dancing--A Ball and a Supper at Court, 137 - - - CHAPTER VIII - - Prince Eugène de Beauharnais--Recollections of the Prince de - Ligne--The Theatre of the ‘Ermitage’ and of Trianon--The - Baron Ompteda--Some Portraits--The Imperial _Carrousel_ - --The Four-and-Twenty Paladins--Reminiscences of Mediæval - Tournaments--The Prowess of the Champion--Fête and Supper - at the Imperial Palace--The Table of the Sovereigns, 152 - - - CHAPTER IX - - Recollections of the Military Tournament of Stockholm in 1800-- - The Comte de Fersen--King Gustavus IV.--The Challenge of - the Unknown Knight--The Games on the Bridge at Pisa, 174 - - - CHAPTER X - - The Prince de Ligne’s Song of the Congress--Life on the Graben - --The Chronicle of the Congress--Echoes of the Congress-- - A Companion Story to the Death of Vatel--Brie, the King of - Cheese--Fête at Arnstein the Banker’s--The Prince Royal - of Würtemberg--Russian Dances--The Poet Carpani and the - Prince de Ligne, 193 - - - CHAPTER XI - - The Last Love-Tryst of the Prince de Ligne--A Glance at the - Past--Z---- or the Consequences of Gaming--Gambling in - Poland and in Russia--The Biter Bit--Masked Ball--The - Prince de Ligne and a Domino--More Living Pictures--The - Pasha of Surêne--Two Masked Ladies--A Recollection of the - Prince de Talleyrand, 218 - - - CHAPTER XII - - Illness of the Prince de Ligne--The Comte de Witt--Ambassador - Golowkin--Doctor Malfati--The Prince gets worse--Last - Sallies of the Moribund--General Grief--Portrait of the - Prince de Ligne--His Funeral, 244 - - - CHAPTER XIII - - The Fire at the Razumowski Palace--The Prince’s Great Wealth - --The Vicissitudes of Court Favour in Russia--Prince - Koslowski--A Reminiscence of the Duc d’Orléans--A - Re-mark of Talleyrand--Fête at the Comtesse Zichy’s-- - Emperor Alexander and his Ardent Wishes for Peace--New - Year’s Day, 1815--Grand Ball and Rout--Sir Sidney Smith’s - Dinner-Party at the Augarten--His Chequered Life, his - Missions and his Projects at the Congress--The King of - Bavaria without Money--Departure and Anger of the King of - Würtemberg--The Queen of Westphalia--The Announcement of - a Sleighing-Party--A Ball at Lord Castlereagh’s, 256 - - - CHAPTER XIV - - Some Original Types at the Congress--M. Aïdé--A Witticism of - the Prince de Ligne--Mme. Pratazoff--Mr. Foneron--The - Old Jew--His Noblesse and his Moral Code--Mr. Raily-- - His Dinners and his Companions--The Two Dukes--The End of - a Gambler--The Sovereigns’ Incognito--Mr. O’Bearn--Ball - at the Apollo--Zibin and the King of Prussia--Charles de - Rechberg and the King of Bavaria--The Minuet--The King - of Denmark--Story of the Bombardment of Copenhagen--The - German Lesson, 282 - - - CHAPTER XV - - Religious Ceremony for the Anniversary of the Death of Louis - XVI.--Reception at Talleyrand’s--Discussion on the - Subject of Saxony and Poland--The Order of the Day of the - Grand-Duke Constantine--A Factum of Pozzo di Borgo--A - Sleighing-Party--Entertainment and Fête at Schönbrunn-- - Prince Eugène--Recollections of Queen Hortense--The - Empress Marie-Louise at the Valley of St. Helena--Second - Sleighing-Party--A Funeral, 309 - - - CHAPTER XVI - - Reception at Madame de Fuchs’s--Prince Philippe - d’Hesse-Hombourg--The Journalists and Newsmongers of - Vienna--The French Village in Germany--Prince Eugène-- - Recollection of the Consulate--Tribulations of M. Denville - --Mme. Récamier--The Return of the _Émigré_--Childhood’s - Friend, or the Magic of a Name--Ball at Lord Stewart’s-- - Alexander proclaimed King of Poland--The Prince Czartoryski - --Confidence of the Poles--Count Arthur Potocki--The - Revolutions of Poland--Slavery--Vandar--Ivan, or the - Polish Serf, 328 - - - CHAPTER XVII - - The Emperor Alexander, the King of Prussia, and the Naval Officer - --Surprise to the Empress of Russia--More Fêtes--A Ball - at M. de Stackelberg’s--Paul Kisseleff--Brozin--Fête - offered by M. de Metternich--The Ball-Room catches Fire-- - Fêtes and Banquet at the Court--Ompteda--Chronicle of the - Congress--The Tell-tale Perfume--Recollection of Empress - Josephine and Madame Tallien--A Romantic Court Story, 346 - - - CHAPTER XVIII - - The Comte de Rechberg’s Work on the Governments of the Russian - Empire--The King of Bavaria--Polish Poem of Sophiowka-- - Madame Potocka, or the Handsome Fanariote--Her Infancy-- - Particulars of Her Life--A Glance at the Park of Sophiowka - --Subscription of the Sovereigns--Actual State of - Sophiowka, 364 - - - CHAPTER XIX - - A Luncheon at M. de Talleyrand’s on his Birthday--M. de - Talleyrand and the MS.--The Princesse-Maréchale Lubomirska - --New Arrivals--Chaos of Claims--The Indemnities of the - King of Denmark--Rumours of the Congress--Arrival of - Wellington at Vienna--The Carnival--Fête of the Emperor - of Austria--A Masked Rout--The Diadem, or Vanity Punished - --A Million--Gambling and Slavery: a Russian Anecdote, 375 - - - CHAPTER XX - - Isabey’s Study--His Drawing of the Plenipotentiaries at the - Congress of Vienna--The Imperial Sepulchre at the Capuchins - --Recollections of the Tombs of Cracow--Preacher Werner - --St. Stephen’s Cathedral--Children’s Ball at Princesse - Marie Esterhazy’s--The Empress Elizabeth of Russia-- - The Picture-Gallery of the Duc de Saxe-Teschen--Emperor - Alexander and Prince Eugène--The Pictures of the Belvedere - --The King of Bavaria--Anecdotes, 394 - - CHAPTER XXI - - Ypsilanti--Promenade on the Prater--First Rumour of the - Escape of Napoleon--Projects for the Deliverance of Greece - --Comte Capo d’Istria--The Hétairites--Meeting with - Ypsilanti in 1820--His Projects and Reverses, 406 - - - CONCLUSION - - Napoleon has left Elba--Aspect of Vienna--Theatricals at - the Court--Mme. Edmond de Périgord and the Rehearsal-- - Napoleon’s Landing at Cannes--The Interrupted Dance--Able - Conduct of M. de Talleyrand--Declaration of the 13th March - --Fauche Borel--The Congress is Dissolved, 410 - - - INDEX, 421 - - - - -PORTRAITS - - - FRANCIS I., EMPEROR OF AUSTRIA, _Frontispiece_. - _at page_ - COUNT NESSELRODE, 36 - - MARIE-LOUISE, ARCHDUCHESS OF AUSTRIA, 76 - - ALEXANDER I., 142 - - MARIE, DOWAGER-EMPRESS OF RUSSIA, 211 - - ROBERT, VISCOUNT CASTLEREAGH, MARQUESS OF LONDONDERRY, 281 - - PRINCE DE METTERNICH, 353 - - M. MAURICE DE TALLEYRAND, 376 - - - - -BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICE OF THE COMTE AUGUSTE DE LA GARDE-CHAMBONAS - - -Auguste-Louis-Charles de La Garde,[1] a man of letters and a poet of -some repute in his time, was born in Paris in 1783. The following is a -copy of his certificate of baptism:-- - - THE OLD PARISH OF On Wednesday, the fifth day of March of - the year seventeen hundred and eighty-three, - SAINT-EUSTACHE, there was baptized Auguste-Louis-Charles, - born on the previous day but one, the son of - ANNO 1783. Messire le Comte Scipion-Auguste de La - Garde, chevalier, captain of Dragoons, and - (REGISTRY OF PARIS.) of Dame Catherine-Françoise Voudu, his wife, - domiciled in the Rue de Richelieu. Godfather - --Messire Jean de la Croix, captain of - Dragoons; Godmother-- Dame Elisabeth - Vingtrinien, wife of M. Etienne-Antoine - Barryals, Bourgeois of Paris.[2] - -The child’s mother died in giving it birth. The father only survived -the beloved young wife for a little while, and feeling his end to be -near, confided the orphan to the head of his family, the Marquis de -Chambonas (Scipion-Charles-Victor Auguste de La Garde), camp-marshal -(equivalent to the present grade of general of brigade), and -subsequently a minister of Louis XVI.[3] - -M. de Chambonas took charge of the infant, looking upon it as a second -son, and treating it with the most constant affection. Consequently -in all his works, and in his _Unpublished Notes_, Auguste de La Garde -always refers by the name of ‘father’ to the relative who had replaced -his dead parents.[4] - -During his early childhood, he was often entrusted to his godmother, -Mme. de Villers.[5] She was the friend of Mme. Bernard, the wife of -the Lyons banker, whose daughter was to attain such great celebrity -under the name of Mme. Récamier. Brought up together, as it were, -these two children conceived for each other a sincere affection, which -neither time nor distance ever cooled. When, on his return from foreign -parts, Auguste de La Garde came to Paris in 1801, he at once took up -his abode at Mme. Récamier’s, who, moreover, gave him the support so -necessary to the youthful wanderer who possessed no resources of his -own. Hence, it will cause no surprise to meet in the _Recollections -of the Congress of Vienna_ with pages breathing a profound sense of -gratitude to Mme. Récamier. - -Young La Garde began his studies under the guidance of the Abbé B----, -after which he was sent to the College of Sens. (His ‘father’ had been -governor of the town in 1789, and its mayor in 1791.) M. de Chambonas, -after having commanded the 17th division of the army of Paris for a -very short time, was called to the ministry of Foreign Affairs, the -17th June 1792, to replace Dumouriez, who had resigned. His stay there -was also very short. Having been denounced publicly in the Legislative -Assembly for having withheld information with regard to the movements -of the Prussian troops, and becoming more and more suspect every day, -he quickly abandoned the post. - -On the 10th August he was among those who endeavoured to defend the -Tuileries, and was even left for dead on the spot. It was only towards -the end of 1792 that M. de Chambonas made up his mind to quit Paris. He -did not cross the frontier, but managed to reach Sens; where, in safe -hiding, he succeeded in spending unmolested the years of the Reign of -Terror. He had taken with him his son, who subsequently married Mlle. -de la Vernade, at Sens (and who was the grandfather of the present -Marquis de Chambonas), and also his adopted son. - -How did the erewhile minister of Louis XVI. succeed in passing -unmolested through the Terror? It seems almost incredible. This was one -of the exceptions the particulars of which have been traced by memoirs -that have recently come to light.[6] - -During the Directory, in fact, M. de Chambonas floated absolutely to -the top, and at one time there was talk of sending him to Spain as -ambassador. The plan fell through, and after the _coup d’état_ on the -18th Fructidor (4th September 1797), M. de Chambonas, considering -himself no longer safe, hurriedly left Paris to avoid arrest. - -Behold our wanderers at Hamburg, and afterwards in Sweden and Denmark. -Auguste de La Garde in his somewhat florid style will tell us many -amusing anecdotes; on the other hand, the bombardment of Copenhagen by -the English fleet in 1801 affected him sadly. - -A few months later, the lad of eighteen is sent to France by M. de -Chambonas in order to obtain the removal of the sender’s name from -the list of _émigrés_--he had been considered as such while he was in -hiding at Sens--and to claim the estates the nation had confiscated. -Auguste de La Garde is hospitably received by Mme. Récamier, who, while -bestirring herself in behalf of the ‘father,’ takes the son in hand -with regard to his education. Through her influence, La Harpe assists -him with his counsels, and the best professors direct his further -studies. As for the property the restitution of which is claimed by his -‘father,’ by that time established in England, all idea of it had to be -abandoned; and young La Garde himself, his mind precociously ripened by -his exile, was compelled to look to his own independent future.[7] - -His personal charm, his natural gifts, and, in short, the useful -connections he rapidly made for himself, soon procured him employment -and a start in life. At the outset, he obtained through the goodwill of -Prince Eugène missions to Italy, to Marmont in Dalmatia, to the Court -of King Joseph at Naples, and finally to Rome, where he was cordially -received by Lucien Bonaparte and his family. The pages, whether in -his _Recollections of the Congress of Vienna_ or in his _Unpublished -Notes_, referring to his primary benefactors, go far to exonerate him -from the charge of ingratitude, for he lavishes upon those benefactors -all the ornaments of his rhetoric; at any rate, nearly all, for the -greater part of the acknowledgment of his indebtedness goes mainly to -Field-Marshal Prince de Ligne, who was his protector, his beneficent -and ... very useful relative, a member of the Chambonas family, having, -as we already stated, married a Princesse de Ligne. - -La Garde first met with the Prince de Ligne in the Eternal City. He -soon became a familiar visitor to the octogenarian prince, who, like -the generous Mæcenas that he was, gave him a pressing invitation to -come and settle near him in Vienna. The young fellow was too sensible -to make light of an offer insuring material welfare and a regular -existence after years of uncertainty. He, therefore, settled in Vienna -near to his benefactor, yielding for the matter of that to the spell -exercised over every one by that very superior specimen of manhood, -and requiting his kindness with an affectionate veneration increasing -as time went on. The whole of the first part of the _Recollections_ -attests a boundless gratitude; and if on the one hand that work -constitutes the brightest ornament of our author’s literary crown, it -constitutes on the other the most complete panegyric of the prince who -had become ‘his idol.’ - -From Vienna, the Comte de La Garde passed into Russia, where he met -with a cordial welcome from the elegant society of St. Petersburg. In -1810 he published there a volume of poems, which obtained a most signal -success. Subsequently invited to Poland by the Comte Félix Potocki, and -treated with the most generous hospitality, he was enabled to devote -himself to numerous literary works; and as a mark of gratitude to his -hosts, he translated into French Trembecki’s poem dedicated to the -cherished wife of Comte Félix, the celebrated Sophie Potocka. - -The _Recollections of the Congress of Vienna_ contains frequent -references to the ‘superb Sophie,’ who was born in the Fanariote -quarter in Constantinople, and whose singular career was solely owing -to her beauty. She married in the first place the Comte de Witt (of -the family of the Dutch Great State-Councillor, whose descendants had -entered the service of Russia). The Comte de Witt enticed her away -from a secretary of the French Embassy in Constantinople; Comte Félix -Potocki, in his turn, eloped with her while she was Comtesse de Witt, -and married her, thanks to an amicable arrangement nullifying the -first marriage. Comtesse Sophie, celebrated throughout Europe--her -loveliness had even compelled admiration from the Court circle at -Versailles--lived on a regal footing on her estate of Tulczim, -and dispensed her hospitality to the French _émigrés_ in a manner -calculated to dazzle many of them. The _Mémoires_ of General Comte de -Rochechouart and the present _Recollections_ are specially interesting -on the subject. The success of the poem, ‘Sophiowka,’ was such as -to gain for its adapter the honorary membership respectively of the -Academies of Warsaw, Cracow, Munich, London, and Naples. - -The Comte de La Garde was to receive another flattering testimonial in -Poland, many years later, on the occasion of the appearance of his poem -on the ‘Funérailles de Kosciusko’ (Treuttel & Wurtz: Paris, 1830). Its -several editions by no means exhausted its success; the senate of the -republic of Cracow conferred upon him the Polish citizenship, while the -kings of Bavaria, Prussia, and Saxony complimented him by autograph -letters. - -La Garde was the author of a great number of songs; and the most -renowned composers of the period competed for the honour of setting -them to music. Many of these romances were dedicated to Queen Hortense, -whose acquaintance he made at Augsburg in 1819. This led to his -collaboration in ‘Loi d’Exil,’ and ‘Partant pour la Syrie’--the latter -of which became the national hymn during the Second Empire. In 1853, -there appeared _L’Album artistique de la Reine Hortense_, a much prized -collection of the then unpublished songs of the Comte de La Garde, -with their music by the queen, and charming reproductions of tiny -paintings, which were also her work.[8] - -This was the last time the name of the Comte de La Garde appeared -in print. A short time afterwards his wandering life came to an end -in Paris, which during the latter years of his life he inhabited -alternately with Angers. He had adopted as his motto: ‘My life is a -battle’; he could have added, ‘and a never-ending journey’; for his -constitutional restlessness prevented him from settling permanently, -no matter where. He never married. The few documents he left behind, -including some momentoes, represented the whole of his property, and -went to his cousin, M. de La Garde, Marquis de Chambonas. - -In addition to the afore-mentioned works and the present one, -_Recollections of the Congress of Vienna_, which originally appeared -in Paris in 1820 (?), M. de la Garde was the author of the following: -_Une traduction de Dmitry Donskoy_ (Moscow, 1811); _Coup d’œil sur le -Royaume de Pologne_ (Varsovie, 1818); _Coup d’œil sur Alexander-Bad_ -(Bavière, 1819); _Laure Bourg: roman dédié au Roi de Bavière_ (Munich, -1820); _Les Monuments grecs de la Sicile_ (Munich, 1820); _Traduction -des Mélodies de Thomas Moore_ (Londres, 1826); _Voyage dans quelques -parties de l’Europe_ (Londres, 1828); _Brighton, Voyage en Angleterre_, -(1830); _Tableau de Bruxelles (prose et vers), dédié à la Reine_; -_Projet pour la formation d’une Colonie belge à la Nouvelle Zélande_, -etc. - -In all those works, and notably in the most important, namely: -_Brighton_, and _Souvenirs du Congrès_ _de Vienne_, M. de La Garde -shows himself to be endowed with the faculty of observation and with -tact. Unfortunately his matchless kindliness prevents his criticisms -from departing from the laudatory gamut. - -We must not look in these _Recollections_ for important revelations -concerning the diplomatic conferences which engaged the attention -of the whole of Europe in 1815; we shall only meet with delightful -anecdotes and portraits of _grandes dames_ and illustrious personages. -There will be many silhouettes of figures that have been forgotten -since, but which, while they belonged to this world, were worthy of -notice. To appreciate them we should bring to the perusal of this -volume the quality which presided at its composition: namely, the -kindliness of an observant man of the world. - -Since their appearance in 1820, these _Recollections_ had been -absolutely forgotten. It seemed to us and to M. le Marquis de Chambonas -La Garde, to whom we owe the principal facts of this notice, that the -chapters were worthy of being resuscitated. Though we have omitted from -these _Recollections_ some dissertations more or less obsolete, which -would be of no interest to-day, we have throughout respected the style -and the ideas of the author; only adding to his narrative the necessary -notes on the principal personages of the action. - - FLEURY. - - - - -ANECDOTAL RECOLLECTIONS - - - - -INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER - - Introduction--A Glance at the Congress--Arrival of the Sovereigns-- - The First Night in Vienna. - - -The Congress of Vienna, considered as a political gathering, has not -lacked historians, but they were so intent upon recording its phases -of high diplomacy as to have bestowed no thought upon its piquant and -lighter social features. - -No doubt they feared that triviality of detail might impair the -general effect of so imposing a picture, and they were satisfied with -reproducing and judging results, without caring to retrace the diverse -and animated scenes where these results were obtained. Nevertheless, -it would have been curious to go more or less deeply into the personal -lives of the actors called upon to settle the future interests of -Europe. At the Vienna Congress, hearts hitherto closed, nay, wholly -inaccessible, to the observation of the outer world, were often laid -open. Amidst the confusion of all ranks, their most transient movements -revealed themselves, and lent themselves to being watched, as if taken -off their guard in the irresistible whirl of uninterrupted pleasures. - -Doubtless, at no time of the world’s history had more grave and complex -interests been discussed amidst so many fêtes. A kingdom was cut into -bits or enlarged at a ball: an indemnity was granted in the course of -a dinner; a constitution was planned during a hunt; now and again -a cleverly-placed word or a happy and pertinent remark cemented a -treaty the conclusion of which, under different circumstances, would -probably have been achieved only with difficulty, and by dint of many -conferences and much correspondence. Acrimonious discussions and -‘dry-as-dust’ statements were replaced for the time being, as if by -magic, by the most polite forms in any and every transaction; and also -by the promptitude which is a still more important form of politeness, -unfortunately too neglected. - -The Congress had assumed the character of a grand fête in honour of -the general pacification. Ostensibly it was a feast of rest after the -storm, but, curiously enough, it offered a programme providing for life -in its most varied movements. Doubtless, the forgathering of those -sovereigns, ministers, and generals who for nearly a quarter of a -century had been the actors in a grand drama supposed to have run its -course, besides the pomp and circumstance of the unique scene itself, -showed plainly enough that they were there to decide the destinies -of nations. The mind, dominated by the gravity of the questions at -issue, could not altogether escape from the serious thoughts now and -again obtruding themselves: but immediately afterwards the sounds of -universal rejoicing brought a welcome diversion. Everyone was engrossed -with pleasure. The love-passion also hovered over this assembly of -kings, and had the effect of prolonging a state of abandonment and a -neglect of affairs, both really inconceivable when taken in conjunction -with upheavals the shock of which was still felt, and immediately -before a thunderbolt which was soon to produce a singular awakening. -The people themselves, apparently forgetting that when their rulers are -at play, the subjects are doomed to pay in a short time the bills of -such royal follies, seemed to be grateful for foibles that drew their -masters down to their level. - -Meanwhile, the man of Titanic catastrophes is not far distant. Napoleon -steps forth to spread fire and flame once more; to make an end of -all those dreams, and to invest with a wholly different aspect those -voluptuous scenes, the diversity of which could not even save their -participants from the weariness of satiety.[9] - -I arrived in Vienna towards the end of September 1814, when the -Congress, though it had been announced for several months, was not yet -officially opened. The fêtes had, however, already commenced. In the -abstract of the proceedings, it had been said that the conferences -would be of very short duration. Business according to some, pleasure -according to others, and probably both these causes combined, decided -things otherwise. Several weeks, several months, went by without the -question of dissolution being broached. Negotiating as from brother to -brother, in a manner that would have rejoiced the heart of Catherine -the Great, the sovereigns amicably and without the least hurry arranged -‘their little affairs’; they gave one the impression of wishing to -realise the philosophic dream of the Abbé de Saint-Pierre.[10] - -The number of strangers attracted to Vienna by the Congress was -estimated at close upon a hundred thousand. It ought to be said that -for this memorable gathering no other city would have answered so -well. Vienna is in reality the centre of Europe; at that time it was -its capital. A Viennese who had happened to leave the city a few -months before would have had some difficulty in identifying himself -and his familiar surroundings amidst that new, gilded, and titled -population which crowded the place at the time of the Congress. All the -sovereigns of the North had come thither; the West and the East had -sent their most notable representatives. The Emperor Alexander, still -young and brilliant; the Empress Elizabeth, with her winning though -somewhat melancholy grace, and the Grand-Duke Constantine represented -Russia. Behind these were grouped a mass of ministers, princes, and -generals, especially conspicuous among them the Comtes de Nesselrode, -Capo d’Istria, Pozzo di Borgo, and Stackelberg, all of whom were marked -out from that hour to play important parts in the political debates of -Europe. These statesmen must be passed over in silence. I must not be -equally silent with regard to the friends whom I met once more, and who -during my wanderings in Germany, Poland, and Russia, had entertained -me with such cordial affection. There was Tettenborn, as devoted and -warm-hearted after many years of separation as if we had never parted; -the Comte de Witt, the Prince Koslowski, both of whom were to die -prematurely; and Alexander Ypsilanti, fervent and generous as of old, -and fated to meet with such a cruel end in the prisons of Montgatz and -of Theresienstadt. - -The King of Prussia was accompanied by the Princes Guillaume and -Auguste. Baron de Humboldt[11] and the Prince d’Hardemberg presided -at his councils. The beautiful queen who in the negotiations of 1807 -employed in vain all her seductive grace and resources of mind against -the will of Napoleon, was no more. - -The King of Denmark, Frédéric VI., the son of the ill-fated Caroline -Mathilde,[12] also repaired to the Congress, which, luckily for him, -he was enabled to leave without his modest possessions having aroused -the cupidity of this or that ambitious neighbour. - -The Kings of Bavaria and Würtemberg, the Dukes of Saxe-Coburg, -Hesse-Darmstadt, and Hesse-Cassel--in short, all the heads and princes -of the reigning houses of Germany--were there. They also wished to -take part in the political festival, and were anxious to know how the -supreme tribunal would trim and shape the borders of their small States. - -The King of Saxony, so ardently worshipped by his subjects, had at -that time retired into Prussia, while the Allied Armies occupied his -kingdom. That excellent prince, whom Napoleon called ‘le plus honnête -homme qui ait occupé le trône,’[13] was only represented at the -Congress by his plenipotentiaries. - -The representatives of France were the Duc de Dalberg, the Comte Alexis -de Noailles, M. de la Tour-du-Pin, and the Prince de Talleyrand. The -last-named maintained his high reputation with great dignity under -difficult circumstances, and perhaps conspicuous justice has never been -done to him. The English plenipotentiaries were Lords Clancarty and -Stewart, and Viscount Castlereagh. - -Among these notable men it would be ingratitude on my part not to name -the Prince de Ligne, of whom frequent mention will be made in these -_Recollections_; and the reigning Landgrave of Hesse-Homburg [1814]. A -brave soldier, the latter prince earned his grade of field-marshal on -the battlefield itself, and moreover proved his talent as a remarkable -administrator by promoting in many ways the happiness of his subjects. - -The whole of this royal company met in the capital of Austria with a -hospitality worthy of it, and worthy also of that memorable gathering. -The Kings of Würtemberg and Denmark arrived before any of the others. -The Emperor Franz proceeded as far as Schönbrunn to welcome each of -them. The interview between those princes was exceedingly cordial, and -free from diplomatic reserve; but the ceremony which by its pomp and -splendour was evidently intended to crown the series of wonders of the -Congress was the solemn entry of Emperor Alexander and the King of -Prussia. - -Numerous detachments of guards of honour had been posted on the routes -these two monarchs were to traverse. The whole of the garrison was -under arms at the approaches to and within the capital. The emperor, -attended by his grand officers of state, both military and civil, the -archdukes, and other princes of the blood, proceeded for some distance -to meet his hosts. The meeting took place on the left bank of the -Danube, at the further extremity of the Tabor bridge. There was an -exchange of most affectionate and apparently most sincere greetings, -and the three rulers held each other’s hands for a long while. - -An immense crowd lined the banks of the stream, and rent the air with -cheers. Undoubtedly it was a sight as remarkable as it was unheard-of, -that gathering of sovereigns tried by severe misfortune for twenty -years, and who, having vanquished him who had been for such a long -time victorious, seemed astonished at a triumph so dearly bought, so -unexpectedly obtained. - -The three monarchs, in full-dress uniforms, meanwhile mounted their -horses and rode slowly on amidst the booming of the artillery. The -infinite number of generals, belonging to all the nations of Europe, -riding behind them, their brilliant costumes glittering in the sun, -the joyous cries of the crowds, the clanging of the bells of all the -steeples, the air resounding with the firing of the cannon, the sight -of that population frantically hailing the return of peace--in fact, -the whole scene, even the cordial demeanour of those sovereigns, -constituted the most imposing and eloquent spectacle. - -The welcome to the Empress of Russia on the following day was marked by -a ceremonial of a less grandiose but more graceful nature. The Empress -of Austria, surrounded by the whole of her Court, went to meet her a -long distance out of the capital. A short time after she started, the -two emperors proceeded in the same direction, and the two processions -joined hands, as it were, close to the church of Maria-Brunn. An open -calèche was in waiting to convey the empresses; their august husbands -took their seats with them. A detachment of the Hungarian Guards, -another of Uhlans, and a great number of pages made up the escort. The -carriage, on reaching the outer gates of the court, was met by young -girls dressed in white, offering baskets of flowers. A dense crowd -lined the avenues leading to the palace, and everybody admired the -spontaneous cordiality, the good-will altogether without etiquette, -lighting up the faces of all those grand personages, so little adapted -to manifestations of equality. - -From that moment Vienna assumed an aspect which was as bright as it was -animated. Numberless magnificent carriages traversed the city in all -directions, and, in consequence of the restricted size of the capital, -constantly reappeared. Most of them were preceded by those agile -forerunners, in their brilliant liveries, who are no longer to be seen -anywhere except in Vienna, and who, swinging their large silver-knobbed -canes, seemed to fly in front of the horses. The promenades and squares -teemed with soldiers of all grades, dressed in the varied uniforms -of all the European armies. Added to these were the swarms of the -servants of the aristocracy in their gorgeous liveries, and the people -crowding at all points of vantage to catch a momentary glimpse of the -military, sovereign, and diplomatic celebrities constantly shifting -within the permanent frame of the varying picture. Then, when night -came, the theatres, the cafés, the public resorts were filled with -animated crowds, apparently bent on pleasure only, while sumptuous -carriages rolled hither and thither, lighted up by torches borne by -footmen perched behind, or still preceded by runners, who had, however, -exchanged their canes for flambeaux. In almost every big thoroughfare -there was the sound of musical instruments discoursing joyous tunes. -Noise and bustle everywhere. - -Such, for over five months, was the picture represented by the city, a -picture of which only a poor idea can be conveyed by my feeble attempts -to reproduce some of its features. - -The immense number of strangers had soon invaded every available hotel -and private lodging. Many notabilities were obliged to take up their -quarters in the outskirts. Prices ruled exorbitantly high; in order to -judge of this I need only state that the rent of Lord Castlereagh’s -apartments was £500 per month--an unheard-of price in Vienna. It -was calculated that if the Congress lasted only four months, the -value of many houses would be paid to their proprietors in rent. I -should, perhaps, have been deprived of witnessing a scene which only -a chain of extraordinary circumstances could have brought about, and -which probably will not be renewed for many centuries to come; but -my intimate friend, Mr. Julius Griffiths, who had lived in Vienna -for several years, had anticipated my coming, and in his magnificent -residence on the Jaeger-Zeill, I found all the _comfort_ which he -had transported thither from his own country; both the word and the -condition of things it represented being little known throughout the -rest of Europe. - -Mr. Julius Griffiths, who ranks among the best educated of Englishmen, -has made himself widely known in the world of letters by works of -acknowledged merit. He has travelled all over the globe, and deserves -to be proclaimed the greatest traveller of his time. His social -qualities and his lofty sentiments have conferred the greatest honour -on the English character outside his native country. His friendship has -been for many years the source of my sweetest happiness. I am enabled -to confess with gratitude that he was instrumental in convincing me of -the mendacity of the precept, ‘not to try one’s friends if one wishes -to keep them.’ - -The thing I stood most in need of, after the first greetings of such -a sincere friend, was rest and quietude; hence, at the moment I did -not in the least resemble the ‘inquisitorial traveller’ mentioned by -Sterne, and I retired to enjoy that rest, most intensely conscious of -the delight of having reached port. In spite of this, sleep failed to -come. Too many thoughts came crowding in upon me; my mind was divided -between the pleasure of meeting once more with so dear a friend and -others scarcely less precious to me, and the hope of being a witness -of a scene which hitherto was without a precedent. Were I possessed of -the talent with which Dupaty has described his ‘Première nuit à Rome,’ -I should endeavour to paint the stirring emotions of this ‘first night’ -in Vienna. - -A volume of Shakespeare lay close at hand; I opened it at random and -read: ‘You who have not seen those feasts, you have lost the sight of -what is most brilliant of earthly glory. Those perfectly magnificent -scenes surpassed all that the imagination can invent. Each day outvied -the previous one, each morrow shamed the pomp of its eve. One day those -demi-gods on earth resplendent with precious stones and silken stuffs; -the next the same pomp more oriental than the orient itself. You should -have seen each world-ruler dazzling like a statue wrought of gold; -and the courtiers resplendent like their masters; and those dames so -delicate and so slight bend beneath the twofold burden of their pride -and their ornaments; those sovereigns, stars of like magnitude, mingle -their rays by their presence. No calumnious tongue dared wag, no eye -that was not dazzled by those sights. You should have witnessed also -the tournament and the heralds of arms, and the prowess of chivalry -displayed. The old history of our story-tellers has ceased to be -fabulous. Yes, henceforth I shall believe all that those story-tellers -have told us.’[14] - -Those lines from an immortal poet, I read again and again; and swayed -by those powerful impressions, I owed to them the conception of noting -down my recollections, convinced that in times to come, _i.e._ at a -period to which I looked forward courageously, I should be delighted to -refer to them as the sole food for my thoughts. - - - - -CHAPTER I - - The Prince de Ligne--His Wit and his Urbanity--Robinson Crusoe - --The Masked Ball and Rout--Sovereigns in Dominos--The - Emperor of Russia and the Prince Eugène--Kings and Princes - --Zibin--General Tettenborn--A Glance at his Military - Career--Grand Military Fête in Honour of Peace--The Footing - of Intimacy of the Sovereigns at the Congress--The Imperial - Palace--Death of Queen Maria Carolina of Naples--Emperor - Alexander--Anecdotes--Sovereign Gifts--Politics and - Diplomacy--The Grand Rout--The Waltz. - - -Speaking of the Great Wall of China, the famous Dr. Johnson said -somewhere that the grandson of a man who had caught a mere glimpse of -it might still be proud of the opportunity vouchsafed to his grandsire. -The exaggeration, Oriental like its subject, might strike me as -excusable if the drift of it were applied, not to a monument capable -of standing the test of ages, but to one of those men who appear at -long intervals, or in connection with events that change the face of -the world. Personally, I may confess to remaining more or less proud of -my presence at the Congress of Vienna, and of having been privileged -to see the many celebrities that forgathered there. But the most -gratifying recollection, and also the one dearest to my heart, is that -of the goodwill incessantly shown to me by the Prince de Ligne. For -over two months I had the happiness of being admitted to his greatest -intimacy, seeing him every day and at all hours, gathering from his -lips the clever sentences and spontaneous sallies which he so lavishly -dispensed. To-day, after many years, the indelible impression of his -personality tends to reanimate my recollections, and lends life to the -scenes I am endeavouring to reproduce. - -The Prince de Ligne[15] was then in his eightieth year; in spite of -this there is no exaggeration in saying that he had remained young. He -had preserved the amiable character and the fascinating urbanity which -had lent so much charm to his society. Hence the title of ‘the last of -French knights’ was unanimously accorded to him. - -At that period all the strangers, whether most celebrated in virtue -of their rank or of their mental qualities, nay, the sovereigns -themselves, made it a point, as it were, to show their reverence -for him. He was still possessed of that freshness of imagination -and inexhaustible, exquisite gaiety which had always distinguished -him. His humour, kindly withal, though somewhat satirical, was -principally directed at the really strange aspect the Congress began -to assume, pleasure being seemingly the most important business. -Amidst this general intoxication, amidst this uninterrupted series of -entertainments, banquets, and balls, it was certainly not the least -curious and interesting contrast to behold the imposing figure of the -old marshal, occupying no official position, yet eagerly welcomed -everywhere, and often painting the situation by an epigram, by a clever -and pertinent remark, which went the round in no time. - -The French were above all most eager for his society, and, in their -turn, could reckon on the most cordial welcome. His journey to the -French Court a few years previous to the Revolution had left the most -heartfelt recollections; and his letters to the Marquise de Coigny[16] -at that period show in every line his regret at being compelled to live -away from a country and a people that had inspired him with such an -ardent sympathy. In a word, the Prince de Ligne belonged to France both -by the nature of his worth and by the quality of his mind. - -My family having the honour of being allied to that of the Prince, -he presented me on my first visit to Vienna in 1807 at the Court -and everywhere as his cousin. From that moment until his death, his -courtesy and goodwill never failed me at any succeeding visit. I was -never tired of listening to him, and especially when his thoughts -reverted to bygone times, which he had so long and so closely observed. -He took delight in improving my mind with the treasures of his own, -and in enlightening my youthful inexperience with the counsels and -fruits of his own observation. Hence, to speak of the Prince de Ligne -is simply, on my part, the acquittal of a debt. As a matter of course, -my first call was due to him, and on the morrow of my arrival I made my -way to his home. - -‘You are just in time to see great doings,’ he said. ‘The whole of -Europe is in Vienna. The tissue of politics is embroidered with fêtes, -and inasmuch as at your age one is fond of joyous gatherings, balls, -and pleasure, I can assure you beforehand of a series of them, because -the Congress does not march to its goal; it dances. It is a royal -mob. From all sides there are cries of peace, justice, equilibrium, -indemnity; the last word being the new contribution of the Prince de -Bénévent to the diplomatic vocabulary. Heaven alone knows who shall -reduce this chaos to some semblance of order, and provide dams for the -torrent of various pretensions. As for me, I am only a well-meaning -and friendly spectator of the show. I shall claim nothing, unless -it be a hat to replace the one I am wearing out in saluting the -sovereigns I meet at every street-corner. Nevertheless, in spite of -Robinson Crusoe,[17] a general and lasting peace will no doubt be -concluded, for a feeling of concord has at length united the nations -which were so long inimical towards each other. Their most illustrious -representatives are already setting the example of it. We shall witness -a thing hitherto unheard of: pleasure will bring in its wake peace, -instead of strife.’ - -After this, he started asking me, with all the impetuosity of youth, -a series of questions with reference to Paris, my travels, and my own -plans, until he was interrupted by his servant informing him that his -carriage was at the door. - -‘You’ll come and dine with me to-morrow,’ he said; ‘and then we’ll go -to the grand rout and ball. You’ll see the most practical common-sense -of Europe wearing the motley of folly. When there I’ll explain to you -in a few moments the curiosities of that grand piece of living tapestry -composed of the most notable personages.’ - -The prince had kept to his habit of dining early: it was four o’clock -when I reached his pretty house on the Bastion. It contained but one -room on each story, hence he called it jocularly his ‘perch.’ His -friends knew it by the name of ‘L’hôtel de Ligne.’ Shortly after my -arrival he sat down to dinner, surrounded by his charming family.[18] -Candidly speaking, the repast, like the well-known suppers of Madame -de Maintenon, when she was still Widow Scarron, stood in need of the -magic of his conversation to make up for its more than scanty fare. And -although he himself ate nearly all the little dishes that were served, -his guests were so thoroughly engrossed and delighted as to be rendered -oblivious of the unsubstantial nature of the entertainment--until the -end of it. - -In the drawing-room we found some visitors; they were strangers of -distinction, who, called to Vienna from every coign and nook of Europe, -had craved an introduction to this living marvel of the previous -century. Their number also contained several ‘lion-hunters,’ obtruding -their presence from sheer curiosity, and for the sake of being enabled -to say: ‘I have seen the Prince de Ligne,’ or else for the purpose of -‘rubbing minds with him,’ by carefully picking up his anecdotes and his -sallies, which they afterwards hawked about, considerably disfigured, -among their own sets. - -Having quickly paid his voluntary toll in the shape of some witty or -polite remark to each of those groups, he left them, as if his task had -been fulfilled, and came up to his grandson, the Comte de Clary, with -whom I happened to be chatting. ‘I remember,’ he said, ‘having begun -one of my letters to Jean-Jacques Rousseau with a--“As you do not care, -Monsieur, either for demonstrative people or for demonstrations....” -A few notes couched in similar terms would not be out of place among -some of the notable people here this evening; but they are so inflated -with their own merit as to be unable to decipher their own addresses. -And as, moreover, they are most obstinate and difficult to shake off, -let us go and have a look at others where there will be a little more -elbow-room. The ball is waiting for us. Come along, my lads, I’ll give -you a lesson in taking your leave in French fashion.’ And this man, -extraordinary in every relation of life, flitting away with the light -step of a mere youth, suited the action to the word and positively -ran to his carriage, laughing all the while at the boyish trick and -at the disappointment of all those insipid talkers who merely courted -his society to make him listen to their vapid utterances. It was nine -o’clock when we reached the imperial palace, better known as the -Hofburg. - -That ancient residence had been specially chosen for those ingenious -_momons_, character-masques in which the incognito of the domino often -lent itself to political combinations in themselves masterpieces -of intrigue and conception. The principal hall was magnificently -lighted up, and running around it, there was a circular gallery giving -access to huge rooms arranged for supper. On seats, disposed like an -amphitheatre, there were crowds of ladies, some of whom merely wore -dominos, while the majority represented this or that character. It -would be difficult to imagine a scene more dazzling than this gathering -of women, all young and beautiful, and each attired in a style most -becoming to her beauty. All the centuries of the past, all the regions -of the inhabited globe seemed to have appointed to meet in that -graceful circle. - -Several orchestras executed at regular intervals valses and polonaises: -in adjoining galleries or rooms minuets were danced with particularly -Teutonic gravity, which feature did not constitute the least comic -part of the picture. - -The prince had spoken the truth. Vienna at that time presented an -abridged panorama of Europe, and the rout was an abridged panorama of -Vienna. There could be no more curious spectacle than those masked -or non-masked people, among whom, absolutely lost in the crowd, and -practically defying identification, circulated all the sovereigns at -that moment participating in the Congress. - -The prince had a story or anecdote about each. ‘There goes Emperor -Alexander. The man on whose arm he is leaning is Prince Eugène -Beauharnais, for whom he has a sincere affection. When Eugène arrived -here with his father-in-law, the King of Bavaria, the Court hesitated -about the rank to be accorded to him. The emperor spoke so positively -on the subject as to secure for Eugène all the honours due to his -generous character. Alexander, as you are aware, is worthy of inspiring -and of extending the deepest friendship. - -‘Do you know the tall and noble-looking personage whom that beautiful -Neapolitan girl is holding round the waist? It is the King of Prussia, -whose gravity appears in no wise disturbed by the fact. For all that -the clever mask may be an empress, on the other hand it is quite on the -cards that she is merely a grisette who has been smuggled in. - -‘That colossus in the black domino, which neither disguises nor -decreases his stature, is the King of Würtemberg.[19] The man close -to him is his son, the Crown Prince. His love for the Duchesse -d’Oldenbourg, Emperor Alexander’s sister, is the cause of his stay at -the Congress, rather than a concern for the grave interests which one -day will be his. It is a romantic story, the _dénouement_ of which we -may witness before long. - -‘The two young fellows who just brushed past us are the Crown Prince -of Bavaria and his brother, Prince Charles.[20] The latter’s face -would dispute the palm with that of Antinous. The crowd of people of -different kind and garb who are disporting themselves, in every sense -of the word, are, some, reigning princes, others archdukes, others -again grand dignitaries of this or that empire. For, except a few -Englishmen, easily picked out by their careful dress, I do not think -there is a single personage here without a “handle” to his name. - -‘This room in particular only represents a picture of pleasure, my dear -boy....’ - -The moment the prince left me to myself I began to wander about, and -if I had made a series of appointments, I could not have met with more -acquaintances hailing from Naples to St. Petersburg, and from Stockholm -to Constantinople. The variety of costume and languages was truly -astonishing. It was like a bazaar of all the nations of the world. -Honestly, I felt that for the first time in my life I was experiencing -the intoxication of a masked ball. My brain seemed to reel under the -spell of the incessant music, the secrecy of disguise, the atmosphere -of mystery by which it was surrounded, the general state of incognito, -the uncurbed and boundless gaiety, the force of circumstances, and the -irresistible seductiveness of the picture before me. I feel certain -that older and stronger heads than mine would have proved equally weak. - -In a short time I had quite a group of friends around me. - -Taking advantage of a moment when the Prince de Ligne was less hemmed -in, I begged of him not to worry about me for that evening, and flung -myself headlong into the whirl of gaiety, freedom from care, and -happiness, which seemed the normal condition of this extraordinary -gathering. - -By and by I met with more friends, and between us we ‘improved the -shining hours’ preceding the supper, when we sat down, about a score -in all, to wind up the joyous evening. As a matter of course, during -the first part of the repast I was plied with questions about my -doings since we had met, and I was scarcely less eager to question the -questioners. This or that one from whom I parted as a sub-lieutenant -had become a general; another who was an attaché when last I saw -him was now himself ambassador, and the majority were covered with -orders, conferred for their courage or their talent. And amidst the -general animation produced by the champagne, they took to recounting, -‘harum-scarum’ fashion, the happy circumstances to which they owed -their rapid promotion. - -Among those rapid and brilliant careers there was, however, none -that caused me greater surprise than that of Zibin. In 1812, when, -yielding to a desire for travel, I quitted Moscow to visit the Crimea, -Ukraine, and Turkey,[21] Zibin had been my companion. In that long -course across the steppes of Russia, his constant gaiety and his clever -sallies did much to beguile the tedium of the journey, and to revive -my courage. Eighteen months had scarcely gone by since our return from -Tauris and our parting at Tulczim, he to follow Countess Potocka to -St. Petersburg, I to make my way to the Duc de Richelieu at Odessa, -and thence to Constantinople. At that period, Zibin had not joined the -army; in spite of this, he was now a lieutenant-colonel, aide-de-camp -to General Ojarowski, and on his breast glittered several orders. - -Zibin had not been in St. Petersburg many days without becoming -aware that an idle life in society would not be conducive either to -consideration or glory; hence, he changed his civilian clothes for the -uniform of a non-commissioned officer of hussars. At the beginning of -the campaign he was made an ensign; a short time afterwards he got his -company. One day, his general commanded him to make a reconnaissance -with fifty Cossacks in order to bring back some malingerers. At a -couple of miles distance from the encampment, Zibin notices a black -mass hidden among the reeds. They turn out to be guns left by the enemy -before retreating. There were sixteen of them. The troops dismount, -the horses are put to the gun-carriages, and a few hours later Captain -Zibin returns in possession of a small but complete artillery park, -practically fished out of the marshes. - -The Emperor was not far away, and Zibin himself was instructed to -convey the particulars of his capture. Alexander read the report, and, -giving the young hussar the credit of a success solely due to chance, -conferred upon him there and then the rank of major, at the same time -taking from his own breast the Cross of St. George and fastening it -into the buttonhole of the freshly promoted officer. The rest was -mainly the natural consequence of this first piece of luck: new orders -were added to that one, and as it never rains but it pours, Zibin, -during the many leisure hours in camp, had gambled, and won not less -than four hundred thousand roubles. The Prince de Ligne was not far -wrong in saying that glory was a courtesan who gets hold of you when -you least expect it. - -Towards the end of the evening another lucky chance made me run up -against my excellent friend, General Tettenborn. ‘We have got a good -deal to tell each other,’ he said. ‘It’s of no use starting here. Let -us go and dine to-morrow by ourselves at the Augarten; it is the only -means of not being interrupted.’ - -Naturally, I accepted, and Tettenborn was punctual to the minute. - -‘Though as a rule, the Viennese restaurateurs do not give you a good -dinner,’ he began, ‘I happen to have been in their good books here for -many years, and Yan has promised to do his best.’ And in fact, quantity -made up for quality. When we got to the dessert, and some Tokay was put -before us, my friend at once began his interesting story. - -‘Since I saw you last, the events of my life have followed each other -in as quick a succession as the circumstances that gave them birth. You -are aware of my having accompanied Prince Schwartzenberg on his mission -to Paris. I was still there when the King of Rome was born, and I was -selected to carry the news to our emperor.’ - -‘Yes,’ I replied, ‘and I read in all the newspapers that you made that -journey of three hundred and twenty leagues [about nine hundred and -sixty miles] in four days and a half.’ - -‘That’s easily explained. As far as Strasburg, I had the race-horses -of the prince, and from the Austrian frontier I had the horses of his -brother, Prince Joseph, from stage to stage, as far as Vienna. - -‘I’ll spare you the particulars of my stay in Paris. It was a -perfect whirl of excitement from beginning to end. Society was the -brilliant reflex of the astounding prosperity of France, of her -numerous victories, and her enthusiasm for everything pertaining to -art. Our Austrian legation met with a specially cordial welcome. It -was a succession of entertainments similar to those you are seeing -here, but with different capitals for their _locale_. After having -accompanied Prince Schwartzenberg a second time, but on that occasion -to St. Petersburg, I exchanged the delightful life of society and -drawing-rooms for that of the barracks of my regiment, then quartered -at Buda. The transition could not have been more startling if I had -retired into a Trappist monastery, when suddenly the whole of Europe -breathed fire and flame. - -‘I was thirty-four years old, and although the first days of my youth -were not idly spent, chance has done more for me during the latter -period than I had reason to expect. My mind was soon made up. I decided -to go to the spot where the fire raged most fiercely, to embark upon -a life so entirely at variance with my former habits. I was living -with Baron de ----, a friend of my childhood, who was a major in my -regiment, and who like myself was calculating the few chances of rapid -promotion in the Austrian service. - -‘“This,” I said to him one morning, “is a unique opportunity to provide -for the future. Let us go to the Russians and offer them our swords as -partisans. This bids fair to be an easy and lucrative campaign, likely -to lead to many things by its quickly succeeding phases. Besides, it -is sometimes sweet to embark in adventures, and to trust everything to -fate. As for me, I have made up my mind to go. Will you, too, come?”[22] - -‘The decision of a moment in one’s life often shapes the rest of it. My -friend hesitated and left me to go alone. Alas, his regrets proved too -much for him.’[23] - -‘Yes,’ I replied, ‘I know he regretted it. The regret was intensified -by the news of your success, which the papers published in all its -detail. He practically lost his head over it, for on no other theory -can one account for his suicide, which, curiously enough, happened -while I was at Pesth, on my return from Constantinople. He blew out his -brains in a room next to my own at the inn where I was staying, and I -was told that despair and tardy regret had led him to commit the deed.’ - -‘No one has regretted this more than I,’ said Tettenborn, ‘for he was a -devoted friend as well as a distinguished officer. I have not the least -doubt that circumstances would have served him as well as they did me, -but one must go with the tide in order that the tide may carry you. -When I reached the Russian headquarters, I received orders to raise -a regiment. That was soon done, and they gave me the command of it. -Three months after I left Buda, I was a general, and empowered to grant -commissions equal in grade to that which I held when I turned my back -upon my garrison. The papers, perhaps, informed you how I got hold of -the private chest of Napoleon. A part of that immense loot came to my -share. An attempt to take Berlin by surprise, though it failed, brought -my name to the front. At the head of four regiments of cavalry, of two -squadrons of hussars, and of an equal number of dragoons, with only two -pieces of artillery, I marched on Hamburg. After several engagements, -the city surrendered on the 18th March 1813. The inhabitants received -me with the greatest enthusiasm, and I was, as others had been before -me, the hero of the hour. When appointed military governor of the -place, I rescinded the severe orders Marshal Davoust had deemed fit to -impose. The grateful Hamburgers conferred upon me the freedom of their -city, and sent me the document to that effect in a magnificent golden -casket. - -‘Events have marched very rapidly, and by their side strode glory and -rewards. I have had most of the military orders bestowed upon me, and -now the allied sovereigns have still further shown their good-will by -presenting me with an estate consisting of two convents in Westphalia, -the rent-roll of which will certainly amount to no less than forty -thousand florins. Those various bits of success have had the happy -result of reducing my affairs to something like order; and, inasmuch -as there comes in every man’s life a period for settling down, I, my -friend, am going to get married. I simply worship my future wife. There -are no regrets about the past, there is no fear about the future, and -as far as I can foresee, I’ll let fate take care henceforth of my -existence. And albeit the _dénouement_ may appear somewhat abrupt to -you, you will admit, I feel certain, that the story promises to be none -the less happy.’ - -‘At which happiness, my dear general, all your friends will rejoice.’ - -The narrative, which I have abridged here, was, however, recounted at -much greater length, and in yielding to the fascination of this cordial -and confidential talk we had let the time slip by, and the clock struck -nine when we reached the Carlenthor theatre. The performance consisted -of Haydn’s celebrated oratorio ‘The Creation.’ The house, lighted up -by countless wax candles, and the private boxes sumptuously draped, -presented a magnificent sight. Several of these boxes had been set -apart for the sovereigns, others were filled with the members of the -Corps Diplomatique. As for the floor of the house (_le parterre_), it -was crowded to such an extent with people blazing with orders that -it might safely have been described as a parterre of knights, just -as the floor of the theatre at Erfurt had been called a parterre of -kings and princes. ‘In the presence of such a number of ribands,’ said -Tettenborn, ‘it would be hazardous to conclude that they are all due to -merit.’ - -‘Signal distinctions, my dear general,’ I replied, ‘are like the -Pyramids; only two species can attain them, reptiles and eagles.’ - -‘I’ll be with you to-morrow at ten,’ said General Tettenborn when we -parted, ‘and we’ll go together to the grand military fête in honour of -the peace. Before laying down their arms, the sovereigns wish to offer -their thanks to Providence for the great favours vouchsafed to them.’ - -Sharp to the minute, like an Austrian _Rittmeister_ (cavalry-captain), -Tettenborn was at my door. It was a bright and mild October morning, -and shortly afterwards we were galloping towards the gentle slope -between the New and the Burg Gates. On our way we fell in with some -acquaintances, attracted thither, like myself, by curiosity. Tettenborn -wore his general’s brilliant uniform; a profusion of military orders -on his breast certainly attested the kindness of Dame Fortune, but -also her discrimination in having favoured him. Immediately on our -reaching the ground, he was obliged to leave us in order to join the -suite of Emperor Alexander, but I remained surrounded by friends, and -advantageously placed to observe all the particulars of that beautiful -function. Although in an essentially military epoch similar solemnities -had often been seen, I doubt if that one was ever equalled with regard -to its _ensemble_ and its majestic pomp. The war, the terrible struggle -the relentlessness and duration of which had astounded the world, was -just at an end. The glory-compelling giant was, if not vanquished, at -any rate overcome by numbers; and the intoxication and the enthusiasm -consequent upon the success were sufficient to prove the strength of -the adversary and the unexpected joy of the triumph. - -Several battalions of infantry, many regiments of cavalry, among others -the Schwartzenberg Uhlans, and the cuirassiers of the Grand-Duke -Constantine, the brother of Alexander and the sometime Viceroy of -Poland, were massed on an immense field. All these troops wore most -brilliant uniforms. - -The sovereigns came on the ground on horseback, and the soldiery formed -a huge double square, in the centre of which stood a vast tent, or -rather a temple erected in honour of the general pacification. The -columns supporting the structure were decorated with panoplies of arms, -and with standards fluttering in the breeze. The lawn immediately -around was strewn with flowers and foliage. In the middle of the tent -there was an altar covered with rich cloths, and set out with all the -ornaments of the Roman Catholic ritual, magnificently chased, either in -gold or silver. Countless wax tapers shed their light, somewhat subdued -by the rays of the sun standing brilliantly in the sky. Red Damascus -carpets covered the steps of the altar. - -Shortly afterwards there was a long string of open court carriages, -each drawn by four horses, and containing the empresses, queens, and -archduchesses, who on alighting seated themselves in velvet-covered -chairs. When everybody had taken up the position assigned to them--the -crowd of military, courtiers, equerries and pages constituting -a matchless spectacle--the venerable Archbishop of Vienna, who, -notwithstanding his great age, had insisted upon officiating, performed -High Mass. Practically the whole of the Vienna population had repaired -to the spot to enjoy the spectacle. - -At the moment of blessing the Bread and the Wine, the guns thundered -forth a salute to the God of Hosts. Simultaneously, all those warriors, -princes, kings, soldiers, and generals fell on their knees, prostrating -themselves before Him in whose hands rests victory or defeat. The -feeling of reverence had evidently communicated itself to the huge mass -of spectators, who spontaneously bared their heads and also knelt in -the dust. The cannons became once more silent, and their thunder was -succeeded by a solemn hush, amidst which the high priest of the Lord -raised the sign of the Redemption, and turned towards the army to -confer the supreme benediction. The religious ceremony was at an end. -Amidst the clanking of swords and the rattling of muskets, the huge -gathering rose to its feet; and then a choir intoned in German the hymn -of peace, which was accompanied by an orchestra of wind instruments. -Without any pre-meditation the strains were taken up by the voices -of the numberless spectators. No human ear ever heard anything more -imposing than this spontaneous and harmonic praise of peace and the -glory of the Highest. That hymn of gratitude and adoration rising upon -the air amidst the smoking incense, the thunder of the artillery, -the ringing of the bells of all the churches; the princes surrounded -by their resplendent staffs, the multi-coloured uniforms, the arms, -glittering breastplates, and sombre bronze of the cannons lighted up -by the brilliant sun; the white-haired priest blessing from before -his altar the prostrate crowd; the mingling of the symbols of war and -peace--constituted a unique picture not likely to be seen again, and -which no painter’s brush, however powerful, could adequately reproduce. -It constituted a poetical and sublime sight, baffling description. - -After the religious ceremony, the sovereigns and all the princesses -took up a position on a knoll near the Burg Gate, the troops marched -past, the Grand-Duke Constantine and the other princes at the head of -their own regiments. The air rang; with unanimous cheers and wishes -for the consolidation of peace, that first and foremost necessity -of peoples. Such, sketched in brief, was the fête invested with -a particular character and fitting in so well with the series of -magnificent pageants and dazzling entertainments. The Austrian Court, -in fact, dispensed the hospitality of its capital to its guests with -truly fabulous pomp. Memory almost fails to recall, for the purpose of -recording, all the brilliant details. The imagination is virtually -powerless to reconstruct the dazzling splendour of the picture as a -whole. - -To beguile the leisure of those kings who, it would be thought, ought -to have been surfeited with the counterfeits of battles, twenty -thousand picked grenadiers had been quartered at Vienna. There was, -moreover, the announcement of a camp to be formed of sixty thousand -troops with a view of having grand manœuvres. The superb ‘nobiliary -guards’ had been considerably increased by the joining of young men -belonging to the most distinguished families of the monarchy. The whole -of the troops had been provided with new uniforms: there was an evident -desire to remove all traces of warfare, so as not to sadden those -participating in the feasts and entertainments exclusively designed to -celebrate peace and to promote pleasure. - -All the stud farms of Germany had been requested to send their most -magnificent horses. The grand dignitaries of the crown held ‘open -house’ each day for the eminent personages of the suites of the various -sovereigns. The Court had invited the Paris Opera dancers of both -sexes to come to Vienna; and the Austrian Imperial Company had also -been reinforced. The most celebrated actors of Germany had likewise -been ‘commanded,’ and they appeared in new pieces, appropriate to the -universal rejoicing, and calculated to prevent that joy from getting -fagged. - -Emperor Franz had thrown open his palace to his illustrious guests. At -a rough calculation, the imperial residence held, at that particular -moment, two emperors, a similar number of empresses, four kings, one -queen, two heirs to thrones (one royal, the other imperial), two -grand-duchesses, and three princes. The young family of the emperor had -to be relegated to Schönbrunn. Attracted by the novelty of all this, -an immense crowd surrounded the palace at all hours, eager to catch a -glimpse of the members of a gathering unique in the annals of history. - -The Viennese seemed justly proud of having had their city selected -for the holding of these grandiose states-general. In fact, the -forgathering in the self-same capital of the first powers of Europe -constituted one of the most extraordinary events of all the ages. -The Congresses of Münster, of Ryswick, and Utrecht had only been -plenipotentiary conferences. One had to go back for three centuries, as -far as 1515, to find a similar assembly of crowned heads, when in that -same city of Vienna Maximilian had entertained the Kings of Hungary, -Bohemia, and Poland. And it was remembered that the presence of these -monarchs had been attended with the most salutary results to the -grandeur of Germany. - -In order to convey an idea of the expenses of the Austrian Court, it -will suffice to say that the imperial table cost fifty thousand florins -per day. This was keeping ‘open table’ with a vengeance. Hence, it is -not surprising that the extraordinary expenses of the fêtes of the -Congress, during the five months of its duration, amounted to forty -millions of francs. It remains to be asked whether the purport of that -great gathering, and the gravity of the circumstances, justified such -joyous lavishness immediately after the termination of a war which had -lasted for a quarter of a century and which seemed to have dried up the -sources of wealth and of pleasure? - -If we add to the expenses of the Court those of more than seven hundred -envoys, we may get something like an accurate idea of the extraordinary -consumption of all things in Vienna, and of the immense quantity of -money put into circulation. In fact, the influx of strangers was such -as to increase the prices of all commodities, and especially of wood -for fuel, to an incredible degree. As a consequence, the Austrian -Government was obliged to grant supplementary salaries to all its -employés. - -In the long run, the imagination was at fault in projecting new -entertainments for each day: banquets, concerts, shooting parties, -masked balls and musical rides. Following the example of the head of -their noble family, the princes of the House of Austria had distributed -among themselves the various parts of hosts, in order to entertain -their company of illustrious guests with becoming pomp and dignity. -There was such a dread of an interruption of those pleasures as to -prevent the Court from going into mourning for Queen Maria-Caroline -of Naples.[24] It should be said, though, that this last daughter of -Maria-Theresa ended her life before the arrival of the sovereigns. -To save appearances, they avoided notifying her demise officially, -lest the sombre hues of mourning should cast a sad note on gatherings -devoted exclusively to joy and freedom from care. - -The intercourse of the sovereigns was marked by a condition of -unparalleled intimacy. They vied in showing reciprocal friendliness, -attentions, and in anticipating each other’s wishes. Not a day went -by without interviews conducted with a cordial frankness worthy of -the age of chivalry. Were they bent upon disproving all that had been -said about the want of mutual understanding, the ambitious views, the -motives of personal interest which generally distinguish a congress of -crowned heads? Or did they yield to the novelty and charm of a mode of -living and a feeling of brotherhood contrasting so forcibly with the -frigid etiquette of their Courts? - -In order to avoid the restraint of a rigorous ceremonial and of -questions of precedence, it had been arranged between them that age -alone should decide points of priority in everything, at their entering -and leaving apartments, at the promenades on horseback, and in their -carriage drives. The decision, it was said, was due to the initiative -of Emperor Alexander. The following are the ranks as they were settled -according to age:-- - - 1. The King of Würtemberg, born in 1754. - 2. The King of Bavaria, born in 1756. - 3. The King of Denmark, born in 1768. - 4. The Emperor of Austria, born in 1768. - 5. The King of Prussia, born in 1770. - 6. The Emperor of Russia, born in 1777. - -This precedence was, however, only observed in the pleasure parties. As -for the official deliberations of the Congress, the sovereigns did not -attend any. - -One of their first acts of courtesy was the reciprocal bestowal of the -badges and stars of their Orders. Those various decorations of all -shapes and denominations became a positive puzzle, for besides a long -list of the saints of the calendar, there were some of the strangest -names, like _the Elephant_, _the Phœnix_, _the Black, Red, and White -Eagles_, _the Sword_, _the Star_, _the Lion_, _the Fleece_, _the Bath_, -etc. This exchange was the prelude to others somewhat more important, -such as the presents of kingdoms, provinces, or a certain number -of inhabitants. One of the ceremonies of that kind most frequently -referred to was the investment by Lord Castlereagh, on behalf of his -sovereign, of the Emperor of Austria with the Order of the Garter. The -Prince de Ligne, who was one of the eyewitnesses, told me that this -solemnity was conducted with much pomp and circumstance. Sir Isaac -Heard, Garter Principal King of Arms, came expressly from London. -It was he who invested the Emperor with the dress of the Order, and -attached that much coveted insignia; after which Lord Castlereagh -presented the latest recipient with the statutes of the Order. As a fit -acknowledgment of the courtesy, the Emperor conferred on the Prince -Regent and the Duke of York, his brother, the rank of field-marshal. - -After having exhausted the series of their decorations, the sovereigns -began bestowing upon each other the colonelcies of the various -regiments of their armies. When the honour had been bestowed, the -recipient made it a point of appearing almost immediately in the -uniform of his regiment. Models were produced in hot haste, for it was -essential that not a button should be wanting. Tailors, escorted by -favourite aides-de-camp, immediately reconnoitred the ground, called -upon the possessors of those precious regimentals, and took note of -the minutest details in connection with them; after which the work -commenced--a pacific labour, notwithstanding its bellicose appearance, -to be terminated by the production of a complete dress from the spur of -the boot to the obligatory plume of feathers. - -In accordance with these prescriptions, the Emperor of Austria -conferred upon his ‘good brother’ the Emperor of Russia, the Hiller -Regiment, and upon the Crown Prince of Würtemberg that of the -Blankenstein Hussars. Alexander returned the compliment by the bestowal -of one of his regiments of the Russian Imperial Guards; and to show -the importance he attached to the gift he had received, he desired -personally to present his new soldiers with their standard. This -standard had been magnificently embroidered by the Empress of Austria. -It displayed the words: ‘Indissoluble Union between the Emperors -Alexander and Franz.’ The regiment was drawn up in battle order on one -of the lawns of the Prater; a great crowd had gathered to witness the -ceremony, and Alexander, after receiving the colour from the hands of -the Empress of Austria, advanced towards the troops and presented it. -‘Soldiers,’ he said, ‘remember that it is your duty to die in defence -of this and in defence of your Emperor and of your colonel, Alexander -of Russia.’ It will be easily understood that words like these from -the lips of the Czar, who at that period was as handsome as he was -chivalrous, were calculated to arouse the enthusiasm of the soldiers to -whom they were addressed and of the numerous spectators privileged to -listen to them. - -On the morning after this ceremony Alexander went on foot to -Field-Marshal Prince de Schwartzenberg’s, dressed in his new -regimentals, the only decoration on his breast being the metal cross of -the Military Order of the Austrian Army. To please General Hiller, his -new titular chief, he made him a present of ten thousand florins, and -in addition sent a thousand florins to each of his officers. - -The habits of the sovereigns were those of private individuals. It was -evident that they were only too pleased to shake off the burden of -etiquette. Very often the Emperor of Austria and the King of Prussia -were to be seen strolling about the streets arm-in-arm and dressed in -mufti. Emperor Alexander similarly often took walks with Prince Eugène. - -They paid each other visits and prepared surprises for one another -like cordial friends of old standing; in a word, royal good-fellowship -reigned throughout. On Emperor Franz’s fête-day[25] Emperor Alexander -and the King of Prussia bethought themselves of surprising him as he -left his bed, and made him a present, the one of a dressing-gown lined -with Russian sable, the other of a handsome silver basin and ewer -of exquisite workmanship and made in Berlin. The accounts of those -cordially intimate scenes found their way to the public and formed the -subject of general conversation. - -Foremost among those sovereigns shone the King of Bavaria, the King -of Denmark, and the Emperor of Russia: the first in virtue of his -kindness, the second in virtue of his brilliant and subtle repartees, -the third in virtue of his courtesy and affable manners. Of all the -foreign princes, Frederick[26] was the most assiduous visitor to the -monuments and public institutions of the capital; and wherever he went, -he left traces of his liberality. As for Alexander, he never missed an -opportunity of showing the delightful grace of manner which at that -time won all hearts. - -During a promenade on horseback in the Prater, the Emperor of Austria, -wishing to dismount for a moment, looked round in vain for some one of -his suite, from which he had got separated by the crowd. Alexander, -guessing his intention, nimbly jumped off his horse and held out his -hand to his fellow-sovereign, just as on a memorable occasion the -Great Frederick held the stirrup of Joseph II. As a matter of course, -the little scene drew unanimous cheers from all sides, showing the -appreciation of the crowd for the gracious impromptu. - -On another occasion, at a review, a number of people pressed around -Alexander, eager to catch a glimpse of his face. A countryman seemed -even more anxious than the rest, trying to elbow his way through the -serried mass. Alexander caught sight of him. ‘Friend,’ he said, ‘you -wished to see the Emperor of Russia; now you can say that you have -spoken to him.’ - -To the foreign visitors, an easy life like this, constantly enhanced -by entertainments, really constituted a delightful existence. In -order fitly to celebrate that memorable gathering, Vienna appeared -determined to increase the programme of recreations it generally -afforded. Situated in the centre of Southern Germany, the city -provided, as it were, an oasis of delightful calm and ‘happy-go-lucky’ -leisure amidst the grave, scientific, and philosophical occupations -of the neighbouring countries. Wholly given up to the pleasure of the -senses, its existence was composed of fêtes, banquets, dances, and -above all, music. It had pressed into its service as an auxiliary -that excellent wine of Hungary, calculated to give an extra zest to -rejoicings of all kinds. Thus provided, it glided smoothly on, allowing -itself to be governed with the gentle impassiveness bred of material -satisfaction. - -Strangers are generally well treated in Vienna. The inhabitants are -cordially hospitable; the authorities conciliatory and frank. In return -for this, strangers are only asked to abstain from speaking or acting -against the Government. On those conditions the welcome never fails; -but woe to the stranger who transgresses those laws of prudence. He -immediately gets a little note inviting him to present himself next -morning before the magistrate entrusted with the police supervision of -the capital. In the sweetest tones imaginable he receives a hint of his -passport ‘not being quite in order’ and that by this time the business -which brought him to the city must be terminated. In vain does he -remonstrate, and protest his loyalty to all constituted authorities. In -vain does he insist upon his simple wish to enjoy the sweet life of the -capital. It is all ineffectual, he is bound to depart. - -This, at normal periods, is the method of the Vienna police. It is, -however, easy to understand that at the time of the Congress, and amid -so many questions of intense interest, it would have been difficult -to prevent political speculation and conversation. Fortunately, the -Austrian Government found a powerful auxiliary in the general pursuit -of pleasure. In reality, little or no attention was paid to diplomatic -discussions. With the exception of some idlers or journalists who -had selected the Graben for their meeting-place and rostrum, society -was engrossed with the pleasures of the fête of the hour, or with -preparations for that of the next day. - -[Illustration: COUNT NESSELRODE.] - -The utmost secrecy was observed with regard to the deliberations taking -place at the official residence of the Chancellor of State. M. de -Metternich presided at these. His colleagues had wished to bestow that -honour upon him in recognition of the gracious hospitality accorded -to them. It had been agreed, however, that the chairmanship implied -no supremacy in favour of the Austrian crown. The plenipotentiaries -were: for Russia, the Comte de Nesselrode[27] and the Baron de Stein; -for France, the Prince de Talleyrand and the Duc de Dalberg; for -Prussia, the Prince d’Hardemberg; for Austria, M. de Metternich; for -Würtemberg, the Comte de Wintzingerode; for Bavaria, the Prince de -Wrède; for Spain, the Chevalier de Labrador; for Portugal, the Duc -de Palmella; for Sicily, the Commandeur Alvaro Ruffo; and for Naples, -the Duc de Campochiaro. What happened at those most secret sittings of -these famous diplomatists? It is not my province to speculate upon the -subject; it belongs to posterity to appreciate the grave results. - -Meanwhile the sovereigns generally spent their mornings in reviewing -the troops at parades, and at shooting-parties, either at the Prater -or at this or that royal demesne. On the other hand, they forgathered -every day for an hour before dinner, and were supposed to discuss the -subjects that had occupied the attention of their plenipotentiaries. -The carping outside world maintained, however, that politics were -the thing least talked of in that august Olympian assembly, and that -the announcement of a forthcoming pleasure party more often than not -monopolised the conversation. Business was ousted and the gods became -simple mortals. - -Of all the entertainments at the Austrian Court, the most brilliant -were unquestionably the grand routs at the Imperial Palace. Thanks to -the Prince de Ligne, I was privileged to see the smaller masked rout on -the occasion of the arrival of the Emperor of Russia and the King of -Prussia. At the latter kind of reception, the sovereigns either wore -masks or remained nominally incognito by other means. At the grand -routs, on the contrary, they appeared in all their brilliancy and -displaying all their orders, while the princesses blazed with diamonds. - -I was unable to witness the first of those grand routs, hence I became -most anxious not to miss the second. The excellent Prince de Ligne -once more undertook to introduce me and to be my guide; and together -we made our way to the Burg. The sovereigns had as yet not made their -appearance. I had therefore ample time to feast my eyes upon the -unique sight before me, which after many years I still consider the -most dazzling _ensemble_ I ever saw, in the matchless splendour of -its decorations, the richness and variety of the dresses, and the -illustrious conditions of the personages. To the grand hall had been -added two adjacent smaller ones, connected by a gallery. The hall -originally set apart for the smaller routs had also been thrown open. -Finally, the Imperial Riding-school, a masterpiece of architecture, had -been transformed into a ball-room. To enumerate all the particulars -of the interior decorations would be practically an impossible task. -The staircases and the galleries were positively covered with a -profusion of flowers and plants, the latter of the rarest description. -The principal drawing-room was reached by an avenue of orange-trees; -immense candelabra, holding wax tapers and placed between the boxes, -lustres, with thousands of crystal drops, shed a fantastic light -amidst the foliage of those splendid trees, throwing into relief their -branches and blossoms. The small hall was decorated with huge baskets -of flowers, the blending of whose colours invested the whole with the -appearance of a fairy garden. The hangings were of some silk material -of the purest white, set off by silver ornaments. The seats were -upholstered in velvet and gold. From seven to eight thousand wax tapers -shed a light more brilliant than that of day. Finally, the strains of -several bands heightened the effect of that marvellous spectacle. - -In the riding-school a platform had been prepared for the sovereigns. -It was decorated with panoplies and standards, and, as in the grand -hall, its hangings were of white silk fringed with silver. - -The diversity of uniforms, the profusion of orders and decorations -were, however, as nothing to the gathering of charming women. If it was -true that at the particular moment Europe was represented at Vienna -by her celebrities in every walk of life, it was equally certain that -female beauty had not been excluded in deference to fame. Never did a -city hold within its walls as many remarkable women as did the capital -of Austria during the six months of the Congress. - -Suddenly there was a blast of trumpets; the sovereigns made their -entrance conducting the empresses, queens, and archduchesses. After -having made the round of the hall amidst general acclamations, they -proceeded to the riding-school and took their seats on the platform. -In the first row there were the Empresses of Austria and Russia, the -Queen of Bavaria and the Grande-Duchesse d’Oldenbourg, the well-beloved -sister of Alexander, whose likeness to Alexander was so striking. Then -came the Archduchess Beatrice, Grand-Duchess of Saxe-Weimar. - -The seats on the right and left were occupied by the galaxy of women -who at that moment disputed the palm of beauty and elegance with each -other: the Princesse de la Tour et Taxis, the Comtesse de Bernsdorff, -the Princesse de Hesse-Philippstal, in all the splendour of her -imposing and statuesque loveliness; her two daughters, bidding fair -to rival their mother; the Comtesse d’Apponyi, tall and lithe, with -most expressive eyes; the Princesses Sapieha and Lichtenstein, whose -beauty was of a more regular and gentler cast; the Comtesse Cohari, -the Princesses Paul Esterhazy and Bagration; the daughters of Admiral -Sidney Smith;[28] the Comtesse Zamoyska, _née_ Czartoryska, tall, fair, -with a skin of dazzling whiteness, who in herself virtually represented -every kind of Polish female beauty. There were many more whose names -and portraits will often recur in these _Recollections_. - -Meanwhile, to the sound of inspiriting dance strains, there entered -a group of masked children in fancy dress, who performed a Venetian -pantomime, followed by an extensive ballet. The expressive attitudes, -the varied evolutions and steps of those youthful performers seemed to -afford great enjoyment to the illustrious spectators. - -After the departure of the sovereigns the bands struck up a series of -waltz tunes, and immediately an electric current seemed to run through -the immense gathering. Germany is the country that gave birth to the -waltz; it is there, and above all in Vienna, that, thanks to the -musical ear of the inhabitants, that dance has acquired all the charm -inherent in it. It is there that one ought to watch the apparently -whirl-like course, though in reality regulated by the beat of the -music, in which the man sustains and carries away his companion, while -she yields to the spell with a vague expression of happiness tending -to enhance her beauty. It is difficult to conceive elsewhere the -fascination of the waltz. As soon as its strains rise upon the air, the -features relax, the eyes become animated, and a thrill of delight runs -through the company. The graceful gyrations of the dancers, at first -somewhat confused, gradually assume accurately timed movements, while -the spectators whom age condemns to immobility beat time and rhythm, -mentally joining in the pleasure which is bodily denied to them. - -The pen fails to reproduce that enchanting scene of beauteous women -covered with flowers and diamonds, yielding to the irresistible strains -of the harmony, and being carried away in the strong arms of their -partners until sheer fatigue compelled them to pause. The pen fails to -reproduce the magnificent sight, to which daylight streaming through -the windows put an end. - - - - -CHAPTER II - - The Drawing-rooms of the Comtesse de Fuchs--The Prince Philip - of Hesse-Homburg--George Sinclair--The Announcement of - a Military Tournament--The Comtesse Edmond de Périgord-- - General Comte de Witt--Letters of Recommendation--The - Princesse Pauline--The Poet-functionary and Fouché. - - -Among the most distinguished women of Austrian society was the Comtesse -Laure de Fuchs, of whom the numerous visitors to Vienna during the -Congress have preserved the most delightful recollection. Graceful -and witty, she conveyed the highest idea in her own person of the -courtesy of her country. Foreigners considered it a signal honour to be -admitted to her receptions. In 1808 and 1812, I, and the few Frenchmen -who were in Vienna at this period, met with the most cordial welcome -on her part. Among those who composed her most intimate circle, all -the members of which were friends, special mention ought to be made -of the Comtesse Pletemberg, her sister, the wife of the reigning -comte of that name; the Duchesses de Sagan and d’Exerenza, and Madame -Edmond de Périgord,[29] a niece, by marriage, of Prince de Talleyrand. -They were all three born Princesses de Courlande, and were called the -Three Graces. In addition to these, there were the Chanoinesse Kinski, -belonging to one of the most illustrious families of Hungary; the Duc -de Dalberg, one of the French plenipotentiaries; Marshal Walmoden, the -three Comtes de Pahlen,[30] the Prince Philip of Hesse-Homburg, the -Prince Paul Esterhazy, subsequently Austrian ambassador to the Court of -St. James; the Prince Eugène de Beauharnais, the Russian general Comte -de Witt,[31] M. de Gentz,[32] the secretary of the Congress, and the -intimate friend of M. de Metternich; General Nostiltz, the clever man -of letters; Varnhagen (von Ense), the poet Carpani, Doctor Koreff, the -Baron d’Ompteda, former minister of Westphalia at Vienna, whom the fall -of his sovereign had left without an embassy, and who attended this -great diplomatic Sanhedrim as a simple amateur. - -A sweet and gentle animation pervaded those gatherings, which were -never interrupted by irritating political discussions. With her -charming grace, the countess imposed on all her friends a law of mutual -intimacy; consequently, they unanimously bestowed on her the title of -their _queen_, a title she had accepted, and which she bore with a kind -of serious dignity. - -Her family as well as the number of her friends had increased during -my absence from Vienna. The former were growing into beautiful beings, -the latter, of whom she gave me some short biographical sketches, were -as devoted as ever. Fortune, thanks to the rapidly succeeding events -of the last few years, had forgotten none of them. All had become -generals, ambassadors, or ministers. - -The one to whom I felt most attracted was the Prince of Hesse-Homburg, -then occupying a rank far distant from his exalted position of to-day. -Parity of age, of tastes and of ideas drew me towards him. Like many -of the princes of German sovereign houses, his fame was solely due to -himself. - -Having joined the army at fifteen, he became a prisoner of the French -in one of the first wars of the Revolution, and was taken to Paris, -where he was confined in the Luxembourg. He had the luck to have his -life spared. Some time afterwards there was an exchange of prisoners, -and he resumed his military career. All his grades were conferred upon -him for distinguished services in the field, and at the period of which -I am treating he was numbered among the most meritorious generals of -the Austrian army. - -When, subsequently, he became a field-marshal, he was sent to the -Emperor of Russia, during the latter’s campaign against the Turks -in 1828. To-day (1820) as Landgrave of Hesse-Homburg, Prince Philip -is respected and worshipped by his subjects, whose happiness is his -foremost thought. - -Mme. de Fuchs asked me if I had seen anything more of George Sinclair, -the young Englishman whose adventure with the Emperor Napoleon had at -first drawn attention to him in Vienna, a few days before the battle of -Jena. Mr. George Sinclair, who was on his way to Austria, was arrested -by French scouts, and taken to headquarters on the suspicion of being a -spy. - -‘Whence came you, and whither are you going?’ asked the Emperor in a -tone which foreshadowed a death-sentence. Sinclair, who spoke French -with great facility, answered as briefly. ‘I have come from the -University of Jena, and am going to Vienna, where letters and orders -from my father, Sir John Sinclair, are awaiting me.’ - -‘Sir John Sinclair who has written frequently on agricultural -questions?‘[33] - -‘Yes, sire.’ - -The Emperor said a few words to Duroc, and continued his interrogatory -in a kindlier tone. Mr. Sinclair, who was barely eighteen, was -exceedingly well versed in geography and history. His conversation -fairly astonished Napoleon, who, after talking with him for a couple of -hours, ordered Duroc to give him an escort as far as the outposts, and -to let him resume his journey. It was altogether an unexpected favour, -and wholly due to his own worth. - -I had practically lost sight of him altogether, but I knew that after -a journey through Italy he had entered Parliament, where he had become -one of the followers of his friend Sir Francis Burdett, and had gained -a brilliant reputation as a speaker in the Opposition. - -Two events of a wholly different order occupied people’s minds at -that moment: the future destiny of the kingdom of Saxony, and the -announcement of a musical ride, a fête of knightly prowess which was -contemplated from the very first days of the Congress, and was to -take place in the Imperial Riding-school. Saxony came in for a scant -part of the conversation, but the preparations for the tournament -were discussed at great length. It was to be one of the most -magnificent entertainments hitherto projected, and there were frequent -consultations of the printed and engraved descriptions of the famous -_carrousels_ of Louis XIV., which were to be eclipsed in splendour. - -The Comtesse Edmond de Périgord, one of the twenty-four ladies who were -to preside at the fête, told us that the dresses which were being -prepared for it would surpass in richness everything that had been -handed down concerning the elegance and the splendour of the Court -ladies of the Grand Monarque. - -‘I really believe that we shall be able to display all the pearls and -diamonds of Hungary, Bohemia, and Austria combined,’ she said. ‘There -is not a relative or friend of these ladies whose jewel-case has not -been laid under contribution; and this or that heirloom in the way of -precious stones, which has not seen the light of day for a century, -will glitter on the dress of one of us.’ - -‘As for the knights,’ said the young Comte de Woyna, ‘in default of -gorgeous dresses, they’ll certainly have magnificent horses. You’ll -behold them go through evolutions and dance minuets with as much grace -as the most nimble gentlemen of the Court.’ - -After this there was some animated conversation about the colours of -the different quadrilles, and the supposed skill of the champions. -Mottoes were quoted, and the ladies tried to get at their hidden -meaning. The excellent King of Saxony and his states were absolutely -forgotten; their cause had to make way for the more important -discussion. - -On leaving Mme. de Fuchs’s, I caught sight on the Graben of General -Comte de Witt--a piece of luck, for the meeting reminded me of those -happy and delightful days I had spent in Ukraine, at the hospitable and -magnificent domain of Tulczim, the home of the Comtesse Potocka, the -comte’s mother. - -The only son of the first marriage of his handsome mother with General -Comte de Witt, the descendant of the Grand Referendary of Holland, -Comte de Witt’s military career was as rapid as it was brilliant. -A soldier from his childhood, he was a colonel at sixteen, and at -eighteen commanded one of the most splendid regiments in Europe, -namely, the cuirassiers of the Empress. The campaigns of the last -three years had given him excellent opportunities of distinguishing -himself. In six weeks he had raised and equipped at his own cost, and -on his mother’s property, four regiments of Cossacks, which he had -taken to the Emperor, who made him a lieutenant-general, and entrusted -him with the organisation of the military colonies. In 1828, in the war -against the Turks, he re-entered the service and commanded the army -of reserve. After the Peace of Varna, there was every prospect of his -happiness, when death removed him unexpectedly and at an early age. - -Comte de Witt had married the Princesse Josephine Lubomirska, one -of the most distinguished women of Europe. Charming and graceful, -her quick and well-read intellect only equalled by her inexhaustible -kindness--such was the portrait of the Comtesse de Witt traced by all -those who had the privilege of coming in contact with her. - -Mme. de Fuchs had kept up the habit of supping, a habit so dear to our -fathers, and the disappearance of which is so much regretted by those -who are fond of joyous, frank, and unrestrained conversation, inspired -by the gaiety of the moment. - -At one of those gatherings I had been placed close to the Comte de Witt. - -That same morning I had had a strange visit. I was just stepping out -of bed when told that a young Frenchman wished to speak to me. The -caller turns out to be a man of good appearance, who presents me with a -small parcel he is carrying. ‘This,’ he says, ‘is a letter M. Rey, the -advocate with whom you dined at M. de Bondy’s, the Prefect at Lyons, -has asked me to hand you.’ While I motion him to be seated I open the -epistle, in which M. Rey, after the usual greetings, asks me, supposing -I should be in Vienna, to interest myself for the bearer, M. Cast ... -in order to get him some employment. - -‘By the date of the letter, monsieur, you must have left Lyons some -time.’ - -‘Yes,’ replies the visitor, ‘having the whole of the world thrown open -to me to choose a _habitat_, I made my way to the present one on foot.’ - -‘You have no doubt other recommendations?’ - -‘None whatever.’ - -‘Allow me to compliment you on your courage. To do three hundred -leagues on foot simply on the strength of a letter from a person whom -I have only seen once, and without even the certainty of finding -me--assuredly you ought to succeed! In spite of this, I can give you -but little hope. If you came to the Congress to claim a kingdom, a -province, an indemnity, you would probably be listened to, but a post -for a Frenchman in the Austrian States--that, I am afraid, will be a -difficult thing to get. Nevertheless, I will do all I can for you. What -have you done up to the present?’ - -‘I have served in the Guards of Honour.’ - -‘What sort of post have you in view?’ - -‘I am not at all particular. I can be a secretary, or pretty well fill -any kind of post, whether it be civil or military.’ - -‘You are certainly determined to make the best of things,’ I could not -help saying, for that particular aptitude for making the foot fit the -boot in a cheerful and intelligent way is unquestionably French. I felt -decidedly interested in my young compatriot, and I asked him to give me -a few days to look round for him. Meanwhile I took his address, though -with considerable doubt about the final result of his bold journey. - -At supper the conversation happened to turn on the sudden resolutions -and the unhoped-for and unexpected bits of daring that often determine -a man’s whole existence. As a matter of course, instances were quoted, -and notably that of General Tettenborn, who, in something like four -months had worked his way from major to general-in-chief. - -‘I could mention a trait of courage and a reliance on luck which, -save for the favourable results to come, is worth all those we have -mentioned.’ - -On being questioned, I told them all about my visitor of that morning, -about his economical journey with nothing at the end of it but a simple -letter of introduction, and about the coincidence of his reaching -Vienna but a couple of days after my own arrival. The Comte de Witt had -listened very attentively. - -‘Your young man’s courage is worthy of consideration,’ he said, ‘and -inasmuch as he has been in the Guards of Honour, he is probably at home -on horseback. Send him to me to-morrow morning; I’ll find him something -to do.’ - -I thanked the comte; then, turning to the other guests: ‘This is my -countryman’s second step on the road of chance in one day,’ I said, -‘You’ll admit that if a letter of recommendation is often addressed at -random, it now and again happens to get into the hands of Dame Fortune.’ - -‘Yes,’ remarked the young Comte de Saint-Marsan, ‘a letter of -recommendation sometimes constitutes a whole fortune. Would you like to -have an instance of this?’ - -And without further ado he told us with his habitual grace and -sprightliness the following anecdote in connection with a period which -already seemed far removed from us in the past, although the actors had -scarcely left the stage. - -‘A young Parisian poet,’ began Marsan, ‘named Dubois, who was probably -as poor in wit as he was in money, had exhausted all his faculties -in singing the powers that were without getting the smallest favour. -As a forlorn hope, he addressed an ode to Princesse Pauline, the -favourite sister of Napoleon. In his poetical confusion, and without -reflecting upon the fate of Racine when the latter presented to Louis -XIV. his _Memoir on the Wretched Condition of Peoples_, Dubois mingled -with his praises of the princess counsels to Mars, embroidered on a -philanthropic dream of universal peace. The greatest effects are -often due to the most trivial causes. It so happened that one of the -princess’s waiting-maids was a distant relative of the poet, and she -seized a favourable opportunity of presenting the epistle to her -highness, who only read the rhymes of “Pauline” and “divine,” recurring -at almost every strophe, and promised her influence to the author of -such beautiful and kind sentiments. “But where is he?” asked Princesse -Pauline. “There,” said the relative, pointing to the ante-chamber. “In -that case let him come in,” remarked the princess, and in less time -than it takes to tell, the poet enters the perfumed boudoir of Pauline, -and finds himself _tête-à-tête_ with his future Providence. “Well, what -can I do for you?” asked the princess, after having listened to the -usual compliments. “If Madame by her influence could get me some small -post in this or that government office, I should for ever be grateful -to her.” “A letter of recommendation to Fouché may do the thing. Not -later than yesterday he said that I never asked for any favours. I’ll -put him to the test. Do you think that this would suit you?” Naturally -the poet replied that such a letter could not fail in its effect, -and that it would make him the happiest of mortals. Handsome Pauline -Borghese immediately opened her escritoire, and being in one of the -happy moods when sentences shape themselves on paper, in her petition -to his Grace of Otranto she spoke of M. Dubois as a man of superior -gifts, apt at many things, and in whom she took the greatest interest. - -‘An hour afterwards the protégé was at the door of the dispenser of -favours, but being unknown to the ushers, and not specially recommended -to them, it may easily be imagined that he got no further than the -ministerial ante-chamber, and that he was obliged to remit his letter -to the hands of those who did not care a jot. As a matter of course, -it was flung with many others into the basket set apart for such -epistles, which as often as not went straight from the receptacle into -the stove of the ante-chamber. Nevertheless, when Fouché returned that -evening from the Council of Ministers, and the basket was, as usual, -set in front of him, by the merest accident his eye fell on the paper -displaying the imperial arms. Naturally, he opened it at once, read it -from the first line to the last, and immediately ordered four gendarmes -to accompany his carriage at nine in the morning. Among his _entourage_ -it was taken for granted that he was proceeding to Saint-Cloud for some -communication of great importance; hence the surprise of his servants -was intense when they were ordered to take him to a mean street in the -neighbourhood of the Halles. It was there that our favourite of the -Muses had established his aerial quarters on the sixth floor. - -‘There was neither porter nor number to the entrance of that residence, -and inquiries had to be made of the baker of the quarter as to the -domicile of M. Dubois, a man of letters. - -‘“There is,” answered the baker’s wife, “a person of that name, very -poor, who inhabits an attic in the place. I do not know whether he is a -public scribe, but he owes me two quarters’ rent.” - -‘And issuing from her shop, she begins to bawl out the name at the top -of her voice. The poor poet puts his head out of the window of his -garret, and espying below a carriage escorted by gendarmes, comes there -and then to the conclusion that the boldness of his remarks with regard -to a universal peace has been badly received by Jupiter the Thunderer, -and that they have come to arrest him in order to make him expiate his -audacity at Bicêtre. - -‘Prompted by his fear only, Dubois considers it most prudent to hide -under his bed. Fouché, receiving no answer to the summons of the -baker’s wife, makes up his mind to mount the six flights. A courtier -does not stop at that when it becomes a question of proving his zeal -to those in power. It would want the facetious genius of Beaumarchais -or Lesage, or the comic talent of Potier, to paint the originality of -the scene, and of the Minister finally discovering the protégé under -the worm-eaten wooden structure that served him as a couch. Hence I -abridge the particulars. Fouché reassures Dubois, and induces him to -come forth from his improvised hiding-place. Regardless of the poet’s -very profound _négligé_, he places him by his side in the carriage, -which takes its way to the Ministry, where luncheon is soon served. - -‘“What would you like to be, M. Dubois?” asks his Excellency in the -interval between a dish of cutlets _à la Soubise_, made short work of -by the famished poet, and a _salmis de perdreaux_ equally appreciated, -at any rate ocularly. “Now tell me what can I do for you?” - -‘“I’ll be whatever your Excellency likes; and I shall be grateful for -any kind of post.” - -‘“Well, would you like to go to the island of Elba? I can give you the -appointment of commissary general of police.” - -‘“I’ll go to the end of the world in order to please your Excellency,” -replies the poet, not quite sure whether for the last hour or so he has -been awake or dreaming. - -‘“Very well then, I’ll go and make out your nomination, and you’ll -start to-morrow. On reaching Porto-Ferrajo you’ll find further -instructions. Meanwhile take this on account of your stipend.” Saying -which, Fouché presses a roll of napoleons into the poet’s hand. The -latter’s luggage was the reverse of voluminous; it would have filled a -big snuff-box, and did not take long to pack. Dubois engaged a place -in the diligence, and, in imitation of the awakened sleeper, departed, -like Sancho, for his island, which he reached without any further -adventures. - -‘It so happened that at that identical moment, two competitors were -endeavouring to get the concession of the iron-ore mines of the -island of Elba, the yield of which is very considerable. The new -commissary-general of police seemed to enjoy immense credit in Paris. -He was entrusted with an important charge in the administration of the -island, and each of the competitors tried to secure his goodwill. One -of these offered him an interest in his enterprise in return for his -influence. The new functionary, who perceived himself to be on the -high road to fortune, took particular care not to refuse the offer. -He promised everything, and wrote to Paris whatever the speculator -directed. Whether it was sheer accident or his recommendation that -finally procured the concession for his partner will, perhaps, -never be known, but the merit of it was attributed to the child of -the Muses. He was, however, sharp enough to be aware of his utter -ignorance with regard to the working of mines in no way connected with -those of Parnassus, and sold his interest in them for three hundred -thousand francs, which with equal good sense he invested in government -securities, thus making his newly acquired wealth safe against all -vicissitudes. - -‘Meanwhile the Princesse Borghese went to Bagnères to take the waters, -and it was some time before Fouché met with her at the Tuileries. - -‘“I trust your Highness is pleased with the manner in which I have been -able to provide for your protégé;” said the minister. “What protégé, -M. le Duc?” answered Pauline. “I am afraid I do not understand.” “But, -madame, I mean M. Dubois.” “M. Dubois? I don’t think I know any one -of that name.” “Does not your Highness recollect a letter sent to me -about three months ago, most pressingly recommending a M. Dubois, a man -of letters, in whom your Highness took the greatest interest?” “One -moment,” said the princess, and then a smile overspread her beautiful -features. “My protégé, M. le Duc, was a poor poet, a relative of one of -my maids, who sent me an ode. What have you done with him? Have you -given him a stool in one of your departments?” - -‘The minister, nettled at having been duped in that way, took -particular care to suppress the fact of his having made a grand -functionary of Dubois. Unfortunately, Fouché’s friends at Court got -wind of the thing, and there was an end of the secret. Napoleon himself -was vastly amused at it, and bantered his minister, whose habits, as -every one knows, were not of the bantering kind. - -‘Naturally, Dubois’s order of recall was despatched with the same -promptitude as that for his departure. Our poet fell from his -commissaryship-general as Sancho had fallen from the governorship of -his island, and become a nonentity as before. But the three hundred -thousand francs had been paid to him and properly invested, and on his -return to Paris, he was enabled to pursue in peace his cultivation of -the Muses, and we may be sure did not lack for parasites to applaud -his verses and share his dinners, which were amply defrayed by the -iron-mines of Elba.’ - -Thus far the narrative of the Comte de Marsan, to whom I leave the -responsibility for the story, although I have no doubt of its veracity, -for Fouché, the Terrorist of old, was an excellent courtier. - -M. Cast***‘s progress on the road to fortune was not as rapid as that, -yet sufficiently rapid for him to look back with satisfaction on his -pluck, as exemplified in his journey to Vienna. His interview with -Comte de Witt resulted in his appointment as his secretary. He came to -tell me of his wonderful piece of luck, and that same night went to -the Leopoldstadt theatre and was arrested by the police, who in Vienna -were very severe with foreigners. He showed fight, received several -blows, was bound hand and foot, and flung into a cell pending inquiry. -When brought before a magistrate next morning, he referred to his new -patron, the Comte de Witt, belonging to the suite of the Emperor of -Russia, and on the deposition of the general, was set at liberty. Not -being provided with a passport, he would, had this happened one day -earlier, have been taken as a vagrant to the Austrian frontier. - -Subsequently, I was told by the Abbé Chalenton, the tutor of the young -Polignacs, that M. Cast***, having accompanied the Comte de Witt to -Russia, married at Tulczim a Dutch girl of excellent birth, with an -income of two thousand Dutch ducats, and on that occasion the abbé, -at that time the tutor of Comtesse Potocka’s children, gave the bride -away. M. Cast*** returned afterwards to Lyons in a different condition -from that in which he had left it three years previously. - -The moral of all this is that, thanks to a plucky resolve, he also -had his share in the good things which were going at the Congress -of Vienna. Who after this shall deny the workings of chance on our -destinies and the usefulness of letters of introduction? - - - - -CHAPTER III - - Reception at M. de Talleyrand’s--His attitude at the Congress-- - The Duc de Dalberg--The Duc de Richelieu--Mme. Edmond de - Périgord--M. Pozzo di Borgo--Parallel between the Prince de - Ligne and M. de Talleyrand--A Monster Concert. - - -Since my arrival in Vienna, I had given myself up so wholly to the -pleasure of meeting with old friends that I had only been able to pay -a ‘duty’ call at the French Legation. Although several friends, among -others MM. Boigne de Faye and Achille Rouen, formed part of it in -different capacities, I had not been able to have a confidential chat -with any. I had begun sincerely to regret having missed the opportunity -of going to M. de Talleyrand’s receptions, when he divined my wishes, -and with his well-known and exquisite courtesy sent me an invitation to -dinner. As may be imagined, I did not fail to respond to it, impatient -as I was to observe from near at hand a man whom I had not seen since -my early manhood, and who had been so largely mixed up with the chief -events of the time. It is a memorable thing in a man’s life to be able -to approach closely to an actor who has played a principal part on -the world’s stage. It makes an impression which only ceases with life -or with the loss of memory. I reached the embassy early, and from M. -Rouen’s private apartments made my way to the reception-rooms. There -was no one there but M. de Talleyrand, the Duc de Dalberg, and Madame -Edmond de Périgord, whom I had already met at Mme. de Fuchs’s. The -prince bade me welcome with the exquisite grace which had become a -second nature to him, and taking hold of my hand with the kindliness -reminiscent of a bygone period, he said: ‘I had to come to Vienna, -then, Monsieur, in order to have the pleasure of seeing you at my -home?’ I may have been mistaken, but at that moment he certainly belied -the axiom so long ascribed to him, namely: That words were given to -man to enable him to disguise his thought. Without awaiting my answer, -which, judging from my embarrassed look, he fancied would not be -quickly forthcoming, he presented me to the Duc de Dalberg with a few -flattering and gracious words. - -I had not seen M. de Talleyrand since 1806; but I was struck once -more with the intellectual subtlety of the look, the imperturbable -calm of the features, the demeanour of the pre-eminent man whom I, in -common with all those forgathered in Vienna, considered the foremost -diplomatist of his time. There were also the same grave and deep -tone of voice, the same easy and natural manners, the same ingrained -familiarity with the usages of the best society--a belated reflex, as -it were, of a state of things which existed no longer, and of which one -beheld in him one of the last representatives. In that room, and face -to face with such a man, one could not help yielding to an irresistible -feeling of timidity and awe. - -The panegyric of the French plenipotentiaries at the Congress is -practically contained in their names; nevertheless, M. de Talleyrand, -in particular, seemed to dominate that illustrious assembly by the -charm of his mind and the ascendency of his genius. Always the same, -he treated diplomacy as he treated it formerly in his drawing-room -in Paris and at Neuilly. Yet, France’s _rôle_ was rendered not less -difficult by the circumstances from without than by the confusion from -within. Hedged, as it were, by numberless obstacles, the inevitable -consequences of a new organisation, and of the little harmony such an -organisation is likely to command, France was virtually incapable of -showing any _virile disposition_. It was an open secret that such a -display was beyond the power and beyond the will of her government. -The great European states, the arbiters of the Congress, proceeded -with a common accord of which hitherto there had been no instance in -diplomatic annals. It seemed as if nothing could either break or detach -a single link of the chain. Hence, the representatives of France were -bound to make up, either by the resources of their genius or by talent -of the first order, for the obstacles opposed to them by a quadruple -alliance applying to the deliberations the whole weight of its actual -importance and of its unassailable union. - -The force he could not look for from his government, M. de Talleyrand -found in himself; for it is no exaggeration to say that the whole of -the French mission at the Congress seemed personified in him, whatever -may have been the merit of his colleagues and the consideration -attached to their personality. With the marvellous intuition which was -the particular dower of his intellect, and which seemed not only to -foresee events but to dominate them, he soon recovered the position -belonging to France. Admitted to the directing committee, composed -of the four great Powers, he completely changed its ideas and its -tendency. ‘I bring to you more than you possess, I bring to you the -idea of “right.”’ He divided those Powers, hitherto so united; he, -as it were, raised the spectre of a disproportionately aggrandised -Russian weight on the rest of Europe, and the necessity of edging -her back to the north. He caused Austria and England to share that -conviction. Hence, Emperor Alexander, who under the influence and -in the drawing-room of M. de Talleyrand had, six months previously, -decided upon the restoration of the House of Bourbon, saw, not without -annoyance, his projects stopped by the representative of a state which -owed its existence to him. ‘Talleyrand enacts the part here of Louis -XIV.’s minister,’ he said more than once with a show of bad humour. - -I have no intention of enumerating the labours of M. de Talleyrand at -the Congress of Vienna, or the important acts in which he took a part. -Still less do I intend to trace a portrait of that celebrated man. -Apart from the consideration that such a task would entail infinite -developments, M. de Talleyrand henceforth belongs to history; and -history alone, with inflexible truth, can describe and make known one -of the most historical personages of modern times. But, having been -an eyewitness at that trying period of his often successful efforts -at raising and reinstating the nation which he represented, I find -it difficult to resist the temptation to record the vivid impression -produced by his imperturbable calm, his attitude, and the whole of his -personality. - -It has been said often, and with considerable truth, that at no period -did Talleyrand appear more conspicuously great than at the moment of -France’s disasters in 1814. I had seen him eight years previously as -Minister of France, then all-powerful, and dictating his laws to the -whole of Continental Europe. At Vienna, as the plenipotentiary of a -vanquished people, he was the same man, and as absolutely confident of -himself. There was the same noble dignity, perhaps with an additional -shade of pride, the same confidence essential to the representative -of a nation which though vanquished was necessary to the maintenance -of the European equilibrium--of a nation which might gather strength -from the very consciousness of her defeat. His demeanour was, in one -word, the most eloquent expression of the grandeur of our country. In -watching the look which adverse fortune had been unable to disturb, the -impassiveness which nothing could disconcert, one could not but feel -that this man had still behind him a strong and powerful nation. - -Just as his high renown, and the authority attached to his name and -experience, made themselves felt in the deliberations of European -politics, so did his noble manners, the manners of the grand seigneur, -and his urbanity stamp his private receptions and his daily life with -a character of gravity wholly in harmony with his diplomatic rôle. -At no moment in Vienna did he deviate from the habits contracted in -Paris and in the century that lay behind. Every morning while he was -dressing, visitors were admitted, and often during the operation of -shaving and attending to his hair by his valet, discussions of the -utmost gravity, though in the guise of mere talk, were engaged in. -I have frequently seen him in his drawing-room seated on a couch by -the side of the beautiful Comtesse Edmond de Perigord, and surrounded -by bearers of the most eminent political names, the ministers of -the victorious Powers, who, standing, conversed with him, or rather -listened, as to the lessons of a teacher. In our century, M, de -Talleyrand is perhaps the only man who constantly obtained such a -triumph. - -M. le Duc de Dalberg was well worthy of figuring by the side of M. -de Talleyrand. Sprung from one of the oldest and noblest families of -Germany, he contributed powerfully on the 31st March to the resolution -which brought back the Bourbons to the throne; at the same time, he had -pronounced in favour of constitutional measures calculated to reassure -public opinion, and to make France rally to the restored régime. -Sharing the views and wishes of M. de Talleyrand at the time of the -Restoration, the same bond of union drew them together at the Congress. -The heartfelt aim of both was to restore to France the rank of which -her misfortunes had deprived her among the Powers.[34] - -M. de Talleyrand, before proceeding to Vienna, had drawn up his own -instructions. It was said on excellent authority that he strictly -adhered to them, and that the various phases of the negotiations had -been foreseen and indicated by him with marvellous sagacity. What is -not generally known is the existence of two different sets of private -correspondence addressed to Paris by the French plenipotentiaries; -one, partly from the pen of and edited by M. de la Besnadière, and -exclusively anecdotal, was sent to King Louis XVIII. M. de Talleyrand -positively besprinkled it with those witty and original sallies, -those subtle and profound remarks, characteristic of him. The other, -exclusively political and principally indited by the Duc de Dalberg, -went straight to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.[35] - -On the day in question, there were few guests to dinner at M. de -Talleyrand’s. This afforded me the opportunity of observing more -attentively and of listening more carefully: each figure of such a -picture could be studied separately and with greater advantage. - -In addition to the members of the French Mission, there were only a few -strangers, namely, the Comte Razumowski, General Pozzo di Borgo, and -the Duc de Richelieu. When I parted from the last at Odessa in 1812, -he was in a position most trying to a governor-general.[36] The plague -was ravaging his provinces of the Chersonese and the Taurida, and it -required all his energy to get rid of such an importunate visitor. In -those cruel circumstances he displayed the most admirable courage. - -My questions followed each other most rapidly, as my pleasure at seeing -him again was great. I was seated between him and M. de la Besnadière, -and we went back with great interest to the days of our past dangers; -we chatted about the ravages of the plague as sailors preserved from -shipwreck would have spoken of the hidden rocks on which their craft -might have gone to pieces. - -All those who have known the Duc de Richelieu are aware of the sincere -friendship he was apt to inspire. Few men in their public capacity have -shown a nobler character, and in their eminent functions a stricter -disinterestedness. The esteem of all parties was his reward. - -It is to him Russia owes, in the founding of Odessa, one of her most -precious commercial centres. Up to that period, the duke was only -distinguished for his military exploits. Having been sent to the -shores of the Black Sea by Emperor Alexander, who understood all the -importance of the site, Richelieu displayed in his fresh sphere of -activity the greatest talent, from an administrative standpoint. In a -few years, a harbour without life, and a few houses without tenants, -were replaced by an accessible and spacious port and a rich and elegant -town. The loyalty of his character contributed to draw around him -merchants and colonisers. In spite of the plague and of the suspension -of all commercial operations, Odessa, under his firm and enlightened -administration, instead of declining, increased each day in prosperity. -At present it is one of the most important points of the East. - -Thereafter, M. de Richelieu passed from the government of the Taurida -to that of his own country. He hesitated for a long while before -assuming a burden he fancied to be beyond his strength, and only -yielded at the repeated instances of Emperor Alexander. Obliged, in -virtue of his office, to sign the disastrous treaties of 1815, he bore -with patriotic fortitude their odious consequences. Students of history -will remember his efforts at the Congress of Aix-la-Chapelle (1818), -and the happy results which crowned them. History may not, perhaps, -acquiesce in his sufficient knowledge of the men and places which he -had governed, but she will always refer with grateful remembrance to -his sterling virtues and his exalted patriotism. - -The conversation became general, and followed the direction given to -it by the personages, interesting in so many respects, taking part in -it. M. Pozzo di Borgo, whom I saw on that occasion for the first time, -seemed to me to unite the finesse, the liveliness of intellect, and the -imagination of his countrymen. An avowed enemy of Bonaparte since the -beginning of his career, he had never disguised his joy at the latter’s -fall. In a few words he summed up all the causes which were inevitably -to lead to the acceleration of that great catastrophe.[37] - -At that time a simple general of infantry in the Russian service, M. -Pozzo di Borgo never deviated from the line of conduct which led him -subsequently to exercise such a great influence on the destinies of -Europe. Born in Corsica, and deputy for the island in the Legislative -Assembly, he held the same ardent opinions which had made him -conspicuous in his own country. It was he who in July 1792 induced -the Assembly to declare war against the German Emperor. After the -revolution of August 10th, his name was found mentioned in the papers -of Louis XVI. A fellow-deputy for Corsica, one of the commissaries -entrusted with the examination of those papers, informed him, it -was said, of the danger he might be running, and prevailed upon him -to leave Paris. On his return to Corsica, he changed his colours. -Resolved to support the designs for rendering the island independent, -he joined the party of Paoli, and in 1793, the Convention summoned -him, as well as the general, to its bar, to account for his conduct. -Neither obeyed the summons: the English army occupied the island, and -M. Pozzo di Borgo was appointed president of the Council of State -under Eliot, who was raised to the dignity of viceroy. Nevertheless, -during his tenure of office there arose so many complaints against -him that Eliot advised him to retire, at the request of Paoli, who -had become afraid of the number of enemies his protégé had managed to -array against himself. M. Pozzo di Borgo then went to London, where he -was employed by the government in the secret diplomatic service. The -British Government itself subsequently admitted that, thanks to the -influence of Prince Czartoryski, Pozzo di Borgo had passed into the -secret political service of Russia. The same good fortune that attended -him in his political functions remained by his side on the battlefield: -he obtained rapid promotion, and at Leipzig he fought as major-general -under the orders of another Frenchman, to-day King of Sweden.[38] It -was Pozzo di Borgo who in 1814 settled the question of the Allied -Powers marching upon Paris, and who in their deliberations removed -all apprehension on the subject. Every one remembers the dignities -with which he was subsequently invested, and the various phases of -his political career. Already at the Congress he was credited with -a sentence which he never denied, and which laid bare his thoughts. -‘France,’ he said, ‘is a seething saucepan; whatever comes out of it -ought to be flung back into it.’ M. Pozzo di Borgo’s conversation did -not lack piquancy; nevertheless, it did not take long to find out that -the learning he somewhat ostentatiously displayed was neither solid -nor extensive, nor profound. He had a mania for quoting, but not the -talent of varying his quotations. For instance, at M. de Talleyrand’s, -he supported an argument by a passage from Dante, a phrase of Tacitus, -and shreds from English orators. M. de la Besnadière told me that every -one of those citations had already done duty two days previously at the -Prince de Hardenberg’s. - -When we went into the drawing-room, a good many distinguished -personages were already there. In fact, to see this forgathering of the -majority of the members of the Corps Diplomatique grouping themselves -around M. de Talleyrand, the supposition would have been pardonable -that his residence was the _locale_ of the Congress. - -Mme. la Comtesse de Périgord received her relative’s guests with -a charming grace. Her brilliant and playful intellect tempered -from time to time the gravity of the political matter gliding into -the conversation. There was, however, this difference: under M. de -Talleyrand’s roof the discussion was ever serious, and never deviated -from its aim; while in the other drawing-rooms of Vienna, politics -were treated as an accessory, and in an airy fashion, during the rare -intervals not devoted to pleasure. - -On the evening in question, Saxony was once more the subject of the -conversation. Louis XVIII. had declared himself strongly opposed to the -maintenance of Frederick-Augustus on its throne. He wished that prince -to be punished with the loss of his kingdom for his faithful support of -Napoleon. The utmost Louis would concede was the restricted sovereignty -of Frederick-Augustus over some small patch of territory on the left -bank of the Rhine. The execution of that plan would have involved -the incorporation of the whole of the Saxon States with Prussia. The -latter Power claimed them energetically as a compensation guaranteed to -it by the Treaty of Kalisch. Alexander, who at that time was nursing -the idea of a kingdom of Poland comprising the Polish provinces that -had formerly lapsed to Prussia, had pronounced in favour of that -incorporation. Austria, however, looked askance at this scheme of -aggrandisement, while the minor German princes were positively afraid -of such a spoliation, which seemed to them the precursor of their -destruction. M. de Talleyrand, on the other hand, sided with Saxony, -sustaining its rights on every possible opportunity with as much -dignity as healthy logic. - -There was a very lively discussion between Lord Castlereagh[39] and the -French envoys. England at that time, though having no direct interest -in the question, seemed inclined to favour Prussia’s pretensions. A -few months later, there was a reversal of her policy. But however -interesting King Frederick-Augustus’s cause might be to me personally, -it seemed to me that the atmosphere in which I had hitherto lived at -Vienna excluded all political affairs, and I had drawn aside with the -Duc de Richelieu. He gave me some particulars of the brilliant military -career of his nephew, the Comte de Rochechouart, with whom I had spent -so many happy moments at Odessa;[40] and then talked to me about the -handsome Mme. Davidoff,[41] and of her famous friend Mme. la Comtesse -Potocka. Surrounded by all that was most brilliant and accomplished in -European civilisation, our thoughts yet went back to the deserts of the -Yeddisen, and when we returned to the group of diplomatists, the prince -had vanquished the grand sophist, and equity had scored a triumph over -arbitrariness. - -Although M. de Talleyrand was both in bearing and in temperament -naturally cold and indifferent, his great reputation and his -uncontested merit caused him to be assiduously courted. That apparent -coldness, in fact, still further enhanced the special marks of his -interest or of his affection. The words falling from his lips, a -benevolent smile, a sign of approval--in short, everything emanating -from him was calculated to fascinate. His was the flexible intellect -which without effort and without pedantry can, on notable occasions, -show itself the master of the situation, and which, in more familiar -intercourse, knows how to lend itself with inimitable grace to the -lightest banter. Full justice has never been done to his goodness -of heart. He repaid hatred and slander by clever sallies; he never -emphasised or paraded the services he rendered; and in general his kind -actions were performed with such simplicity as to make him easily lose -the recollection of them.[42] - -At that period I often tried to establish a parallel between the -two men who, even in that gathering of so many illustrious people, -powerfully attracted and captivated everybody’s attention, namely, the -Prince de Ligne and M. de Talleyrand. Both, having lived in contact -with the celebrities of the eighteenth century, seemed to have been -bequeathed to the new generation as models and ornaments; both were -representatives, though in different styles, of that witty society--the -one of its lighter and more sparkling phase, the other of its easy, -graceful, and noble phase; both had the secret of pleasing by the charm -of intellect: the first was more brilliant, the second more profound. -M. de Talleyrand seemed born, as it were, to captivate his fellow-men -by the strength of an ever-direct and luminous reason; the Prince de -Ligne fascinated and dazzled them by the sparkle of an inexhaustible -imagination: the latter bringing to bear upon the different branches -of literature the subtlety, sparkle, and gracefulness of the _habitué_ -of Courts; the former dominating over the most important concerns with -the easy calm of a grand seigneur and the imperturbable moderation -of a superior intellect; the one and the other lavishly scattering -around them clever sentences, happy sallies, original and piquant -traits, graver and more individual in the case of the statesman, more -spontaneous and brilliant in the case of the soldier:--both, in fine, -animated with the sympathetic benevolence which is the appanage of the -well-born man, and which was more contained with the first and more -expansive with the second. ‘Happy ought the man to be who finds himself -placed near the Prince de Ligne in the morning, and in the evening near -M. de Talleyrand,’ I said to myself. ‘If the one be apt to enlighten -his mind by the lessons of a long experience and a succession of true -pictures, the other may purify his taste by the never-failing tact, the -judicious observation which takes in everything, and the magic charm -of a conversation which has the faculty of subjugating listeners even -where it fails in convincing them.’ - -The reception on the evening in question did not last as long as usual, -Mme. de Périgord, like the majority of us, being due at the Burg, to -attend a monster concert. Nothing, it was said, could convey a better -idea of the marvellous results of the practice of music in Vienna. We -left the prince engaged in his game of whist, in which he indulged -every night with a particular fondness and with superior skill, and -made our way to the Imperial Palace. - -In one of the vastest halls, that of the States, there were a hundred -pianos on which professors and amateurs performed a concert. Salieri, -the composer of the _Danaïdes_, was the conductor of that gigantic -orchestra. To tell the truth, however, save for the general scene, -which in all these fêtes was always dazzling, that matchless charivari, -in spite of the superior talent of the maestro directing it, was more -like a huge display of strength and skill than a concert of good taste. -This new surprise was, nevertheless, such as might have been expected -from a committee appointed by the Court. To justify the confidence -placed in it, it had ransacked its imagination for something unforeseen -and unprecedented, something altogether out of the ordinary. It had -succeeded to perfection. - - - - -CHAPTER IV - - The Prince de Ligne’s Study--A Swimming Exploit--Travelling - by Post--A Reminiscence of Mme. de Staël--Schönbrunn-- - The Son of Napoleon--His Portrait--Mme. de Montesquiou-- - Anecdotes--Isabey--The Manœuvring-Ground--The People’s - Fête at Augarten. - - -When I went to pay my daily visit to the prince, he was still in -bed, and I made my way to his library, where they had placed his -couch. The room in which a famous man spends the greater part of his -time is always interesting. The signs of his particular tastes are -everywhere; the special character of his genius reveals itself in the -smallest details; and the objects surrounding him supply food for our -curiosity or attract our attention. With his books and manuscripts -scattered here, there, and everywhere, the Prince de Ligne gave one the -impression of a general in his tent among the trophies of his victories -and the weapons worn in everyday life. - -Abusing somewhat the licence accorded to poets, with whom ‘a beautiful -disorder’ is accounted an artistic effect, the prince lived amidst a -kind of litter which was not altogether devoid of gracefulness. Here, -Rousseau and Montesquieu lying open beside a batch of love-letters; -there, scraps of paper covered with verses close to a couple of -military volumes of Archduke Charles; further on, letters just begun, -and poems and works of strategy in a similarly initial condition. An -admirable amalgam of the grand seigneur, the soldier, and the man of -wit, the Prince de Ligne presented a type the like of which we shall -not see again; now captivating the most distinguished women by the -charms of a most brilliant conversation, then astounding the most -consummate generals by the justness of his conceptions; and again -delighting the greatest intellects by the subtlety and the truth of his -comments. - -He had a writing-desk before him when I came in. His intellect, -aglow with a wholly youthful imagination, just as his heart was -aglow with kindness, seemed to live against time; hence, no day ever -passed without his throwing on to paper some judicious or playful, -some brilliant or profound remarks, such as those with which his -conversation was studded. - -‘I’m going to Schönbrunn to-day,’ he said, ‘and I should like you to -accompany me. I am performing _ad honores_ the office of introducer to -the little duke who was born a king. I only want to finish this chapter -on the events of the moment, and then I am at your disposal. - -‘I’m throwing my thoughts on to paper anyhow lest they should escape my -memory,’ he added. ‘The grand picture we constantly have before us has -the faculty of inspiring me; I fancy that amidst all these delirious -joys a thought may now and again strike me which in days to come will -either give pleasure or be productive of some good. Though yielding to -this whirl of phantasms, I have not ceased to observe. Though an actor -in the piece which is being played, I consider the whole of what is -passing around me a simple kick in an ant-hill.’ - -Saying which he resumed writing. All of a sudden, being apparently in -want of a reference of some kind, he looked up. ‘Be kind enough to give -me that manuscript volume on the third shelf.’ I got up, but uncertain -which volume to take, I hesitated for a moment. Thereupon he jumped out -of bed and hauled himself up by the cornice of the bookcase, got hold -of the book, and was back again between the sheets in less time than it -takes to tell; I looking on in sheer surprise at the agility of a man -of his years. ‘The fact is,’ he said, ‘I have been most nimble all my -life, and my nimbleness has been exceedingly useful. During that kind -of fairy journey when I accompanied the great Catherine to the Taurida, -the imperial yacht was doubling the promontory of Parthenizza, where, -according to tradition, the Temple of Iphigenia formerly stood. We were -discussing the greater or lesser probability of that tradition, when -Catherine, stretching forth her arms towards the coast, said: “Prince -de Ligne, I’ll bestow upon you that contested territory.” No sooner -had the words dropped from her lips than I was in the water, in full -uniform, my hat on my head, and in a few moments I stood on _terra -firma_. “Majesty,” I cried, drawing my sword, “I am taking possession.” -Since then that Taurida rock is named after me, and I keep the land. - -‘This, my young friend, shows that bodily agility may be attended -with excellent results, and that there is nothing in life like prompt -resolution. A few years before the outbreak of the Revolution, I -happened to be in Paris. In the happiness of the hour, and with -the carelessness of youth, I had committed a few excesses; I had, -moreover, forgotten the state of my finances, and my purse was as -empty of coin as my heart was full of joy and my mind of illusion. -Nevertheless, I was expected in Brussels the next day to dine with the -archduchess-governess of the Southern Netherlands. A total stranger in -the vast city, I felt sorely embarrassed. I was on terms of intimate -friendship with Prince Max, the present King of Bavaria, at that time -a colonel in the French service.[43] You are aware of his generous -and devoted disposition. During the whole of his life he was willing -to share with his friends whatever he possessed. Naturally I went to -him, but our excellent Max was not at that period a king, and had no -minister of finances to direct and to take care of his savings. It just -happened that his purse was as light as mine. What was to be done? A -post-boy is the most inexorable of men, and at each stage he comes -pitilessly, though hat in hand, to claim his salary. I was told that my -cousin, the Duc d’Aremberg, much more sober in conduct, was starting -that same evening for Brussels. I immediately made up my mind what -to do. “I shall be there before him,” I said; and without a moment’s -delay I transformed myself into a forerunner, and, booted and spurred, -presented myself at the posting-office. I told them to give me a horse, -and set off at a gallop to the next stage to order relays. In that way -I performed the journey to Brussels, always a few minutes in advance -of him, and seeing to the providing of his horses all along the route. -My cousin, who had not despatched a forerunner, was unable to make out -the providential arrangement to which was due the promptitude that thus -shortened his journey. At his arrival I told him the ruse, at which we -both laughed heartily, and thanks to which I managed to dine with the -archduchess.’ - -While talking, he had dressed himself. When he had finished putting -on his uniform of colonel of trabans, and had hung half-a-dozen grand -crosses and ribands of various orders upon his breast, he suddenly -stopped. - -‘If illusion could provide me to-day with its mirror,’ he said, ‘how -gladly would I exchange all this splendour for the simple dress of an -ensign in my father’s regiment! I was only sixteen when I donned that -dress for the first time; I imagined then that at thirty one must be -very old. Time changes everything. To-day, at eighty, I think myself -still young, although some cavillers say that I am too young. It -does not matter, I am doing all I can to prove that I am still young -enough. After all, my career has been a happy one, and neither remorse -nor ambition, nor jealousy has troubled its course. I have steered my -barque pretty evenly, and until I enter that of Charon I shall continue -to fancy myself, in spite of those who insist upon considering me as -old.’ - -Even while bantering himself in that way, there was a charm about his -words of which it is difficult to convey an idea. I kept telling him -that age had glided off him without leaving a mark, and that time -honoured him by forgetting him. He believed my words, and his handsome -face was lighted up with happiness. - -On going downstairs we found some of the savants who constantly worried -him, and his features lost their happy expression, although he managed -to dismiss the intruders with a few polite remarks, and went on his -way. ‘How I detest those savants of verbosity, those gatherers of -clever sayings, those walking dictionaries, whose sole stock-in-trade -in the matter of genius is their memory! The best book to study is the -world itself, but that book will always be a closed one to them,’ he -said. - -In a few moments we were rumbling in the direction of Schönbrunn. -Unfortunately, the prince’s carriage did not deserve the compliment I -had just addressed to the prince himself. It was impossible to believe -that the vehicle had ever been young, and its springs piteously cried -out to be exchanged for a set more elastic and in keeping with the -requirements of our own time. I can still picture the cumbrous, grey -conveyance drawn by two bony white horses. The panels displayed the -prince’s scutcheon, surmounted by the motto of the House of Egmont, -whence the prince sprung: - - ‘_Quô res cumque cadunt, semper stat linea recta._’ - -Behind this ancient coach stood a kind of footman, an old Turk, six -feet high, a present from Prince Potemkin at the assault of Ismaël, -and who bore the name of the conquered town. The marshal, however, had -the art of abridging distances, just as he had the art of supplying -the scantiness of his dinner-entertainments, by his conversation. The -journey of nearly an hour seemed very short, and it was with some -surprise that I beheld the gates of the imperial country-seat. - -Schönbrunn, the building of which was begun by the princes of the House -of Austria, was the object of Maria-Theresa’s particular affection. It -was she who completed it, and, in order to accelerate the work, part -of it was done by torchlight. The castle is delightfully situated on -the right bank of the Wien. The majestic _ensemble_ of its architecture -proclaims it at once to be a royal residence. The gardens, nobly -and most gracefully planned, interspersed with sheets of limpid -water skilfully disposed, planted with trees of the most luxuriant -vegetation, and studded with most precious marble and bronze statuary, -harmonise most imposingly with the magnificence of the palace itself. -The park is alive with deer of all kinds, the peaceful tenants of those -beautiful spots, and they, as it were, seem to invite the approach of -the visitors. Every day and at all hours these glades and avenues are -open to the public. Numberless carriages and horsemen are constantly -there. The park is surrounded by pleasaunces, the inmates of which in -the milder season are the eye-witnesses of a succession of fêtes and -rejoicings. The sound of those rejoicings pierces the walls of the -imperial habitation, and adds by its animation to the charms of the -noble pile. - -The apartments of the palace are spacious and furnished with exquisite -taste. There are several rooms entirely draped with black: they have -remained in that condition since the death of Maria-Theresa’s husband. -A small study is decorated with drawings by the various archduchesses. -This is the room where Napoleon, during his sojourn at Schönbrunn, -retired to work. It is there he beheld for the first time the portrait -of Marie-Louise, and perhaps conceived the idea of a union which had -such an influence on his destiny.[44] - -A staircase leads from that room into the garden. On a wooded height -stands a charming pavilion built by Maria-Theresa, and called ‘La -Gloriette’; that elegant structure of fairy-like design, composed of -arcades, colonnades, and trophies, bounds the vista and constitutes -one of the most delightful pieces of decorative architecture. It is at -the same time a palace and a triumphal arch. It is reached by a double -staircase. The view from the principal drawing-room defies description: -there are immense masses of green as far as the eye can reach, and -at the horizon are the city of Vienna, the course of the Danube, and -finally the high mountains whose outlines constitute the background of -the magnificent landscape. It is difficult to imagine a more splendid -panorama. - -The greenhouses of Schönbrunn are perhaps the most beautiful in Europe. -They contain precious samples of the vegetation of the universe. It was -there that Emperor Francis, who had a particular liking for botanical -pursuits, himself attended to the rarest plants. - -[Illustration: MARIA LOUISA, ARCHDUCHESS OF AUSTRIA.] - -Not far from there is the zoological collection, disposed in a circle -around a pavilion forming the centre, as it were, of the various -sheltered enclosures for the animals. Each species has its _habitat_ -and its garden, with the plants and trees proper to the country of its -birth. There, though prisoners, the animals apparently enjoy their -liberty. - -Close to the castle there was a small railed-off plot, carefully -tended, which was the garden of the son of Napoleon. It was there that -the young prince cultivated the flowers which each morning he gathered -into bouquets for his mother[45] and his governess. - -While crossing the courts, which are very spacious, the prince pointed -out the spot where, while Napoleon was inspecting some troops, a young -fanatic attempted to kill him about the time of the battle of Wagram. -If a crime of that nature is calculated to inspire anything but a -feeling of indignation, that young fellow might have been pitied in -virtue of the courage and fortitude he showed at the moment of his -death. - -It was in those courts that, at the same period, Napoleon gave orders -to his ordnance-officer, the Prince de Salm, to put through its drill -a regiment of the Germanic Confederation, and to give the command in -German. The Viennese came down in shoals, this little amenity on the -part of the victor having made them forget that their capital was in -the hands of the enemy. - -In the hall a French servant, still wearing the Napoleonic livery, came -towards us. He knew the marshal, and immediately went to inform Mme. de -Montesquiou of his arrival. - -‘I trust we’ll not have to wait,’ said my companion, ‘for, as I -have told you, I am almost like the Comte de Ségur of Schönbrunn.’ -He alluded to the position of grand-master of the ceremonies that -nobleman, whom he had known at the Court of Catherine, had occupied -near the person of Napoleon. - -A few moments later Mme. de Montesquiou came to apologise for being -unable to introduce us immediately. ‘The little prince,’ she said, ‘is -sitting for his portrait to Isabey, which is intended for the Empress -Marie-Louise. As he is very fond of the marshal, the sight of him -would only make him restless. I’ll see that the sitting is as short as -possible.’ - -‘You know what happened at my first visit?’ remarked the prince, after -Mme. de Montesquiou had left us. ‘When they told the child that Marshal -Prince de Ligne had come to see him, he exclaimed: “Is it one of the -marshals who deserted papa? Don’t let him come in.” They had a good -deal of trouble in making him understand that France is not the only -country where they have marshals.’ - -A short while afterwards Mme. de Montesquiou took us to the apartments. -When young Napoleon caught sight of the Prince de Ligne he slid off -his chair, and flung himself into the arms of the old soldier. He -was indeed as handsome a child as one could wish to see, and the -likeness to his ancestress Maria-Theresa was positively striking. The -cherub-like shape of his face, the dazzling whiteness of the skin, the -eyes full of fire, and the pretty fair curls drooping on his shoulders, -made up one of the most graceful models ever offered to Isabey. He was -dressed in a richly embroidered uniform of hussars, and wore on his -dolman the star of the Legion of Honour, ‘_Bon jour, monsieur_,’ said -the little lad, ‘I like the French very much.’ - -Remembering the words of Rousseau to the effect that people do not like -to be questioned, and least of all children, I stooped down and kissed -him. - -The son of Napoleon is no more; pitiless Death cut short at twenty-two -a life begun on a throne; and at the moment when the brilliant -qualities of the prince bade fair to make that life illustrious, and -when his noble sentiments had begun to win all hearts. Everything -connected with this offspring of so much glory, a victim from his -cradle of a fatal and unprecedented destiny, only presents itself to -the memory with a deep respect mingled with a tender pity. - -His intellect was quick and precocious; all his words struck the -listener by their justness. Both his memory and his faculty for -acquiring knowledge were astounding; he learned German in a short time, -and after that spoke it with the same ease as French. His character was -firm, and his resolutions, only arrived at after serious reflection, -were unshakable; his slightest movements were stamped with grace; his -gestures, when he wished to emphasise his words, were already grave -and solemn. His liking for the science of warfare showed itself both -in his eyes and in his speech. ‘I want to be a soldier,’ he said, -‘I’ll lead the charge.’ They suggested that bayonets might oppose his -progress. ‘But surely,’ was the answer, ‘I’ll have a sword to put aside -the bayonets.’ His curiosity with regard to the history of his father -was extreme; the Emperor, his grandfather, convinced that truth must -constitute the basis of every education, and notably that of a prince, -determined not to leave him in ignorance upon any subject.[46] The -child listened eagerly to the story of a life which, in the space of -twenty years, seemed to have exceeded the measure of both belief and of -history. The exuberance of his joys, his impatience at being baulked of -his wishes and of all opposition to his will, were those of a child, -while his intense anxiety to learn, his habitual calm and reflection, -attested a more advanced age. Everything in him led to the belief in -the theory of hereditary genius. - -His instinct, as is well known, showed itself under memorable -circumstances. On the 29th March, 1814, when the Empress Marie-Louise -abandoned the Tuileries for Rambouillet, and when they wished to take -the child to his mother, who was waiting for him, he opposed a stout -resistance to being removed; shouted that they were betraying his papa, -and refused to stir. Mme. de Montesquiou’s moral influence over the lad -was brought to bear in vain; she only succeeded by force, and even then -she had to promise to bring him back soon. The poor lad guessed, as it -were, that he would never more behold the Tuileries. - -His quickness of intellect showed itself in everything connected with -his illustrious and ill-fated sire. On the day before our visit, the -English commodore, Sir Neil Campbell, who accompanied Napoleon to -Elba, was presented to his son. ‘Are you not pleased, prince, to see -this gentleman, who left your father only a few days ago?’ asked Mme, -de Montesquiou, presenting the officer. ‘Yes,’ was the answer, ‘I am -pleased.’ Then, putting his finger to his lips, he added, ‘But we must -not say so.’ - -The commodore took the child into his arms. ‘Your papa has told me to -kiss you for him,’ he said, suiting the action to the word, after which -he gently put him down. The child had a German top in his hands. He -flung it down with such force as to break it to pieces. ‘Poor papa!’ he -gasped, bursting into tears.[47] - -What were the thoughts that moved him, and how, at his tender age, -could he grasp the whole extent of the ambiguous and false position -of the son of Napoleon being a prisoner, as it were, in the Austrian -palace of Schönbrunn! - -With regard to the loss of the sovereignty bestowed upon him at his -birth, he expressed himself with a melancholy and touching resignation. -‘I see very well that I am no longer a king,’ he repeated during his -journey from Rambouillet to Vienna; ‘I have no longer any pages.’[48] -The Prince de Ligne having shown him some medals struck on the occasion -of his birth, he remarked, ‘I remember them; they were made when I was -king.’ - -This plucky resignation, which was the most conspicuous trait of his -character, abided with him up to his last moments. When, at the age -of twenty-two, undermined by a most painful malady, he was dying at -that same palace of Schönbrunn, and beheld Death advancing slowly but -surely, he, handsome, young, talented, and the offspring of a great -man, talked of his impending end with those surrounding him, taking, as -it were, a cruel pleasure in dispelling all the illusions of hope. - -We stepped up to Isabey, who had just put the finishing touches to -the portrait of the young prince. It was a striking likeness, and, in -common with all his works, pervaded by an exquisite grace. It was the -identical picture he presented to Napoleon on the latter’s return from -Elba in the following year. ‘What I like best in this portrait is its -wonderful resemblance to that of Joseph II. when he was a child, which -was given to me by Maria-Theresa. After all, this resemblance to a -great man is a happy augury for the future.’ - -Then the prince complimented the painter on the perfect finish of his -work, adding a few happily-chosen words on his European reputation. - -‘I came to Vienna, M. le Maréchal,’ replied Isabey, ‘with the hope of -being allowed to reproduce the features of all the celebrities that are -here, and without doubt I ought to have started with yours.’ - -‘Assuredly, seeing that, in virtue of my age, I am the dean.’ - -‘No,’ retorted Isabey, who was also known for his ready wit, ‘not in -virtue of your age, but as the model of all that is illustrious in this -century.’ - -Meanwhile, young Napoleon had gone to a corner of the room in search -of a regiment of wooden Uhlans which his grand-uncle Archduke Charles -had sent him a few days previously. Set in motion by a piece of simple -mechanism, the troopers, stuck on movable pins, imitated every military -evolution, breaking the ranks, deploying into line, forming into -columns, etc. - -‘Time to begin our manœuvres, prince!’ shouted the marshal in a tone of -command. Immediately the Uhlans were taken from their box and disposed -in battle order. ‘Attention,’ cried the marshal, drawing his sword and -assuming the attitude of a general on parade. - -Stolidly attentive and grave, like a Russian grenadier, the child took -up his position to the right of his troop, his hand on the spring. -No sooner has the word of command left the old soldier’s lips than -the movement is carried out with the utmost precision. A second order -meets with similarly prompt obedience; the chief and the subaltern are -equally grave. To watch the charming face of the child lighting up at -this mimic piece of drill, and, on the other hand, to watch the aged -and illustrious relic of the wars of the past becoming animated at the -child’s grave demeanour, was a sight never to be forgotten. It looked -as if the one had inherited the irresistible passion of his sire for -the science of warfare; as if the other, suddenly growing younger by -a couple of decades, was going to recommence his glorious campaigns. -It was a delicious contrast, fit to inspire the genius of our greatest -painters. - -The grand manœuvres were interrupted by the announcement of the -empress’s coming. She liked to be alone with her son, whose education -she superintended.[49] Hence we retired, leaving Isabey to show her -his work. - -No sooner were we seated in our carriage, still deeply moved by what -we had seen, than the Prince de Ligne said: ‘When Vienna surrendered -to Napoleon at Schönbrunn, when he planned his memorable campaign of -Wagram there, when in those spacious courts he reviewed his victorious -phalanxes in the presence of the astounded Viennese, little did he -foresee that in this same palace the son of the victor and the daughter -of the vanquished would be held as hostages by one whose fate was -then in his hands. In my long career I have seen many instances of -extraordinary glory, and nearly as many of crushing reverses, but -nothing to compare to the history of which we have just witnessed a -chapter.’ - -As we were crossing the glacis between the faubourgs and the city, we -espied an open carriage, very low on its wheels. There seemed scarcely -room enough in it to hold its one huge occupant. - -‘Let us stop and perform our salutations,’ said the prince. ‘There goes -another majesty by the grace of God and of Robinson Crusoe (Napoleon). -There goes the King of Würtemberg. - -‘Up to the present,’ he went on, ‘you have only seen royal fêtes. -To-morrow I mean to take you to an entertainment for the people. So -much has been accomplished through the people that they can well afford -to do something for it. I’ll see you to-morrow.’ - -The people’s fête is one of the most brilliant solemnities of Vienna. -It had been eagerly looked forward to for some time. - -Anxious to profit by the invitation of my illustrious guide, I was -at his place before midday. Shortly afterwards we set out for the -Augarten, where the fête was to take place. - -The Augarten is situated on the same island of the Danube as the -Prater, by which it is bound on the east. The park, with its -thickly-wooded retreats and clumps of trees, presented the most varied -and beautiful vegetation, interspersed in all directions by magnificent -avenues. The palace, due to Joseph II., is a specimen of simple and -elegant architecture. An inscription over the front entrance tells the -fact that this amiable prince-philosopher gave up the building for the -amusement of the nation. - -There was an immense crowd; the weather was splendid; the stands -erected for the sovereigns and the celebrities of the Congress were -filled with most elegantly dressed spectators of both sexes. The Prince -de Ligne preferred to mingle with the crowd, and I was glad of it. - -The Austrian veterans, to the number of four thousand, had been invited -to the fête. To the strains of military music they marched past the -stand of the sovereigns, and afterwards took possession of a number of -spacious tents, set apart for their special use. There were military -sports at frequent intervals throughout the day. - -They opened with foot races, after which came races with small Eastern -horses, after the manner of the Barbary horses that contest for speed -in the Corso in Rome. In an open-air circus, the trick-riders and -acrobats of Bach, who are the rivals of Franconi and Astley of London, -performed all kinds of exercises on foot and on horseback. Further -on, the Turnplatz was occupied by young men who, to the delight of -the spectators, went through a series of gymnastics. To the left of -the palace, on a magnificent greensward, there stood a pole a hundred -feet high, surmounted by a huge wooden bird with outspread wings. It -served as a target to a company of Tyrolese archers, experts with the -cross-bow. The prize was a beautiful silver-gilt vase. It was hotly -contested for, and finally fell to a son of the celebrated Tyrolese -Hofer. - -Finally, an enormous balloon rose in the air. The aeronaut’s name -was Kraskowitz, and he proved a worthy emulator of Garnerin and -Blanchard, for a short time after his ascent he soared majestically -above the crowd, waving a number of flags of the various nations whose -representatives had forgathered in Vienna. - -An hour later, the aeronaut, after a unique view of a splendid scene, -came gently down in the island of Lobau, the spot connected with one of -the remarkable military feats of modern history. - -Then there was an interruption of the games. Sixteen large tables -were spread on a vast lawn, the four thousand veterans sat down to a -profusely served repast, while from several bandstands, decorated with -standards and panoplies of war, there uprose the strains of military -symphonies. In another part of the park, four elegantly decorated tents -in which companies of Bohemians, Hungarians, Austrians, and Tyrolese -respectively, in the picturesque dresses of their countries, performed -national dances to the sound of their own particular instruments, -diversified by their patriotic songs. - -The sovereigns during the whole of the time wandered about, unescorted, -taking stock of everything, and chatting familiarly with the veterans, -many of whose faces were absolutely riddled with scars. There was -something patriarchal in their thus mingling with the crowd, which eyed -them curiously, respectfully following them everywhere. - -When night fell, a hundred thousand lamps converted the Augarten -into a blaze of light, and then there were magnificent fireworks in -front of the palace. The principal pieces represented the monuments -of Milan, Berlin, and St. Petersburg. There was an immense crowd in -the avenues of the Augarten, but at no moment was order disturbed in -the slightest. This popular rejoicing was marked by a serious and -thoughtful calm, for which the German character alone, perhaps, can -offer a model. - -At the termination of the fireworks, the sovereigns strolled through -the streets, and were everywhere hailed with unanimous cheers. Then the -entire Court repaired to the theatre of the Carinthian Gate to witness -the performance of the ballet _Flore et Zéphire_. All the palaces, -mansions, and private dwellings were most brilliantly illuminated; and -‘transparencies,’ bearing enthusiastic mottoes, had not been spared. -Dancing and music went on throughout the whole of the night; it was, -in fact, an uninterrupted scene of magnificence and happiness. Joy -prevailed everywhere, a joy due less perhaps to the fête that had been -offered to the people than to the hope of a durable peace, the price of -which had been paid by many years of constant sacrifices. - - - - -CHAPTER V - - The Prater--The Carriages--The Crowd and the Sovereigns--The - Sovereigns’ Incognito--Alexander Ypsilanti--The Vienna - Drawing-Rooms--Princesse Bagration--The Narischkine Family - --A Lottery. - - -I had promised to meet Alexander Ypsilanti in the grand avenue of the -Prater, and at the appointed time I was there. To me the beautiful spot -teemed with delightful recollections; each scene reminded me of a fête, -of a love-tryst, or of a meeting with friends, of dreams, of hopes, of -illusions, perhaps gone for ever. - -During a long pilgrimage in my younger days, I have seen all the -renowned public promenades of Europe, and everywhere the people -maintained that the one adorning their own capital was superior to -any other. I have always preferred the Vienna Prater to the Bois de -Boulogne, to Kensington Gardens, to the Wood at the Hague, to the -Cascines of Florence, and to all the other vaunted resorts whether at -Moscow, Petersburg, or Constantinople; for in the first-named spot are -united the beauties of nature that delight the eye, and the sight of a -happy condition, comforting and refreshing to the soul. - -The Prater abuts on the faubourgs of Vienna. It is situated on one of -the islands of the Danube, which virtually constitutes its boundary. -It is throughout planted with century-old trees, affording a majestic -shade, and preventing the huge greensward from being scorched by the -sun. It is crossed in every direction by imposing avenues. As at -Schönbrunn, and at the majority of like resorts in Germany, herds -of deer browse peacefully on the heights or disport themselves in -the flatter parts, thus imparting life and motion to the delicious -solitude. These are properly the aspects of a mild and virgin nature, -but at the same time they are embellished by all the resources of -cultivation and art. To the left of the Prater, on entering it from the -city, there is an immense lawn, set apart for the display of fireworks; -to the right there is a circus capable of accommodating several -thousands of spectators; facing one, a large avenue of chestnuts, -bordered on each side by elegant constructions, including a number -of shops, cafés, and casinos where the Viennese can indulge to their -hearts’ content in their well-known love for music. - -In the avenue of chestnuts, constantly filled with sumptuous carriages -and with riders managing their mounts of all breeds with that peculiar -Hungarian skill, the wealth and display of all the neighbour-states -of Austria seem to have forgathered. The emperor himself drives an -unpretending ‘turn-out’ with the simplicity of a well-to-do tradesman -bent upon an airing; while a hackney-cab, taken by the hour, and -fearing no competition, gets right into his imperial majesty’s road, -and is itself overtaken by the vehicle of a Bohemian magnate or by -a Hungarian palatine tooling a four-in-hand. In a lightly-built -_calèche_, drawn by horses with manes streaming in the breeze, are -seated women with complexions like lilies and roses, and presenting the -appearance of baskets of flowers. The constant variety of the scenes, -the animation of the pedestrians, the general bustle, increased by the -presence of numberless strangers, but tempered by the constitutional -gravity of the Germans themselves, constitute a most lovely and -stirring picture; it is a scene by Teniers, framed in a landscape by -Ruysdael. - -The life of the Viennese in the Prater is a pretty faithful image of -their own government, a despotic government, no doubt, but which, for -all that, has only one aim--the welfare and material prosperity of the -country. Differing from other states, and notably from France, whose -administration, constantly libelled and insulted, takes its revenge by -making the ‘governed’ its enemy, the public powers in Austria, subject -to no control, assiduously endeavour to be the protector and the guide -of the people. That protection is accepted with joy; and if despotism -is now and again constrained to show its teeth, its dictates are, as it -were, carried out in the family circle and with the lesser or greater -consent of the calm and thoughtful people itself. Consequently, the -alien, watching them under those magnificently umbrageous pleasure -resorts, and beholding the emperor, his family, and his ministers -mingling with the crowd, unprotected either by guards or escorts, is -tempted to envy them such a genuine and solid happiness. - -During the period of the Congress the Prater became more brilliant than -it had ever been before. Vienna was so full of strangers, coming from -all countries to be the eyewitnesses of an assembly supposed to be the -fitting termination to an epoch replete with prodigious events, that -the number of carriages had incredibly increased. There was an infinite -variety of dresses, Hungarian, Polish, and Oriental, an infinite number -of uniforms whose wearers hailed from every part of Europe, and who -dazzled the sight with their splendour. Masses of people, driving, -riding, and walking under the still warm rays of an autumn sun, -imparted to the beautiful spot even more than its ordinary animation. - -What struck me most, at the first sight, was the great number of -carriages of the same shape and colour, and all drawn by two or four -horses. It was simply the result of another exquisitely courteous -attention of the emperor, who made it a point that the sovereigns and -the members of their suites should be provided solely from the imperial -stables, and as such ordered three hundred conveyances of an identical -form to be built and to be held, day and night, at the disposal of his -guests. - -This living panorama enabled me to review, in the space of a few -minutes, all the sovereigns and celebrities contained within the walls -of Vienna. A prominent figure among these was Lord Stewart, the English -ambassador, himself driving a team of four horses which would have won -the approval of the _habitués_ of Hyde Park. Almost immediately behind -him, in an elegant chaise, came the Emperor Alexander, his charming -sister the Duchess of Oldenburg seated next to him; while on one side -of the conveyance Prince Eugène de Beauharnais, and on the other the -Crown Prince of Würtemberg, both on horseback, pay their court, though -for different motives, to the illustrious pair. Alexander had dispensed -with all his decorations, except one, that of ‘l’Épée’ of Sweden, -which, to speak the truth, shone with great elegance and brilliancy -on his dark green uniform. A little further on, in an open _calèche_, -I caught sight of Alexander’s second sister, the Grand-Duchess of -Saxe-Weimar, no less charming and graceful than her elder. Following -these comes Emperor Francis in an unpretending phaeton, accompanied -by his young and sweet consort, his third wife, Marie Louise of -Austria-Este, her comely features beaming with happiness. - -At that moment, the crowd of pedestrians instinctively stops with a -feeling of pride and respect to watch Prince Charles (of Bavaria) -himself driving his family in an unpretentious conveyance. - -Zibin, dressed in his brilliant uniform of hussars, is borne along -swiftly on a Ukrainian charger; his hat is surmounted by a plume -of feathers which might easily be mistaken for the tail of a -hirsute comet. The grand berline, with its panels decorated with -large--somewhat too large--scutcheons, contains Sir Sidney Smith, -conspicuous by the liberal display of his quarterings amidst this -very modest company. The King of Prussia gallops with a solitary -aide-de-camp, and close to him come the Prince of Hesse-Homburg and -Tettenborn, to both of whom I send a fraternal salute. - -Lord Castlereagh showed his long-drawn face, with _ennui_ stamped on -every line of it, from a _coupé_. It did not even light up when a -hackney-cab ran into the _calèche_ of the Pasha of Widin. After this -came the carriages of the archdukes, keeping religiously in line, and, -as far as their amusements went, claiming no privileges beyond those of -simple private individuals. ‘Only using their rights when discharging -the duties attached to them,’ as Mme. de Staël expressed it. - -At the turning of an avenue, I caught sight of Alexander Ypsilanti. -Five years had gone by since our parting at St. Petersburg, when he was -only an ensign in the regiment of the ‘Chevaliers Gardes,’ and now he -was a major-general, covered with well-earned orders, but minus an arm -lost at the battle of Bautzen. We strolled away from the crowd, the -better to enjoy the pleasure of our re-union. His good fortune had not -changed the qualities of his heart, ever open to noble feelings and -ever responsive to the words ‘friendship’ and ‘country.’ He was the son -of the Hospodar of Moldavia and Wallachia.[50] His father, overthrown -by one of those palace revolutions so frequent in Turkey, was obliged -to fly. Alexander, who was only sixteen, placed himself at the head of -a troop of Arnauts of eight hundred men, escorted his father across -the Carpathian mountains, and saved his life when escaping from the -eunuchs of the seraglio. He came to seek refuge in Russia. Educated -and brought up under the care and through the generosity of Emperor -Alexander, the young prince entered his service, and in a short time -opened a brilliant career for himself. His generous disposition, his -bold and enterprising mind, his open character strongly appealed to -me, and we became close friends. As a matter of course, we wished to -prolong the pleasure of this, practically our first meeting after many -years, so we went to dine at the tavern named the ‘Empress of Austria.’ -This was the usual resort of most of the strangers who were not on -the budget of the Court or who wished to avoid the etiquette almost -inseparable from its hospitality. This gathering, almost unnoticed -at first, became soon afterwards a kind of debating centre, and had, -if not a voice in the deliberations of the Congress, at any rate, a -certain importance. - -We took our seats at a table, already occupied by at least a score of -diners belonging to various nations. In spite of the difference of -interest and of position in a country distant from their own, strangers -were most eager to associate with each other: generals, diplomatists, -and simple travellers were mingled together at this impromptu banquet. -Some were ordnance officers of the sovereigns that had come to shear; -others, advocates of those who were being shorn. The first part of -the repast was, as usual, rather serious; people were taking stock of -each other, and the music of an excellent band made up for the lack of -conversation. They all seemed bent upon a diplomatic reserve. - -I was seated near young Luchesini, who had arrived a few days -previously, and who was sent to Vienna by the Grand-Duchess of Tuscany -to concert measures with M. Aldini on the subject of Mme. Bacciochi’s -claims on the grand-duchy and of the principality of Lucca.[51] I had -seen M. Luchesini when he was very young at his mother’s in Paris; -but for the moment I did not recognise him. The notable changes, both -in his fortunes and in his person, were sufficient to justify my -lapse of memory. His father, the Marquis de Luchesini, for many years -the Prussian ambassador at the Court of Napoleon, had enjoyed great -consideration in Paris,[52] a consideration well deserved in virtue of -his conspicuous diplomatic talent and his intellectual attainments as a -private individual. He had paid great attention to the education of his -son, who, endowed with all the advantages calculated to ensure success, -started in life under the most auspicious circumstances. Presented -by his family at the new Court of Tuscany, and attracting the notice -of the sovereign of the hour, he was appointed grand equerry. It was -said that love, which abridges social distances, had made the young -favourite the happiest of mortals. I soon discovered that his delicate -position somewhat tied his tongue in his conversation with me. He -informed me that his family was living on their beautiful estate near -Lucca, and after a few general observations, we exchanged addresses, -promising to meet again. - -To the hundred thousand strangers in Vienna, the Congress was rather -an immense pleasure-gathering than a political assembly. Truly, each -sovereign had his ambassadors and ministers, but each country had -also sent representatives of its best society. Upon the first-named -devolved the discussions of international interest and the settlement -of international problems; upon the second the more pleasant duty -of giving fêtes, entertainments, and holding receptions. Among the -plenipotentiaries of this drawing-room diplomacy stood foremost the -Comtesse Edmond de Périgord for France; for Prussia, the Princesse de -la Tour et Taxis (Thurn und Taxis); for England, Lady Castlereagh; for -Denmark, Comtesse de Bernstorff. - -The upper stratum of German society was divided into several factions -or circles, and each had its particular shade and physiognomy. At the -Princesses Marie Esterhazy’s, de Colloredo’s, de Lichtenstein’s, and -at the Comtesse de Zichy’s, great courtesy and grace were added to the -minutest and numberless details of an ever-watchful hospitality. At -Mme. de Fuchs’s, the whole was on a less ceremonious footing; while, -on the contrary, the acme of ceremoniousness was attained at the -Princesse de Fürstenberg’s. Distinguished both for her learning and -for her energy, the princess’s habitual guests were princes many of -whom had become subjects. The handsome Duchesse de Sagan’s receptions -were eagerly attended. She was a most intellectual woman, and could -have exercised great influence on all serious affairs, inasmuch as her -judgment was considered in the light of an authority, but she rarely -made use of her advantages. The diplomatic celebrities forgathered -at M. de Humboldt’s or at M. de Metternich’s, the latter of whom, -undoubtedly, ought to have been named first. In fact, though his -residence was the central point of affairs, he still found it possible -to welcome strangers with the most indefatigable politeness. - -The Russian drawing-room _par excellence_ was that of the Princesse -Bagration, the wife of the field-marshal of that name. She, as it -were, enacted, though informally, the part of principal hostess to -her countrymen who happened to be in Vienna. She was one of the most -brilliant stars in that number of constellations the Congress had -attracted. She seemed to have been singled out by the charm and the -distinction of her manners to transfer thither the polished form -and the aristocratic ease which at that time made the drawing-rooms -of St. Petersburg the foremost of Europe. In that respect no -minister-plenipotentiary would have used his opportunities to better -purpose. - -The Princesse Bagration, who since then has been much admired in Paris, -was at that period in the zenith of her beauty. A young face, white -like alabaster and slightly tinted with pink, small features, a sweet, -though very feeling expression, to which her short-sightedness gave an -air of timidity and uncertainty; of average height though exquisitely -proportioned, and the whole of her personality pervaded by a kind of -Oriental languor joined to an Andalusian grace--such was, without -exaggeration, the charming hostess entrusted that evening with the -amusement of those illustrious personages often as much bored as the -‘unamusable’ lover of Mme. de Maintenon. - -When Prince Koslowski and I entered the drawing-rooms, the Emperor -Alexander, the Kings of Prussia and of Bavaria, several other princes -and sovereigns, and a considerable number of strangers of distinction -had already arrived. The whole of the Russian aristocracy and the -Russian celebrities at that moment forgathered in Vienna seemed to have -appointed to meet there. MM. de Nesselrode, Pozzo di Borgo, the Comte -Razumowski, Russian ambassador to the Austrian Court, and the Prince -Volkonski were simply a trifle more conspicuous than the rest; but -among this crowd of familiar faces I might well have fancied myself -transferred to one of the hospitable palaces of St. Petersburg four -years previously. - -Among this crowd of notabilities, special mention should be made, in -virtue of their high position and their intellectual charm, of the -various members of the Narischkine family. - -The Narischkines are closely related to the Imperial House of Russia. -The mother of Peter the Great was a Narischkine; hence they consider -themselves of an origin too noble to have any need of titles. In fact, -that of ‘prince’ is so common in Russia as scarcely to constitute -a distinction. The elder of the two brothers enjoyed the reputation -of being the wittiest man at the Court of Emperor Alexander. His -conversation was as varied as it was amusing, and a collection of his -witticisms and epigrams would make a bulky volume, though they were -neither as subtle nor as brilliant as those of the Prince de Ligne, -not to mention those of Talleyrand; but when by chance, during the -Congress, these three men were together, then, unquestionably, there -was a real display of intellectual fireworks. - -His daughter, the Princesse Hélène, had, in addition to great physical -beauty, a naturally brilliant intellect and a noble, sympathetic heart. -She married the son of the famous General Souvaroff, but her husband -was drowned during a journey in Wallachia. In spite of the warning of -his post-boy, he insisted upon crossing the little river Rimnik when -it was swollen by the rains and had become a downright torrent. He was -carried away by the current, without the slightest possibility of any -one coming to his aid. At the time of Paul I.‘s death, the princess’s -father occupied an apartment exactly under that of the emperor; she -herself was a mere babe. Awakened by the noise and tumult that followed -the assassination of Catherine the Great’s son, her nurse took her -into her arms, and in her fear hid her in an isolated and disused -sentry-box, where she was only found next morning. - -The grand-chamberlain had been a favourite with Paul and managed to -preserve the favour of his son Alexander. The footing on which he -lived baffles description: he literally kept open house, the stir and -bustle of which never ceased; one could have called it a caravanserai -of princes. The plants, the flowers, the constant song of birds, -conveyed the impression, even in mid-winter, of a spring day in Italy. -He was as generous as he was lavish, and his prodigality often reduced -him to sore straits. The following is one instance among many. -Emperor Alexander had given him the star of the Order of St. Andrew, -magnificently set in diamonds. Being pressed for money, he had raised a -considerable sum upon it; and when the empress’s fête-day came round, -he felt in a terrible predicament, for he was unable to redeem his -pledge and he could not appear without it in full dress at the palace. -The only ‘plaque’ like it was that of the emperor himself. At an utter -loss to get out of the difficulty, he got hold of the emperor’s valet, -and by dint of promises, cajoling and the like, prevailed upon the -servant to lend him his master’s decoration. The man got frightened, -however, at the possible consequences of what he had done and informed -the sovereign. - -Alexander did not breathe a single word, but as a punishment did -not take his eyes off the ‘plaque’ during the whole of the evening, -examining it minutely through his glasses whenever his chamberlain drew -near. - -M. Narischkine accompanied Empress Elisabeth on her journey from St. -Petersburg to Vienna. When Alexander entrusted him with the mission, -fifty thousand roubles in paper were handed to his chamberlain, -together with directions for the route to be followed. A few days -later, the emperor took Narischkine aside. ‘You had the parcel I sent -you, cousin mine?’ asked the emperor. - -‘Yes, sire, I received and read the first volume of the Itinerary.’ - -‘Already? And you are waiting for the second?’ - -‘A second edition, sire, rather than a second volume.’ - -‘I see what you mean. A second edition, revised and augmented.’ - -The second edition was handed to him a couple of hours afterwards. - -His brother, the ‘grand veneur’ (say, ‘Master of the Buck Hounds’), -was the husband of that magnificent Marie Antonia, _née_ Princesse -Czerwertinska, one of the loveliest women in Europe, who for such a -long period held captive the heart of the handsome autocrat. Though -not endowed with as much wit as his elder, the younger Narischkine was -by no means devoid of it. He proved it by the philosophic manner with -which he bore his conjugal misfortunes. Often, in his replies to the -emperor, he put them in a naïve and diverting light. It was not the -grovelling acquiescence of a man who glories in his dishonour, but the -resignation to an evil which he could neither prevent nor mend. - -One day Alexander was asking him for news of his children. ‘Of mine, -sire, or of those of the Crown?’ was the counter-query. - -On another occasion, there was a similar inquiry about his family and -about his two daughters. The emperor, meeting him, made some kindly -reference to them. ‘But, sire, the second is yours,’ replied the ‘grand -veneur.’ Alexander’s sole retort was a smile. - -Of course, the satire of the elder, which spared nobody, was not -particularly lenient with regard to the younger. The latter took -great pains with his hair, which was always dressed and curled with -the utmost care. Some one having made a remark to that effect in the -hearing of the grand-chamberlain, got his answer pat. ‘It is not -surprising; my brother’s head is arranged by the hands of a master.’[53] - -During this long liaison, and notwithstanding the sway handsome Mme. -Narischkine exercised over her illustrious lover, the latter was -ever careful to save appearances. Amidst those quickly succeeding -entertainments and receptions at the period of the Congress, during -that daily and hourly existence of often relaxed etiquette. Empress -Elisabeth would have been necessarily and frequently brought face to -face with her rival, and would naturally have felt the slight. Mme. -Narischkine did not appear at the Congress. - -Close by the Emperor of Russia sat the Princesse de la Tour et Taxis, -_née_ Mecklenburg-Strelitz, and sister-in-law to the King of Prussia. -That sovereign had practically transferred to her all the affection he -bore to his lost wife: the princess had a remarkable influence over -him, and she never requested a favour in vain. Gifted with a superior -intellect, and a beauty that had become proverbial, though it did not -equal that of her dead sister, the princess, by her charming manners, -even more than her stately bearing, compelled instantaneous admiration -and genuine respect. Among the many distinguished personages assembled -in Vienna, she shone with unusual brilliancy in virtue of her combining -every good quality. - -I was placed close to Prince Koslowski and the Baron Ompteda, and felt -confident that among so numerous a company ample material would be -afforded to them for their faculties of clever observation. - -‘Just cast your eye behind the chair of Emperor Alexander,’ -remarked the Baron to me; ‘and look at his brother, the Grand-duke -Constantine. He is the third personage of the empire, and probably -the heir-presumptive to the throne. Nevertheless, observe his servile -attitude, and the affectation with which, as it were, he proclaims -himself the Czar’s first subject. One would think him permeated -with the sentiment of submission as others are with the feeling of -liberty. Personally, I fail to understand this voluptuous enjoyment -of obedience. And now,’ he went on, ‘glance at that other personage -close to him; that is the young Prince de Reuss, the twenty-ninth of -the name. In his case, it’s a horse of a different colour. He has -tumbled or drifted into the dreamland of I do not know what kind of -German sect or school, and has become imbued with a sort of affected -sentimentalism calculated to spoil the most sterling and happiest gifts -of nature. This vague sentimentality, which he professes in and out of -season, inspires him with the strangest ideas. A few days ago, he wrote -to a lady, seated not far away from us: “Hope constantly renewed and -equally constantly destroyed only keeps one alive to languish suspended -like Mahomet’s coffin between heaven and earth. It is for you to decide -... it is a question of your love or my death.” He has not had the -one given to him, and he has taken good care not to inflict the other -upon himself. And thus, from sheer lightness of heart, people adopt -ridiculous fads, far often less pardoned by the world at large than -real faults. His uncle, Henri XV. or Henri XVI., the actual civil and -military governor of Vienna, is somewhat more positive. Frederick the -Great one day asked him if the princes of his house were numbered like -hackney-carriages. “No, sire, not like hackney-carriages, but like -kings,” was the answer. Frederick must have been somewhat embarrassed -at the reply; nevertheless it pleased him, as everything witty and -spontaneous did, and from that moment Prince Henri always enjoyed his -favour and goodwill.’ - -Shortly afterwards Prince Koslowski drew my attention to a lady placed -near Empress Elisabeth. It was the Comtesse Tolstoy, _née_ Princesse -Baratynski, the wife of the grand-marshal. Her mother belonged to the -Holstein family, and was a cousin once removed of Catherine II. - -‘You are probably aware,’ he said, ‘that the marshal is in disgrace?’ - -‘Yes, prince,’ I answered; ‘but I do not know the cause.’ - -‘The cause is this. Tolstoy, emboldened by the emperor’s indulgent -manner towards him, thought fit now and again to adopt a tone of -remonstrance which few sovereigns would have tolerated. He opposed -him in almost everything. Alexander often laughed at his fretful -remarks; at rare intervals he got angry, and retaliated in his own way. -When both happened to be travelling in an open sledge and Tolstoy’s -cavilling put the czar out of patience, he simply gave him a push which -sent him sprawling in the snow, and left him to run for a few minutes -after the light conveyance. When he considered that the punishment had -lasted long enough, he pulled up his horses, and the marshal, grumbling -all the while, resumed his seat by the side of his master, and the -matter was at an end. Convinced that things would go on for ever in -that way, Tolstoy raised an opposition to Alexander’s appearance at -the Congress. According to him, the emperor’s rôle there would not be -consistent with his dignity. Weary at last, the emperor this time took -the matter seriously and parted with his grand-marshal, who, it is -said, will not be comforted in his disgrace. The moral of all this is: -“Put not your trust in the friendship of princes.”’ - -In fact, a little while afterwards, the Comte Tolstoy, unable to -survive the loss of his sovereign’s favour, died at Dresden, whither he -had retired. - -All at once a great silence fell upon the room. A young French -actress, Mme. L----, a pupil of Talma, and a protégée of the Princesse -Bagration, was going to recite. She had only recently arrived from -Paris. Though French tragic poetry stands essentially in need of the -illusion of the stage and the advantage of costume, that kind of -entertainment was not indulged in so lavishly as it is to-day; hence, -the handsome actress commanded great attention. She recited with much -feeling some strophes from _Zaïre_, and did great credit to her tutor -in the beautiful scene of the ‘_Songe d’Athalie_.’ She was cordially -applauded and complimented, and never had a _débutante_ such an -audience to judge her. - -After this, the guests crowded round a table set out with rich -and elegant objects. There was to be a lottery, a kind of elegant -diversion revived from the Court of Louis XIV., whose love for Mlle. -de la Vallière had first suggested it to him. Then, as now, it was -a favourite recreation with women. Each sovereign contributed to -these lotteries one or more presents, which, falling to the lot of -the lucky ones, afforded these an opportunity of presenting them to -the ladies of their thought. That kind of amusement was frequently -repeated during the Congress. The most remarkable lotteries were those -drawn at the Princesse Marie Esterhazy’s and at Mme. Bruce’s, _née_ -Moushkin-Poushkine. The mania for them spread from the drawing-rooms -to less distinguished places, and subsequently became the cause of an -adventure which aroused much excitement. - -Some of the prizes were magnificent, the Grand-duke Constantine won two -magnificent vases contributed by the King of Prussia from the royal -porcelain works at Berlin. He offered them to our charming hostess. -The King of Bavaria won a handsome box in mosaic, which he begged -Princesse Marie Esterhazy to accept; and the Comte Capo d’Istria -drew a casket beautifully worked in steel, which he presented to the -Princesse Volkonski. Two small bronze candlesticks fell to the share -of Emperor Alexander. He gave them to Mlle. L----, to whom, it was -said, he had become very attentive. ‘His majesty’s love affairs are not -likely to entail any considerable draft on the imperial treasury,’ some -one whispered close to me. ‘He had just made Mlle. L---- a present, -by means of the candlesticks, of a few louis. This must be accounted -as a piece of tremendous generosity, for as a rule he receives more -than he gives. All the linen he wears is from the deft needle of Mme. -Narischkine; he not only accepts the workmanship, but he always forgets -to refund to her the cost of the material. The charming favourite makes -no secret of it. Louis XIV. frequently crops up in conversation in -connection with his fêtes at Versailles. Our sovereigns would do well -to imitate them. However artistically chased those candlesticks may -be, Mlle. L---- will not be prepared to think them as valuable as the -diamond bracelets the Grand Monarque won at Madame’s lottery and which -he offered in such an exquisite manner to La Vallière.’[54] - -‘All this,’ said Prince Koslowski to me, ‘is certainly in excellent -taste, but these fêtes are absolutely nothing in comparison with those -given by Potemkin to Catherine in the Taurida and after the taking of -Oczakoff. Our mothers are never tired of talking of them. There was -also a kind of lottery, but skill instead of chance presided at it. In -the ball-room there was a long row of marble columns, positively hung -with garlands composed of jewels and trinkets. The dances were arranged -so that every gentleman passing near these columns could detach from -them some precious ornament which he offered to his partner. As you -may imagine, that courtly fashion of offering presents was intensely -relished by the fair sex, and Catherine herself discharged their debt -of gratitude by heaping still greater riches on her favourite. That’s -what I should call amusements fit for sovereigns. After all, we are -becoming very mean.’ - -A great many prizes of minor importance were subsequently drawn for, -and there was a kind of mild ‘give and take’ in connection with them. -The room was so crowded that I only caught sight of Ypsilanti when he -came forward to receive a sable cape which he offered to the Princesse -Souvaroff. Taking advantage of a momentary thinning of the crowd, I -drew up to them to say a few words to Princesse Hélène, whom I was -sincerely pleased to meet again. ‘I dare say we have a lot to tell each -other,’ she said. ‘Come with Ypsilanti to luncheon to-morrow. We’ll be -more at our ease than here, and by ourselves. We’ll have a talk about -bygone days.’ I accepted gladly, confident that her conversation would -remind me of my stay in Russia, which constituted one of the best -periods of my life. - -When the sovereigns had retired, there were some music and dancing, -followed by an elegant supper, without restraint and during which one -could gossip to one’s heart’s content. It was, in short, one of those -series of fleeting hours which at Vienna seemed to be woven of gold and -silk by fairies in the loom of pleasure. - - - - -CHAPTER VI - - The Castle of Laxemburg--Heron-Hawking--The Empress of Austria - --A Royal Hunt--Fête at the Ritterburg--A Recollection - of Christina of Sweden--Constance and Theodore, or the - Blind Husband--Poland--Scheme for her Independence--The - Comte Arthur Potocki--The Prince de Ligne and Isabey-- - The Prince de Ligne’s House on the Kalemberg--Confidential - Chats and Recollections--The Empress Catherine II.--Queen - Marie-Antoinette--Mme. de Staël--Casanova. - - -‘These sovereigns on their holidays,’ as the Prince de Ligne called -them, had to be constantly amused, or at any rate prevented at all cost -from being bored. The committee appointed by the emperor, and composed -of the most eminent personages of the Austrian Court, cudgelled their -brains to devise a new diversion for each day. They were, above all, -very busy with the preparations for the great imperial tournament -which, it was intended, should constitute a never-to-be-forgotten -feature of the brilliant functions of the Congress. The cut, the -shape, and the colour of the dresses were matters of incessant study; -the horses were drilled every day; the champions spent many hours -rehearsing the various movements and passes which were to remind all of -us of the ancient days of chivalry; the ladies tried on the magnificent -gowns and ornaments, the historical accuracy of which was to carry the -suffrages of everybody by pleasing the eye. But pending the termination -of those busy preparations, a big hunt had been organised in the woods -and park of the imperial residence, Laxemburg, and numerous invitations -issued. - -Laxemburg is about six miles from Schönbrunn. The park is laid out -on English models. There are densely-wooded plantations at irregular -intervals, further on vast lawns leading to thick and sombre forests; -swelling tracts of ground ingeniously arranged, and masses of rocks; -everywhere the most varied and unexpected vistas. In one word, art has -combined in a restricted space the different beauties of nature. The -most conspicuous feature, though, is a magnificent piece of water, one -might call it a lake, the aspect of which reminds one of the landscapes -of Switzerland. On its limpid surface there lay at that period a -miniature frigate with its cannon, masts and rigging, and other small -craft, the brilliant bunting of which imparted life and colour to the -rippling, dancing wavelets. - -Schönbrunn had been the object of Maria-Theresa’s predilection, -consequently Laxemburg had suffered as a residence at the cost of its -neighbour. Emperor Francis made up for the undeserved neglect. On a -slope some short distance from the lake, he erected the ‘Ritterburg,’ -which has become one of the principal sights of Austria. It is an -exact imitation of one of the sombre castles or forbidding manors of -mediæval feudalism. The massive walls, flanked by crenellated towers, -are surrounded by a deep moat filled with water. The inner court, with -its pavilions, its barriers, the whole arranged for single combats and -tournaments, forms the lists. The halls are in keeping with the court; -they are filled with stands of arms, coats of mail, breastplates, -lances, etc. From its Gothic pillars hang panoplies; from its ogival -arches are suspended banners, their staffs adjusted amidst turbans, -richly embroidered, Oriental vestments, the spoil wrested from the -infidels; in short, the relics of the victories that saved Christianity. - -In another hall are preserved weapons, dresses, and other venerable -remains of the heroes whose prowess founded the German Empire, of -Rudolph of Hapsburg, of Maximilian I., and of Charles V. - -Still further on, there is a hall hung with the cloaks of the first -Knights of the Golden Fleece. In a hall leading out of that one stand -the white marble effigies of the emperors sprung from the House of -Austria. These are succeeded by a series of vast reception rooms, -several of which are most admirable in virtue of their decoration. -There is no longer an attempt at imitating the Gothic style; they are -filled with the marvels of art of the period itself--that is, the -masterpieces spared by the hand of time, most exquisite specimens -of sculpture, delicately-worked panels, whole ceilings. All these -precious relics were collected from the convents suppressed at the -period of the building of the ‘Ritterburg.’ Everything calculated to -heighten the illusion was conveyed to the ‘Ritterburg.’ In one spot -there is a narrow winding stair, leading to a dungeon, or rather a -torture-chamber, with its massive doors, its irons and chains, and even -its instruments of torture. Crouching against the further wall, there -is the figure of an ill-fated prisoner, dressed as a Knight Templar and -bending beneath the weight of his fetters. By some ingenious mechanism, -he slowly and painfully drags himself with an effort from his sitting -posture to hold out his arms to the spectator. The gruesome imitation -is so perfect as to produce a shudder in the beholder. - -The topmost story of that tower is a spacious room called the Hall of -Judgment. Narrow ogival windows admit only a sparse light. Twelve stone -seats are ranged in a circle along the walls. In the centre there is -a round table with a circular hole in it, big enough to admit a human -head and no more. On the day of his trial the accused man was bound to -a chair; by means of a contrivance consisting of ropes and pulleys, he -was quickly raised to the summit of the tower, and suddenly his head -emerged from the hole in the board. Before the interrogatory, he was -asked the whole truth; he replied, knowing that at the slightest sign -from his judges the rope attached to his chair could be cut and he -himself be flung from a height of two hundred feet on to the stones of -his dungeon. Nothing could give a more striking idea of the terrible -‘proceedings’ of feudal justice in the Middle Ages than this mechanism. - -The committee entrusted with the programme of the fêtes had, it was -said, entertained the idea of giving a representation of a judiciary -ascension as described; the scene had even been cast. The Empress of -Austria was, however, of opinion that such a picture of anguish and -torture would only mar the brightness of the fête she was preparing for -her guests. - -The chapel of the ‘Ritterburg’ is not the least of its curiosities. It -is the same which was constructed by St. Leopold in the twelfth century -at Kloster-Neuburg. The materials were transferred piecemeal to its -present site, and the monument is in perfect keeping with all those -relics of past days. - -Among the many works of art in the Castle of Laxemburg itself, there -are several paintings by Canaletto; amongst others views of Schönbrunn, -of the Graben, and the Church of the Capuchins. - -Maria-Theresa came now and again to Laxemburg to exchange the cares of -state for the relaxations of hawking. The ‘Ritterburg’ had not been -built then. - -When, amidst the difficulties of finding new recreations, the fêtes -committee conceived the project of bringing the guests of the Congress -to Laxemburg and entertaining them there, the idea of ‘flying’ the -hawk naturally presented itself. In the vicinity of that Gothic castle -nothing could be more in harmony with the style of its construction -than an amusement borrowed from the traditions and manners of the -feudal ages. - -The place of meeting was on the banks of the lake, not far from a -marshy spot tenanted by numerous flocks of water-birds. Foremost among -the company was the lovely Empress of Austria, famed for her love of -sport and her marvellous skill, the graceful Elizabeth, Empress of -Russia, Queen Caroline of Bavaria, her sister, and a number of ladies, -several of whom wore the elegant costume of the sixteenth century. -At the head of the sovereigns on horseback was Emperor Francis, -unflaggingly hospitable. Amidst them, in a low-wheeled _calèche_, is -the enormous King of Würtemberg, famed for his former hunts and hunting -exploits, and anxious to witness tranquil amusement, altogether unlike -the fatigues and perils he was wont to court. - -The huntsmen in their handsome uniforms, holding their dogs in leash, -come first; then come the falconers with their hooded birds on their -wrists, and behind these the eager mass of spectators. - -At a spot where the reeds and rushes impede the view of the lake, there -is a halt, and the dogs’ leashes are slipped to start the birds. The -air rings with barking, and all eyes are strained upward in expectation -of the struggle, somewhat novel to the majority. All of a sudden, a -grey-plumaged heron takes its flight, at first slowly, heavily, and -with listless movement; then spreading its wings it rises rapidly. At -the sight of the bird, promising not an easy victory but a protracted -struggle, the falconers get ready, encouraging _their_ birds with their -cries, awaiting a signal from the empress to give the first pursuer -flight. - -The signal is given, and in the twinkling of an eye the hood is removed -from one of the hawks and it is set free. The falconer points to the -fleeing heron, the impatient hawk shakes its pinions, utters a cry, and -quick as lightning soars aloft. The affrighted heron tries in vain to -rise higher than his pursuer, but the latter directs its flight in such -a manner as to be constantly hovering above its quarry. Each attempt of -the heron meets with a counter-move on the part of the hawk, compelling -its victim to descend. If the heron shows signs of returning to the -starting-point where the hunters are, the hawk, swift as a flash, bars -its progress in that direction and forces it to take the opposite one; -it keeps worrying the other bird, tiring it and practically dazzling it -by the repeated beating of its pinions, until it finally brings it back -to the point within an easy view of the spectators of the struggle. -The heron at length determines upon resistance. Steadily pursuing its -course, and apparently motionless, it presents its long bill, sharp -like a sword, to its foe. The hawk, on its part, decides upon attack. -Rapidly wheeling round and round the heron, it lowers its flight, then -re-ascends and all at once grips the flanks of its victim. Then begins -a veritable struggle at close quarters, with all its fury and all its -rapidly changing incidents. - -The heron has the first advantage; it aims a terrible stroke at its -adversary, piercing it between the neck and one of its pinions as -if with a dagger. The hawk, nevertheless, clings to the heron and -rends the latter’s flesh with its beak. The heron quickly follows up -its strokes; compelled to fight and at the same time to carry the -weight of its foe, it multiplies its attack without getting rid of -its assailant, and the blood of both stains their plumage crimson. In -spite of this, the hawk looks like getting the worse of it. There is a -longer interval between its attacks, which are neither as fierce nor -as sure as heretofore, and the victory bids fair to remain with the -heron, when the falconer despatches a second hawk from among those -which, though hooded up to now, seem aware of the struggle going on, -to judge by the flapping of their wings and the sudden stiffening of -their feathers. The freshly-despatched combatant is a hen-bird, easily -recognised by its beautiful brown plumage, for it is noteworthy that -among this species the females are bigger, stronger, and bolder than -the males. No sooner is the hood removed than the female rises into the -air and, disdaining all preliminary evolutions, fastens its beak into -the neck of the heron. The air is rent by the cries of the hunters, -the barking of the dogs, and the braying of the horns. The heron’s -resistance is, from that moment, useless. The new assailant virtually -smothers it, and, moreover, digs its claws into the heron’s back, while -the male, its strength revived by the timely aid of the female, renews -its attacks. It becomes merely a question of seconds with the ill-fated -heron. After a few spasmodic movements, rendered uncertain by the loss -of blood, it finally closes its eyes and drops to the earth. The two -hawks utter screeches of victory, tear their victim’s eyes out, and -without letting go of it for a moment, drag it to the falconer’s feet. - -According to the ancient usages of the chase, a huntsman stepped -forward at that moment, and, plucking from the heron’s neck its fine -and elegant plumage, constituting as it were a natural aigrette, he -handed it to Emperor Alexander, who, in his turn, immediately offered -it to the lovely Empress of Austria. The horns sounded ‘the death,’ -while the birds devoured their quarry, and the illustrious guests -crowded round the falconers to compliment them. - -This, after all, was only the prelude to a more important sporting item -of the programme. Every care had been taken to ensure its success. The -signal for a new start was given, and we moved towards another part of -the park, where on an immense lawn surrounded by trees a vast arena -had been arranged for the guns. At one side there was a circular stand -for the guests of the Court. The sovereigns and the high personages in -whose honour the entertainment was given took up their positions, each -one provided with four pages charged with loading the guns, in order to -spare the principals the slightest fatigue. - -The general beating-up had taken place on the previous night. At the -word of command from the empress the circle of beaters drew in, and -at the same moment from all the outlets of the wood, there emerged a -numberless quantity of wild-boars, deer, hares, and game of all kind, -which in a few moments were killed by the privileged marksmen, amidst -the general applause of the lookers-on. - -My friends and I had taken up our positions a little distance away -from the Empress of Austria, who was using only a musket, loaded with -ball, and who aimed exclusively at hares or small game, which she never -missed. - -This file-firing, or rather this kind of slaughter, only ceased when -the number of animals killed amounted to several thousands. Once -more the forest rang with the barking of the dogs, the cries of the -spectators, mingled with the sound of hunting-horns. The ground -literally disappeared under the heaped-up game, its blood still -trickling. Truly, after the noble struggle we had just witnessed, it -became difficult not to admit that the amusements of our fathers were -superior to ours. - -Ypsilanti seemed surprised at the remarkable skill of the Empress -of Austria, and at the steadiness of her aim. Without for a moment -wishing to detract from either, I told him what I had seen in the -arsenal at Stockholm, namely, a long carabine which was loaded with a -single pellet of the smallest shot, and with which, it is said, Queen -Christina amused herself by bringing down the flies on the walls of her -rooms without ever missing one. - -Soon after the termination of the sport, night set in rapidly. -Suddenly, as if at the touch of a magic wand, the lawn and the avenues -of the park were lighted up by enormous ‘pitch-pots,’ known in Turkey -as _machala_, the blaze of which carries very far. At the same -moment, the inside of the ‘Ritterburg’ was illuminated from roof to -basement for the reception of the illustrious guests who were going -to assemble there. When Emperor Francis constructed the castle as an -exact illustration of the ideas prevailing during the feudal era, he -certainly did not foresee the forgathering under its roof in one day -of such a number of illustrious personages, from emperors to knights. -Though only those provided with invitations had been admitted to -Laxemburg, their number was so great as to make perambulation in the -various halls and reception rooms exceedingly difficult. The animated -crowd, and the profusion of light constituted the strangest and most -striking contrast to the sombre arches, the panoplies, the dresses and -the ornaments of mediæval times. - -The lovely imperial hostess did the honours of the feudal manor with -her usual grace. A magnificent collation was served, to which succeeded -a concert of a peculiar kind. In a corner of the principal hall -there was an enormous organ; its construction, sound, and ornaments -faithfully recalling the machines with brass pipes and bellows with -which the piety of our forefathers provided the cathedrals of the -Middle Ages. The deep tones of the organ were accompanied by a band -of wind instruments, played by musicians expressly brought from -Bohemia, where instrumental music appears to have reached perfection. -To complete the illusion, they had selected some of the old national -melodies, the traditions of which have been preserved for centuries. -In the intervals, huntsmen, placed on a tower overlooking the castle, -played hunting tunes that sounded like an echo coming from the skies. - -On several occasions during previous concerts, I had noticed a young -man whose eyes were covered with a black bandage, and who was guided -through the crowd by a young lady with an elegant figure, but whose -face was hidden by a thick veil. This time they were close to the -organ, and they evidently enjoyed the music greatly. I asked the Comte -François de Palfi who were these young people, imparting an air of -sadness to a fête rather than partaking of its joys. - -‘That young man,’ he answered, ‘is the Comte Hadick, the young woman is -his wife, and their story is most interesting. - -‘Bound by a very close friendship, additionally cemented by long and -important services to each other, the Comtes Hadick and Amady made up -their minds to tighten these bonds still further by uniting in marriage -their children, who were about the same age. Théodore Hadick, the -only offspring of the illustrious family, was in consequence brought -up with young Constance, who from her infancy bade fair to be as kind -in disposition as she was beautiful in face and figure. At fifteen -the feelings of these two young people were already what they would -continue to be all their lives. The castles of the two magnates were -practically adjacent to each other. Constance, by being present at -the lessons of her young friend, easily learned all those exercises -calculated to impart both bodily and mental gracefulness without being -hurtful to beauty. What united them still more was their passionate -fondness for music, which passion appears innate with the Hungarians. -They were held up everywhere as models of perfection and virtue, and -their fathers were already discussing the time of their wedding, when -the war broke out. - -‘As you are aware, the laws of Hungary compel every noble personally -to fight for his country; and in the periods of great danger, when -the whole of the nation rushes to arms, the magnates march with their -banners at the head of their vassals. The Comte Hadick, jealous for -the honour of his house, was very anxious for his son to share the -forthcoming campaign. Constance, hiding her grief, and solely occupied -with the future and the glory of her betrothed, watched with great -courage the preparations for a parting which the chances of war might -prolong and render eternal. - -‘Theodore, impatient to devote himself to his country, hurried the -moment that was to afford him the chance of showing himself still -more worthy of the girl whom he loved, and the day of his departure -was finally fixed upon. The previous evening, though, the betrothal -took place at the castle, and it was with the certainty of Constance’s -hand that the young count at the head of his vassals went to join the -Hungarian army at Pesth. You know the result of the campaign. The -Hungarians kept up their reputation for brilliant valour. Théodore, in -virtue of several signal actions, deserved the cross conferred upon him -by the chapter of the Order of Maria-Theresa, a distinction considered -one of the foremost in the annals of chivalry. - -‘But while the young man supped full with glory, Constance had been -carried to the brink of the grave by a cruel illness. Stricken down -by an attack of most virulent smallpox, she hovered for a long time -between life and death. The doctors, while saving her, could not -prevent the face which had been one of the most beautiful from becoming -almost hideous. She was only allowed to look at herself when she was on -the high road to recovery. - -‘The sight, as you may imagine, filled her with despair, and, convinced -that Théodore could no longer love her under such conditions, she -ardently prayed for death. - -‘In vain her father and the Comte Hadick tried to reassure her. Haunted -by the horrible dread of being no longer worthy of her betrothed, -she refused to be comforted, and the young girl was simply dying of -despair, there being not the faintest hope left. - -‘Nevertheless, one morning, when she was nestling in the arms of -her father, who bade her live at least for him, the servant who had -accompanied Théodore to the war suddenly rushed into the apartment, -announcing the immediate coming of his master, whose voice, a moment -afterwards, was heard outside. - -‘“Constance, Constance, where art thou?” - -‘At that voice so dear to her, the young girl, lacking the courage to -fly, covered her face with her handkerchief and her hands. - -‘“Do not come near me, Théodore, I have lost my beauty. I have no -longer anything to offer thee but my heart.” - -‘“What do I hear? But look at me, Constance!” - -‘“No, no, thou wouldst only recoil at seeing me.” - -‘“What does it matter, if thy love is the same, Constance. Constance, I -can no longer see thee.” - -‘She raises her eyes and looks. Théodore was blind. The charge of a -musket had deprived him of his sight. - -‘“God be praised!” exclaimed Constance, falling on her knees. -“Théodore, we shall be united, for thou canst still love me. I shall be -thy guide; yes, I shall be to thee as I was in the first moments of our -love, and thou shalt be able to love me still.” - -‘Shortly after that they were married. Never was there a couple so -deserving of happiness more really happy than they. The comtesse takes -her husband everywhere, never leaving his side for a moment. He is -the object of her most delicate attentions; her love for him seems -increased by his terrible affliction. She does not wear that veil to -hide her scarred features, but because she is afraid that the remarks -of the crowd on her vanished beauty may sadden the heart of the husband -whom she worships. - -‘The young comte’s passion for music appears to have increased since he -lost his sight. He regularly attends every concert; and his faithful -companion, who appears only to live for him, is always at his side.’ - -The concert came to an end just as the comte finished his touching -story. Then the windows were opened and magnificent fireworks let -off on the lake. The sheaves of fire crossing each other and being -reflected in the water; the numerous craft, illuminated and streaming -with bunting; the masses of light standing in relief against the sombre -background of the forest; the sound of the horns mingling with the -shells and fusees--all this combined produced a truly magical effect. - -Finally, after this well-spent day we began to think of getting back -to Vienna, probably to recommence next morning the pursuit of the -apparently inexhaustible round of pleasure. - -The next day, however, I had promised to spend with the Prince de Ligne -at his house on the Kalemberg. When I got there, I found the prince in -company with M. Nowosilitzoff, a Russian statesman of great ability -and a trusty adviser of Emperor Alexander, who, it was said at the -time, was deeply interested in the future of Poland. The constitution -of that country, its organisation and its institutions, which were -to reinstate her in her former rank among the European nations--in -short, her destiny--was one of the gravest questions submitted to -the deliberations of the Congress. A most confidential councillor of -the czar and a member of the provisional government of Warsaw, M. -Nowosilitzoff was at that period engaged in drawing up the constitution -intended by the czar for his new kingdom. - -The Prince de Ligne professed an ardent sympathy for Poland. He admired -her chivalrous and hospitable customs, and above all that frankness -which forms the chief trait of the Polish character. Added to this -admiration was his gratitude to a nation which had formerly admitted -him among the ranks of its nobility. Consequently, he sat listening -attentively to the projects of Alexander, projects which just then -inspired a certain belief. As for me, the subject appealed to me like -everything connected with the country in which I spent some of the best -years of my youth. - -‘After so many unprecedented efforts, after so many disappointed hopes -and useless sacrifices, Poland bids fair to breathe at last,’ said -M. Nowosilitzoff. ‘Deceived for many years by the man who had the -misfortune to consider his will as a ruling principle, his power as -a proof of his statesmanship, and his success as a reason for it, the -Poles were not altogether unjustified in believing in promises tending -to reinstate them as a nation.’ - -‘There is no nation on the face of the earth who would not have made -the same sacrifices for so noble an illusion,’ remarked the prince. - -‘No doubt, but constantly letting their thoughts run back, as they do, -to the brilliant periods of their history, they would fain see their -country assume the proud and independent attitude it adopted under the -Bathoris, the Sigismunds, and the Sobieskis; and in this beautiful -dream of the past, and, moreover, deceived by the actual state of -politics in Europe, they will not stop their ambition at the point -imposed by their geographical position. They will only find a country -in the strictest sense through us and with us,’ the councillor went -on. ‘Poland, completely independent and organised on the very risky -basis of its erewhile constitutions, would only secure an ephemeral -existence; she would carry her own germ of destruction. Is she to form -a permanent camp in the centre of pacified Europe, or shall she arm all -her nomadic sons like the Sarmatians of old, in order to make up by -living ramparts for the natural frontiers and fortresses she lacks? She -must have a support in order to insure her independence. Truth, I know, -can only triumph slowly over the power of prejudice; but what is there -to oppose the fact which henceforth is only too palpable? The hope -of a better future, a hope which can only be indulged by unthinking -creatures whom the disasters of their country have failed to restore to -reason and coolness of mind.’ - -‘Burke has said somewhere,’ replied the prince, ‘that the division of -Poland would cost its authors very dear; he might have said the same of -the defenders of the nation, for it is probable that the active share -of Napoleon in the affairs of Poland has contributed in no small degree -to his downfall. May the projects of Alexander remain exempt from a -similar fatality! Everything will depend upon the guarantees given -for the maintenance of the Polish nationality! A people may resign -itself to having been vanquished; it will never resign itself to being -humiliated.’ - -‘The solicitude of the emperor for his new subjects admits of no -discussion,’ observed M. Nowosilitzoff. ‘To be convinced of this, -you have only to glance at this manuscript. It is the draught of the -Constitution of the Kingdom of Poland, and it is corrected by the -hands of Alexander himself. If it be true that great thoughts proceed -direct from the heart, there is ample evidence here of the nobleness of -Alexander’s. The laws and the constitution of the kingdom will be the -keystone of the peace of Europe.’ - -In fact, the few pages he read to us from the manuscript redounded as -much to the honour of the statesman as to that of the philanthropist. -Poland would indeed have been a happy country, if an erroneous policy -had not struck all those dreams of a moment with utter barrenness.[55] - -The commentary of M. Nowosilitzoff, which followed upon the reading -of the document, was interrupted by the arrival of the Comte Arthur -Potocki, the youthful friend of the Prince de Ligne. Though a Pole, -and animated by the most generous feelings towards his country, his -presence vexed the privy councillor to such an extent as to cause him -instantly to roll up his manuscript without adding another word, and to -leave us shortly afterwards. - -The Comte Arthur Potocki, son of the Comte Jean of the illustrious -family of that name, and one of the best educated men in Europe, had a -noble face, an elegant figure, and a cultivated mind. At an age when -most men spend their time in pleasure and frivolous pursuits, he was -conspicuous for a sterling judgment, a wide knowledge, and the most -exquisite politeness. It is not surprising then that he was one of -the most notable men in Vienna society, and eminently fit to occupy -a similar position everywhere. The Prince de Ligne was very fond of -Arthur, whom he called his Alcibiades, and who in his turn worshipped -the bright and witty octogenarian, so indulgent to young men. - -‘Everything has been finally arranged for the imperial _carrousel_ -(musical ride), which is irrevocably fixed for next week,’ said -the young comte, ‘and I have brought you the tickets which the -Grand-Marshal Trauttmansdorff has told me to remit to you. It will be -one of the most brilliant spectacles ever witnessed. To-morrow night -everybody in Vienna laying claim to be somebody is going to the Court -to see the “living pictures” arranged by Isabey. They will be followed -by romances sung and enacted by the handsomest women of the Court, the -lovely Duchesse de Sagan, the Princesse Paul Esterhazy, the Comtesse -Zichy, and several of our most elegant fair ones. Do not fail to -come, gentlemen; you had better take advantage of the joyous hours. -It is rumoured that the Congress will terminate on the 15th December. -Good-bye, until to-morrow. Let the thought of the closing of the -Congress be with you every moment, as it is with me.’ Saying which, he -took his departure. - -The prince reminded me that I had promised to spend a few hours with -him on that day at his house on the Kalemberg. Before going thither he -wished to go to Isabey’s to sit for his portrait, and he asked me to -accompany him. - -‘During that hour of torture to me,’ he laughed, ‘you will have an -opportunity of looking at a series of portraits from his brush. Isabey -is the recorder of the Congress in pigments. And inasmuch as he is -almost as clever with his tongue as with his brush, you’ll not waste -your time.’ - -In a short time we reached the artist’s quarters in the Leopoldstadt. -The front of the house was provided with a barrier to prevent the -deadlock of the visitors’ carriages. Isabey’s arrival at Vienna had -been preceded by his deserved reputation.[56] - -Presented by the Duc de Sérent to Marie-Antoinette, Isabey, at the age -of twenty, painted the portrait of the lovely and ill-fated queen, -who treated him with the utmost kindness, and always called him her -little Lorrain. Subsequently, having become the painter-in-ordinary of -Napoleon, he reproduced the features of all the celebrated men and all -the handsome women of the Empire. It was he who superintended the fêtes -of that brilliant and short-lived era. - -At Vienna, all the European celebrities solicited the distinction -of reproduction by his brush, and he could scarcely comply with all -their requests. The number of portraits he painted at that period -is positively surprising, and supplies a proof of his talent having -been as fertile as it is graceful. Whenever there was a question of -organising this or that entertainment for which the Congress was the -pretext, the artist who had drawn the designs for Napoleon’s coronation -was, as may be imagined, considered in the light of a ‘God-send.’ -Nothing was done without consulting him. - -According to Isabey himself, it was M. de Talleyrand who had prompted -the idea of his going to Vienna; and art is indebted to that journey -for his remarkable and historical drawing of a ‘Sitting of the -Plenipotentiaries at the Congress.’ - -The fall of Napoleon deprived Isabey of nearly all his functions. -One day, in the study of the statesman who at that time was supposed -to have mainly contributed to that catastrophe, the artist spoke -regretfully of a restoration which, as far as he was concerned, spelt -ruin. On one of the walls of the room hung an engraving of the ‘Peace -of Munster,’ after Terburg. Pointing to it, Talleyrand said, ‘A -Congress is to be held at Vienna. Why not go there?’ The few words were -as a ray of light in the darkness to Isabey, and from that moment his -mind was made up. Talleyrand did more than give a hint. He gave him a -most cordial welcome, and proved a kindly and appreciative patron. - -On Prince Eugène’s arrival in Vienna, one of his first calls was -upon Isabey. In his equivocal position, he felt only too glad to see -somebody reminding him of his younger days. The painter by his bright -recollections often dispelled the sadness of the prince. It was Eugène -who shortly afterwards took Isabey to Emperor Alexander. Isabey’s -conversation was always interesting, but it became positively sparkling -and historically valuable when recounting the marvellous details of the -coronation, which, as has been said, were arranged by him. Isabey was -not less delightful when recalling the familiar and every-day life at -Malmaison. - -Already in 1812, during a tour through Germany, Isabey, being in -Prague, had made a sketch of the Prince de Ligne, which sketch he -carefully preserved and which hangs to this day (1830) in his studio. -Notwithstanding the seventy-and-eight years of the model, the sketch -shows the noble and delicately cut features which to the end were the -object of everybody’s admiration. At that period the Prince de Ligne -only knew Isabey by reputation. One morning he called upon the artist, -who happened to be out. But his album lay open near his easel. Instead -of leaving his card, the prince took up a pen and wrote a dozen -tripping and sparkling lines, describing Isabey’s talent, finishing up -with: - - ‘He constitutes as great an honour to art as to his country; - And in virtue of this impromptu, I also am a painter.’ - -This tribute to Isabey’s talent on the part of the Prince de Ligne is -only one of the valuable testimonies contained in Isabey’s album. Every -important personage in Europe, ministers, generals, artists, ladies of -high degree, have equally considered it a pleasure to testify to their -admiration and their esteem. - -Isabey had been quartered magnificently, like Benvenuto Cellini in -days of yore, at the Louvre. His studio, hung from floor to ceiling -with sketches, drawings, and portraits in a more or less advanced -stage of completion, impressed one with the idea of a magic lantern, -representing in turns all the notable personages who at that moment had -forgathered in Vienna. - -The hour taken up with the prince’s sitting seemed short to me. Every -now and again the work was interrupted by this or that subtle remark -or lively reminiscence. The conversation ran principally on a little -adventure in connection with the game of ‘leap-frog,’ which caused -such a stir in Paris at the period of the Consulate, and which was -obstinately believed in, in spite of Isabey’s denials. Here it is in -its original version. - -Bonaparte, as is well known, was in the habit of walking with his arms -crossed upon his chest, and his head slightly bent forward. Isabey was -at Malmaison, and he and some of the First Consul’s aides-de-camp were -having a game of leap-frog on the lawn. Isabey had already jumped over -the heads of most of them, when, at the turning of a path, he espied -the last player who, in the requisite position, seemed to be waiting -for the ordeal. Isabey pursued his course without looking, but took his -flight so badly as only to reach the other’s shoulders, and both rolled -over and over in the sand, and to Isabey’s consternation, his supposed -fellow-player turned out to be Bonaparte. At that period, Bonaparte -had probably not pondered the possibility of a ‘fall’; hence, it was -said, refractory at this first lesson, he got up, foaming at the mouth -with anger, and drawing his sword, pounced upon the unfortunate leaper. -Isabey, luckily for himself better at running than at leaping, took to -his heels, and jumping the ditches dividing the property from the high -road, got over the wall and never stopped until, breathless, he reached -the gates of the Tuileries. Isabey, it was added, went immediately -to Mme. Bonaparte’s apartments, and she, after having laughed at the -mishap, advised him to lie low for a little while. It was still further -reported that it wanted all Josephine’s angelic goodness of heart and -cleverness, besides her usual influence over Bonaparte, to appease -the latter’s anger and to obtain the painter’s pardon. Bonaparte at -that moment was only ‘Consul for Life,’ but people already foresaw the -Empire, and the section of Paris society which was not too well pleased -at the prospect of a possible return to former ideas naturally made the -most of the anecdote of Malmaison. The denials of Isabey, who took good -care to make short work of all the detailed rumours, found little or no -belief; the adventure was considered extremely diverting, and Isabey’s -contradiction of it had no effect. - -In the course of our conversation with Isabey, the Prince de Ligne -pressed him very closely on the subject, as if the _definitive_ fall of -Napoleon sufficed to restore to Isabey all his freedom of speech and -all his frankness on the matter. Isabey, on the other hand, kept on -defending himself with no less energy. - -‘That adventure of Malmaison,’ he said, ‘is an invention from -beginning to end. It is ridiculous, and one of those semi-historical -exaggerations which have grieved me more than I can tell. Napoleon -was made to play a part utterly at variance with his character. When -that story was bruited in Paris, I had not set eyes upon him for more -than six weeks. The moment I heard of it, and of the particulars with -which it was embellished, I went to St. Cloud. As soon as he saw me, -he came up to me, and I had no difficulty in convincing him that I had -no share in the matter; it really seemed to aim at ruining me for ever -in his estimation. He was exceedingly kind, and reminded me of the -well-known rejoinder of Turenne, when his valet struck him by mistake, -and apologised by saying he fancied it was a fellow-servant (called -George). “And supposing it had been George, there was no need to strike -so hard,” said Turenne. But,’ observed Isabey, ‘refuted or not, the -stories that pander to people’s spitefulness are repeated, and finally -remain as quasi-truths.’ - -‘Had I been in your place,’ said the prince, ‘I should not have taken -the trouble to refute the fable. If it had been attributed to me, I -should have accepted the part. It would have been rather interesting to -jump like that on the shoulders of him who so unceremoniously jumped so -well on the shoulders of others.’ - -Afterwards the conversation drifted to young Napoleon, whose portrait -we had admired a few days previously at Schönbrunn. - -‘That child,’ said Isabey, ‘has only one thought occupying his mind, -the recollection of his father. One morning as he was sitting to me, -there was the sound of bugles; the Hungarian Guards were passing down -one of the courts. He immediately glides off his chair, runs to the -window, comes back, and taking my hand, says, “Here are papa’s lancers -going by.”’ - -The portrait of the Prince de Ligne was already sufficiently advanced -to enable one to judge of the likeness, and I complimented Isabey upon -it. All those who knew the admirable old man were struck with the -marvellously faithful reproduction of him as a whole. - -In a few moments we gaily resumed the course of our little pilgrimage. -The Kalemberg is a hill overlooking Vienna, and offering a most -picturesque birdseye view of the city. The prince had established -his summer quarters there some years ago, dividing his time in the -delicious retreat between art, pleasure, and the delightful society his -fame constantly attracted thither. - -On our way we chatted about the pastimes and diversions of Vienna, and -he gave me a rapid picture of them, for it could be said absolutely of -him what he said of Casanova: ‘Each word is a sketch, and each thought -is a book.’ - -‘Fitly to describe the fairy scenes succeeding each other here without -interruption would want an Ariosto, that magician of poesy,’ he said. -‘In fact, I shall not be surprised at the festal committee shortly -issuing a proclamation, to the sound of trumpets and through all the -towns and villages of the monarchy, promising a prize to the fortunate -man devising a new pleasure for the assembled sovereigns.’ - -‘Thoroughly to enjoy oneself in Vienna, prince, one ought to know -German somewhat better than foreigners as a rule know it,’ I answered. -‘Their want of familiarity with the language prevents them from -catching the subtle shades of the joys and manners of a class of the -population which, though not the foremost, is unquestionably not the -least interesting to study and to observe. In connection with this, I -may be permitted to quote the reply of Bacon to a young man, who, not -knowing any foreign language, consulted him on his plan of travels. “Go -to school, young friend, and don’t go travelling,” remarked Bacon.’ - -‘What would he have said to Metastasio, who, after living for twenty -years in Vienna, had not mastered as many words of German, which -quantity he considered sufficient to save his life in case of need?’ -laughed the prince. ‘Besides, you find your own tongue the only one -adopted here, not only in society and at all the festive gatherings, -but also at all the conferences of the Congress. That much, indeed, -was due to its precision and its universal use. It was necessary to -establish a general means of communication between so many strangers; -without this the Congress would have become a Babel.’ - -‘And also, prince, because no language lends itself more easily to the -biting epigrams and sparkling repartees which are, as it were, like a -bottle of champagne that’s being “uncorked,”’ I replied. ‘The proof -of it is in your recent answer to the Baron de ----, when he told you -that the emperor had made him a general. “He has appointed you to be a -general, he could not make you one,” is a fair sample of the pliability -of French.’ - -Chatting like this about many trifles, which on his lips became -interesting subjects, the prince rapidly reviewed the foremost figures -of society, generals, statesmen, elegant women, etc. - -‘This Congress, with its intrigues of all kinds hidden by fêtes, is -decidedly like Beaumarchais’ _La Folle Journée_. It is an imbroglio -with ever so many Almavivas and Figaros. As for the Basilios, one runs -against them at every turning. I sincerely trust people may not be -compelled to exclaim by and by with the joyous barber: “Whom, after -all, are they leading by the nose?”’ - -We soon got to the courtyard of his modest residence. The house was -small, but comfortable, and the prince might have easily realised the -wish of Socrates by filling it with true friends. It had been built on -the site of a monastery founded in 1628: Leopold rebuilt it after the -siege of Vienna; Joseph I. enlarged it; Joseph II. suppressed it. Since -then, the prince had bought it. On the front door was engraved his -favourite sentence:--_Quò res cumque cadunt, semper stat linea recta_. - -‘I so thoroughly feel the barrenness of everything,’ he often said, -‘that there is no merit in my being neither envious nor spiteful, nor -vainglorious.’ - -He began by taking me into his garden. ‘I should fail in all the -traditions of ownership if I did not start by making you acquainted -with all the details of my principality. Inasmuch as my house with its -enclosure is scarcely more spacious than the domain allotted by the -people to the president of the loftily perched republic of San-Martino, -we’ll go the round of it in less time than an act of mental contrition -would take. Nevertheless, such as it is, the place enables me to escape -from the bustle of fêtes, from the fatigue of pleasure, and from the -crowd of majesties and highnesses. Here, and here alone, I am enabled -to enjoy my own society. I come here to get the fresh air, and to -recruit the strength I spend every evening on the incessant festivities -of the Congress.’ - -At the end of the garden, he opened the door of a pavilion, positively -suspended over the Danube, and from which the whole of Vienna could be -taken in at a glance. - -‘This,’ he said, ‘is the spot whence John Sobieski started at the -head of his brave Poles, and with less than thirty thousand men saved -the empire by routing all the Ottoman forces of the Grand-Vizir -Kara-Mustapha. Sobieski’s faculty of instantly perceiving a situation -was so sure and so thorough that at the sight of the enemy’s -dispositions, he coolly said to the generals surrounding him that those -dispositions were defective, and that infallibly he would beat his -foes. It was impossible to say of him what is commonly said of kings, -namely, that they have won a battle personally, when they have only -looked at it from afar. They may have won the battle personally, but -not by their presence. Sobieski won his battles in person, and by his -presence. - -‘I like the letter he wrote to the queen, his wife, on the day after -the victory, which was dated from the tent of the grand-vizir himself. -There is genuine greatness without the slightest admixture of false -modesty in the following words: “Let Christendom rejoice and give -thanks to the Lord; the infidels can no longer insult us by saying: -‘Where is now your God?’” - -‘Sobieski had one of the greatest gifts ever vouchsafed to a -commander--the faculty of inspiring confidence in his troops. The -Polish cavalry which came to the rescue of Vienna had no doubt a most -martial look; they were mounted on the handsomest horses, and their -arms were magnificent. This was by no means the case with the infantry; -one regiment in particular was in such a sorry plight that Prince -Lubomirski advised their crossing the Danube at night, for the sake -of the nation’s honour. Sobieski simply smiled. “As you see them,” he -said, “they are invincible: they have sworn not to change their clothes -except for those taken from the enemy. In the last war they only wore -the Turkish uniform.” Sobieski’s remark did not, perhaps, provide his -soldiers with clothes; it did better than that: it ran from mouth to -mouth, and the regiment performed deeds of unsurpassed valour. You are -aware that after that brilliant feat of arms which was the signal for -the relief of Vienna, they applied to the Polish hero the words of Pius -V. with regard to Don Juan of Austria, after the battle of Lepanto: -“There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.” What an admirable -quotation!’ wound up the prince. - -‘Austria had no doubt forgotten the application of that sentence of -gratitude when, later on, she effaced from the rank of European nations -the country of her deliverers!’ I remarked. - -‘Go and remind her of it, and see what you’ll get for your pains. -Furthermore, you must expect her to answer in the way of a set-off to -the advocates of Poland: “You take care to remind us of your saving -Vienna in 1683. We are certainly very grateful to you, but each time -you mention it, we are bound to tell you that Austria delivered you -out of the hand of Sweden, which had conquered you in the reign of -Charles-Gustavus; hence, we are quits.”’ - -‘To this, prince, Poland could reply both in virtue of priority of age -and of the number of her services, that the aid she lent to Austria, -notably to her founder, Rudolph of Hapsburg, largely contributed to -place Austria among the most powerful monarchies of Europe. Be that as -it may, in this iniquitous proceeding, Austria plays the part of the -dog in La Fontaine’s fable, who carries his master’s dinner round his -neck: she interfered in order to take her share of the spoil; it would -have been more noble to prevent the spoliation.’ - -By that time it was three o’clock, and we partook, in a small room -adjoining the library, of the provisions which we had brought with us -in the prince’s carriage. It was one of the most delightful collations -I remember. The prince was fond of telling stories; his way of -narrating them was so delightful and admirable that I was only too -pleased to listen. This added to his own enjoyment, and his well-stored -memory poured out tale after tale without the slightest effort. - -‘One of my sweetest recollections,’ he said, ‘was my first journey -to France as the bearer of the happy news of the battle of Maxen. -My entrance upon the scene was entirely to my taste. I was received -everywhere, in Paris, Versailles, and at the Trianon, by the Baron de -Bezenval, the Comte de Vaudreuil, the Comte d’Adhémar, the Princesse de -Lamballe, the fascinating Mme. Jules de Polignac; then at the beginning -I was presented to La Harpe at Mme. du Barry’s, to D’Alembert at Mme. -Geoffrin’s, to Voltaire at Mme. du Deffand’s. Mme. du Deffand was -probably gifted with more natural grace and power of fascination than -any woman of her time.’ - -After this he gave me some brilliant sketches of many of the -celebrities who, during his long career, had honoured him with their -friendship. Empress Catherine, whom he called ‘his living glory’; -Emperor Joseph II., ‘his visible providence’; Frederick the Great, ‘his -claim to immortality,’ and finally Marie-Antoinette, of whom he related -many charming traits, always ‘harking back’ with the greatest delight -to the Court of France, where he had met with such a distinguished -welcome. - -‘The love of pleasure and the attractions of society took me to -Versailles,’ he said; ‘gratitude brought me back to it. My lad, judge -for yourself how far I was justified in yielding to illusion, that -ruler of the world. Presented to the Comte d’Artois, I naturally -began by treating him like the king’s brother, and we finished up -by his treating me as if I were his brother. Later on, I happened -to be present at the meeting of Joseph II. and Frederick II. The -latter notices my liking for great men, and he invites me to Berlin. -My son Charles marries a Polish girl;[57] knowing that I am in the -good books of Catherine, they imagine, perhaps, that I might make a -King of Poland, and they confer the honour of Polish citizenship upon -me. I arrive in Russia, and the grandeur and simplicity of Catherine -win my heart. She selects me to accompany her to the Taurida, during -that journey which seems to belong to fable rather than to history. -In consequence of my taste for the “Iphigenias” of literature, she -gives me the site of the temple where Agamemnon’s daughter officiated -as priestess. Finally there is the paternal kindness of Emperor -Francis I.; the maternal kindness of that grand Maria-Theresa, and -the sometimes fraternal kindness of immortal Joseph II. There are -the confidence and friendship of Landon and of Lasey; the familiar -intercourse with Marie-Antoinette; the cordial intimacy of Catherine -the Great; the goodwill of the great Frederick; my conversations with -Jean-Jacques Rousseau; my stay at Ferney with Voltaire, and, fitly and -gaily to wind up, after the great events of the last twenty years, the -marvels and diversions of the Congress. Such in brief is my life. My -memoirs would be most interesting. During the whole of that time I have -seen calumny, ingratitude, and injustice assail everything I loved and -admired.’ - -He seemed buried in thought for a few moments. ‘No,’ he said at -last, ‘men’s idiocy and ill-nature respect nothing. In Catherine’s -case these two have endeavoured to sully the grandeur one admires; -in Marie-Antoinette the grace and beauty one worships. France has -a few pages in her annals which one day she will wish to tear up. -After having most grossly slandered the most beautiful and the most -sympathetic of queens, whose goodness of heart, which was that of an -angel, no one could appreciate better than I, and whose soul without -reproach was as pure and as white as her face, the cannibals immolated -her as an offering to their bloodthirsty liberty.’ - -At these words his voice grew low, and his eyes filled with tears. The -tears of such a friend, of an old man and a wise one, were the most -eloquent tribute to Marie-Antoinette’s memory. - -‘This is my study,’ he said, opening another door, ‘and here I am free -from the intrusion of all those parrots who besiege me in my little -house on the wall. Here I let my pen wander as my imagination and whim -prompt me.’ He showed me a great many works completed, and a number of -unfinished manuscripts. - -‘All this has been written for myself, to satisfy the cravings of my -own heart. They are what actors would call “my asides.”’ - -I asked him if the world at large was not to benefit by his lessons of -experience. - -‘No, no,’ he replied, ‘I have too often had proof that here below a -man’s reputation depends upon those who have none. And what, when all -is said and done, is this glory before which one bows down, and which -one pursues with all one’s might? The same day witnesses its birth -and its death, so short, after all, is life. Ypsilanti, about whom we -have chatted so often, has gloriously lost his arm. When at present he -makes his appearance in a drawing-room, he is surrounded, he is pointed -out to public curiosity, and people tell of the battle in which he -distinguished himself. To-day he is a young hero; before many springs -pass over our heads, and they pass very quickly, people will call him -the old cripple. - -‘Never had a woman a more glorious welcome than that accorded to Mme. -de Staël in Vienna six years ago. Her arrival and her stay constituted, -as it were, a date, for people still say--“When Mme. de Staël was -here.” Well, the enthusiasm was soon succeeded by a spirit of criticism -the reverse of good-natured. Nevertheless, if there be anything in this -world which is _not_ all vanity, assuredly it is the admiration one -inspires; but how long does that admiration last? At the outset Mme. de -Staël carried all hearts, and conquered all minds.’ - -‘Not in virtue of her personal attractions, for even in her portraits -she did not seem to me sufficiently good-looking to please.’ - -‘That’s true, she could never have possessed a pleasing face; her mouth -and nose were ugly. But her magnificent eyes marvellously expressed -everything that went on successively in that brain so rich in lofty or -virile thoughts; her hands were beautifully shaped, hence the care she -took to direct attention to them by her habit of constantly fingering -a branch of poplar provided with a few leaves, the shaking of which, -according to herself, was the necessary accompaniment to her words. Her -conversation was simply dazzling; she discussed every subject with a -marvellous facility; she expressed herself in an animated, brilliant -and poetical manner. The larger her audience, the loftier did her -genius soar. She was only at her ease with men capable of judging her, -but on such occasions she was truly great. - -‘Well, all those titles to admiration were soon made light of. The -human mind, by an inevitable reaction, passes from enthusiasm to -carping. In a short time people laid stress on Mme. de Staël’s defects; -her brilliant qualities were no longer taken into account. In general -conversation, it was said, she showed herself more anxious to dazzle -than to please; her monologues reduced her interlocutors to the roles -of complacent listeners; when she addressed a question to some one, she -rarely waited for the answer. She was fond of society in which she was -calculated to shine, but she did not care for the society of women, -which, as a rule, affords fewer resources to an intellect like hers -than that of men. And the women have not forgiven her, however much her -genius may have conferred honour on her own sex. - -‘Hence, she gradually saw a diminution of her celebrity, a celebrity -which had become necessary to her, and which, nevertheless, was not -to her the road to happiness. She constantly regretted France, from -which she was irrevocably exiled, in consequence of her opposition -to the government; she had designated Bonaparte as Robespierre on -horseback. It may therefore be said that she served her own cause when -endeavouring to overtopple the obstacle to her return to Paris; and -on the task she set herself, she brought to bear all the energy of a -genius, stimulated by the hatred of a woman. - -‘I have much admired Mme. de Staël; I still admire her, and I strongly -suspect that the author of the _Dialogue sur l’enthousiasme_ wanted -to paint me in the character of Cleon.’ The prince, when uttering -those last words, glanced at me smiling. ‘She felt much vexed at some -one daring to question merit which at that time everybody agreed in -pronouncing incontestable. That little bit of criticism was the first. -The author particularly censures her novel _Corinne_. In that respect -he was wrong. Wishing to attack her, he had no business to attack her -writings. That, assuredly, was not her vulnerable side. But he would -have been justified in blaming the pretension to refer everything to -herself, the inconstancy of opinion which was so dangerous to her -friends who took her at her word, the pedagogic and biting tone, -the histrionic elation, in the manner of Corinne, her neologism in -intellectual matters, which was so utterly antipathetic to me, and the -craving to appear on the boards, where she displayed not the slightest -talent, inasmuch as her true vocation lay in acting in real life. On -all those points he would have been justified in venting his spite -either in prose or in verse. You are aware that we were within an ace -of falling out for ever in consequence of a spiteful remark which was -told to her as coming from me. After the performance of her tragedy, -_Agar dans le Désert_, in which, to be frank, she seemed more ugly -than usual, some one, who was not the Prince de Ligne, is reported to -have said that the proper title of the piece ought to have been _La -Justification d’Abraham_. She sulked for a long time, and I had much -difficulty in convincing her of my innocence.’ - -After that the prince showed me a small manuscript, which has been -published since, and which he had then just finished. Its subject -was the Venetian Casanova. When that famous adventurer was tired -of hawking about Europe his projects, his magic secrets, and his -striking personality; when, in fact, he felt old age creeping over -him and poverty staring him in the face, he applied to the Prince de -Ligne. Almost as a matter of course, the latter made him welcome, -bestirred himself on his behalf, and got him the post of librarian to -his nephew, the Prince de Wallstein. Casanova’s curiously chequered -career appealed to the imagination of the old marshal. He also had -had many adventures during his existence. He liked the ready and -biting wit of the Venetian, his profound and varied learning, and his -philosophically-turned and ever fresh comments. - -‘Yes,’ said the prince, ‘Casanova was the most diverting individual -I have ever met with. It was he who said that a woman is never older -than her lover fancies her to be. His inexhaustible recollections, -his imagination, which was as vivid as it had been at twenty, his -enthusiasm with regard to myself, won my heart. He often read his -memoirs to me. They partake of the nature of those of a knight-errant -and of the “Wandering Jew”; unfortunately they’ll never see the -light.’[58] - -His writing-table was littered with verses, the greater part unfinished. - -‘You are looking at those sketches,’ he said. ‘It is because I am -unable to work like the majority of poets. There are two dictionaries -at their disposal, the dictionary of the heart and the rhyming -dictionary. When there is no longer anything in the first, or when they -can no longer read it, they open the second. When my heart no longer -dictates, I leave off writing.’ - -We spent a little more time in examining several charming portraits of -women with whom he had been in love, and a rich collection of letters -written by the sovereigns and the most illustrious personages of Europe -during half a century. - -The hour for returning struck, and we left the delightful retreat -which, one day, will become historical. But amidst those brilliant -reminiscences of the Vienna Congress, my grateful memory could not omit -that day wholly passed in familiar conversation with the Prince de -Ligne. - - - - -CHAPTER VII - - A Court Function--The Empress of Austria--The Troubadours-- - Amateur Theatricals--The Empress of Russia--The Prince - Leopold of Saxe-Cobourg--Tableaux-Vivants--Queen Hortense’s - Songs--The Moustaches of the Comte de Wurbna--Songs in - Action--The Orphan of the Prisons--Diplomacy and Dancing-- - A Ball and a Supper at Court. - - -The fêtes succeeded each other uninterruptedly; the time not given -to pleasure was looked upon as wasted. Every week there was a grand -reception and ball at the Court. Taking their cue from highest -quarters, the foremost members of Austrian society also had their -appointed days for welcoming in their drawing-rooms the numberless -strangers whom business or pleasure had brought to Vienna. On Mondays -the Princesse de Metternich threw open her house; on Thursdays the -Master of the Horse, the Prince de Trauttmansdorff, did the same, and -on Saturdays, the beautiful Comtesse Zichy followed suit. As a return -for this gracious hospitality, the ambassadors and representatives of -the great Powers on their side gave most brilliant entertainments. In -virtue of this constant exchange of magnificent functions, the days -went by without counting, and everybody appeared to have adopted the -maxim--the first necessity of mankind is to be happy. - -The Empress of Austria was practically the soul of that succession of -balls, banquets, receptions and masques. Born in Italy, and sprung from -that illustrious House of Este, sung by Ariosto and by Tasso, she had, -as it were, inherited from her ancestors the taste and the instinctive -feeling for everything pertaining to art. Her goodness of heart was -beyond compare, her youthful and fresh imagination took a delight in -the arrangement of all those joyous details. She was admirably seconded -by two French artists, M. Isabey and M. Moreau--the latter a most -talented architect--who were her usual auxiliaries. She invented and -ordained; their task consisted in faithfully reproducing and carrying -out her bright ideas. - -One of her favourite pleasures was the giving of theatrical -performances in her apartments. Defying the difficulties attached -to the rôle of _impresario_, she had succeeded in recruiting and -composing a company of amateur actors. Some among these would have -done credit to any stage, no matter where. In this company figured the -most aristocratic names: the Comtes Ojarowski, Stanislas Potocki, de -Wallstein, Woyna, Mmes. Edmond de Périgord and Flora Wurbna, shone in -comedy; opera had its interpreters in the Prince Antoine Radziwill, the -Marquis de Salvox, the Comtes Petersen de Bombelles,[59] the Comtesses -d’Apponyi, Charles Zichy, de Woyna, and the Princesse Yblonowska; -while German tragedy fell to the lot of the Comtesse Julie Zichy, the -Comtesse Esterhazy and the Comte Zichy. Our theatrical literature, -so rich in all genius, was especially laid under contribution; often -there was a mixed performance of German and French pieces. At one of -those performances, Schiller’s _Wallenstein_ and the charming comedy of -_Rivaux d’eux-mêmes_ were played with really remarkable casts. - -Some young men, as a relief from the arid labours of diplomacy, -which at that period, it was said, constituted by no means a lively -pursuit, had organised among themselves an artistic gathering, which -was called the ‘company of Troubadours.’ Foremost among these were -the Prince Radziwill, the Comtes Batthyani, Zichy, and the Prince -Leopold de Saxe-Cobourg. It was a graceful revival of the chivalrous -and poetic customs of the Middle Ages. There was, furthermore, the -‘Festal Committee,’ appointed by the emperor, and composed of the -foremost personages of the Court. It really did appear as if the whole -of society was wrapped round by a vast association, the bright network -of which spread everywhere, and which had but one aim--the pursuit of -pleasure. - -The entertainment offered by the Court on that particular evening was -of an entirely novel kind as far as the majority of the spectators -were concerned. It consisted of the representation of pictures and of -songs put into action by living personages. The Prince de Ligne and -I went early to the Imperial Palace. Though the performance had not -commenced, the rooms were full. Thanks to the Comte Arthur Potocki, -we were enabled to get to the seats he had reserved for us between -the Princesse Marie Esterhazy and the Prince Leopold de Saxe-Cobourg. -It was the first time I met this young man in society; he was known -to the Prince de Ligne, who soon made us acquainted with each other. -At that time, he seemed to me as timid as he was handsome. Never did -noble birth and blood show themselves more conspicuously than in the -distinguished air and easy bearing of this scion of an illustrious -house. At that period he was doubtlessly far from foreseeing the -fortunate position destiny had in store for him, by uniting him at -first to a great princess, by placing him afterwards on the throne -of regenerated Belgium, and finally by giving him as consort an -accomplished princess from the blood royal of France. To-day the future -happiness of two families, of perhaps two peoples, is centred in -him.[60] - -After having exchanged a few courteous words, Prince Leopold left us -to prepare for his part in one of the tableaux; we remained with the -Princesse Esterhazy. - -The illustrious and princely House of Esterhazy has so often been -described as to render the task of adding anything fresh to those -descriptions a difficult one. Everybody knows that its noble origin -is virtually lost in the mist of ages, and that its power equals that -of kings. Its magnificence, its wealth, and the splendour of its -establishment are such as to convey but a faint idea to those who have -not seen them, and those who have are tempted to consider them as so -many parts of a fairy dream induced by the reading of some fabulous -story. Its territorial possessions comprise more than a hundred -villages and burghs, something like forty townships and over thirty -castles and fortresses.[61] The country seats which constitute, as -it were, the capitals of those veritable states comprise an enormous -number of apartments, picture-galleries and theatres. The Hungarian -hussar’s dress, entirely embroidered with pearls, which is transmitted -in the family from father to son, is estimated at four millions of -florins, and costs twelve thousand florins to repair each time it is -worn. On those vast domains the Esterhazys exercise the power of life -and death; they have troops and guards in their own pay. Moreover, an -imperial decree, dating from 1687, conferred upon them the right to -mint their own money and to grant patents of nobility. Many sovereigns -would be tempted to exchange their crowns for the lot of such subjects. - -The Princesse Marie Esterhazy, _née_ Princesse de Lichtenstein, though -at that period no longer in the flush of youth, was still possessed of -a charming grace. She was above all endowed with that winning kindness -which imparts a charm to women who physically are least attractive. Her -equable temperament and her fascinating kindness induced me to seek -her society on all possible occasions. Some years before I had met her -husband, the Prince Nicolas,[62] in Paris, at Mme. Récamier’s, that -friend of my childhood, the most beautiful of women and the most worthy -of admiration and respect. An enthusiastic and enlightened amateur of -every branch of art, and above all of music, the prince was the Mæcenas -of literary men and artists. He treated them as a connoisseur and -rewarded them like a king. - -I was very fond of the society of Prince Paul, their son, whose senior -I was by a few years. Our tastes and habits were pretty well the same. -I often met him at the house of Mme. de Fuchs, who was the friend of -both. Since then called in virtue of his name and his solid attainments -to most important diplomatic positions. Prince Paul[63] has shown a -constant moderation and a rectitude of thought and judgment which only -belong to a noble disposition and a superior intellect. He is one of -the men who during the recent negotiations have contributed most to the -preservation of peace in Europe. - -Our conversation with the Princesse Marie turned on the kind of -amusement the Court of Austria was providing for us that evening. She -told us that she had often organised similar tableaux at Eisenstadt -in a rotunda constructed for the purpose in the midst of a lake, -and that during the performances Haydn, the director of her private -band, improvised on the organ some pieces in keeping with the optical -effects, and which added marvellously to the illusion. - -The sovereigns gradually made their appearance and took the seats -reserved for them, the Emperor of Russia being as usual by the side -of the Empress of Austria. By a curious freak of nature, both were -somewhat hard of hearing, the emperor on one side, the empress on -the opposite side. Etiquette required their being seated side by side -in such a manner as not to be able to hear each other; consequently, -they always seemed to be playing at ‘cross purposes.’ Alexander at -that period was remarkable for the beauty of his face and the elegance -of his figure; and he was by no means indifferent to the flattering -remarks addressed to him on the subject. On the other hand, it would -have argued an inexperience of Courts to betray either by word or sign -the knowledge of his auricular infirmity. - -By the Emperor of Austria’s side sat the Empress Elizabeth of Russia. -That angel on earth had everything calculated to insure her husband’s -happiness and hers.[64] She was endowed with a charming face, her eyes -reflecting the purity of her soul. She had magnificent auburn hair, -which, as a rule, was allowed to fall loose on her shoulders. Her -figure was elegant, lithe, and supple, and even when she wore a mask, -her walk revealed her identity in a moment. No woman realised more -thoroughly the line of Virgil: - - ‘Incessu patuit Dea....’ - -To a most delightful disposition there were added a cultivated and -quick intellect, a passionate love of art, and a boundless liberality -in money matters. The graceful elegance of her person, her noble -bearing, and her inexhaustible kindness won her all hearts. Neglected -almost from the first hour of her union by a husband whom she -worshipped, her solitude and grief had bred a kind of melancholy. -Stamped on every feature, that feeling lent to the accents of her voice -and to her slightest movements an irresistible charm. - -[Illustration: ALEXANDER I.] - -A symphony for horns and harps preceded the rise of the curtain. -The candles in the house were extinguished in order to give greater -brilliancy to the light thrown on to the stage. The first picture -was the reproduction of a subject painted by a young Viennese -artist, ‘Louis XIV. kneeling at Mme. de la Vallière’s feet.’ The -actors of that scene were the young Comte de Trauttmansdorff, son of -the grand-marshal, and the charming Comtesse de Zichy. Both were so -eminently attractive, there was such an ardent expression of love on -the face of the young noble, and so much modesty, fear, and innocence -on the delicious face of the comtesse, as to make the illusion complete. - -The second picture was a reproduction of Guérin’s beautiful -composition, ‘Hippolytus refuting Phedra’s accusation before Theseus.’ -The Princesse Yblonowska represented the daughter of Minos, and the -young Comte Woyna, Hippolytus. The eyes and features of the one -were stamped with ardent passion struggling against remorse, while -the other, by his calm and classical attitude, by the signs of his -respectful grief, only seemed to invoke for his defence the purity -of his heart. Though shorn of the charm of its magnificent poetry, -Racine’s conception had never more eloquent interpreters than these two. - -The subjects of these pictures, reproduced by the most distinguished -personages of the Court, the brilliant and accurate dresses, the -perfectly arranged light, the whole of the _ensemble_ so artistically -arranged, produced the most lively admiration on the part of the -spectators. - -After this, the stage was got ready for the songs to be enacted; an -orchestra, composed of the most celebrated instrumentalists of Germany, -played symphonies by Haydn and Mozart. - -The first song was the ‘Partant pour la Syrie,’ the charming music -of which, by Queen Hortense, has become popular throughout Europe. -Mlle. Goubault, a young Belgian, who to an agreeable face added a -charming and expressive voice, sang the words, while the Princesse -de Hesse-Philipstadt and the young Comte de Schönfeldt represented -the characters. At the verse of the marriage, a chorus of the most -beautiful personages of the Court grouped themselves around the -principal actors. This profusion of delicious faces, the perfect -unison of the voices, and the expressive pantomimic action of the two -lovers--in short, the whole tableau, was enthusiastically applauded. - -I was too far away from Emperor Alexander to hear what he said -to Prince Eugène, who was seated close to him by the side of his -father-in-law, the King of Bavaria. I could, however, easily perceive -by the face of Eugène, beaming with pleasure and gratitude, that -the praise bestowed by the emperor on the musical composition was -accompanied by flattering and kindly expressions concerning his sister. - -The second song was that of Coupigny, a ‘Young Troubadour singing and -making war.’ It was represented by the Comte de Schönborn and the -Comtesse Marassi. The third song was again one of Queen Hortense’s, -‘Do what you ought, let come what may.’ It was as well sung as ably -mimed by the handsome Comtesse Zamoyska, a daughter of Marshal -Czartoryski, and by the young Prince Radziwill. Like the first, it was -enthusiastically listened to and greatly praised. The author’s name -was on the lips of every one, and vociferous applause frequently broke -forth. - -‘This is a sceptre which will not be broken in the hands of Mlle. -de Beauharnais,’ said the Prince de Ligne. ‘She is still a queen in -virtue of her talent and her charm when she has ceased to be one by the -grace of God. I confess to a liking for women who are fond of music, -and above all for those who compose music, as she does. Music is a -universal language, harmoniously recounting to all of us the sensations -of our lives. Only the malicious and spiteful could have said evil of -the sometime Queen of Holland, and only imbeciles could have attached -any belief to what they said. As for me, I am always glad to applaud -and to give homage to fallen greatness, especially if the fallen ones -have done honour to the rank in which fate placed them.’ - -‘I cordially agree with you, prince,’ I said. ‘I often had the -opportunity of seeing Queen Hortense at the beginning of her grandeur. -During the rapid advances of her fortunes she did not change, and -amidst all the imperial pomp and splendour she remained natural and -unaffected. She seems to have been born with an instinctive feeling -for art and with the germs of talent; she sings and plays on several -instruments the charming music of her own composition. She draws with -rare perfection. More precious than all this, though, is her sprightly -kindness, which her mother appears to have transmitted to her. Both, -while attaining the highest positions it is given to mortals to reach, -lost none of the qualities which compel affection in the most obscure -conditions.’ - -‘I am pleased to hear you speak like that. I am of opinion that the -most admirable quality of mankind is the faculty for admiring. I detest -people who are always looking for the interest underlying a good -action. Bear this in mind: only grovelling natures seek to disparage -talent; and fools only applaud the envious.’ - -The curtain had been lowered to set the final picture which was to -conclude the whole of the spectacle in a most brilliant manner. It was -to represent Olympus with all the mythological divinities. Nothing had -been neglected to make the execution worthy of the grandeur of the -subject. There had, nevertheless, been a temporary apprehension with -regard to the smooth progress of its course. There had been for two -whole days negotiations far more difficult and delicate in their nature -than those usually pending between diplomatic celebrities; and it -wanted nothing less than an intervention from high quarters to settle a -question which the sapient assembly would probably have failed to bring -to a satisfactory conclusion. - -The facts were as follows: All the rôles of the tenants on Olympus had -been distributed. Prince Leopold de Saxe-Cobourg, in consequence of his -remarkably handsome presence, had been cast for the part of Jupiter. -Comte Zichy was to represent Mars. - -The company was, however, short of Apollo; and among the troubadours -the young Comte de Wurbna was the only one who could efficiently -fill the part. It had been offered to him and accepted. But the -Comte, who combined in every respect the requisite qualities for the -brilliant impersonation allotted to him, had unfortunately something -not contemplated in the programme. His upper lip was ornamented by a -delightful pair of moustachios, and he valued them as one values things -that do not detract from one’s appearance. It was very certain, though, -that whether taken in connection with his luminous chariot or in the -simple guise of a shepherd, no one could conceive the god of day with -this hirsute ornament of a captain of hussars. - -The stage manager entrusted with the carrying out of the tableau -bore the name of Omer, which lent itself marvellously to all kind of -witticisms. Omer, then, was deputed to enter into negotiations with the -young Comte and to induce him to part with the inconvenient ornament. -In spite of his poetical name (irrespective of its orthography), Omer -found but an indifferent listener in the young man. In vain did he -cajole, argue, and supplicate. In vain did he point out to the young -man the impossibility of representing the tableau. His words did not -produce the slightest effect. Inexorable, like Achilles sulking in his -tent, young Wurbna seemed to have taken an oath not to part with his -moustachios while alive. - -The rumour of this curious obstinacy spread with the rapidity of bad -tidings; there is great agitation and anxiety, people are inquiring of -each other the latest particulars of the affair, every other pleasure -is forgotten; the Congress, too, would have been forgotten if any one -had thought it worth while to remember that there was a Congress. -Those moustachios have become the subject of every conversation and of -universal concern. - -Finally, in view of the gravity of the circumstances, recourse is -being had to a supreme appeal: the empress is informed of the affair. -Entering frankly into the plot, the charming princess, on the very -evening, so effectively cajoled the young recalcitrant Comte that, -vanquished, or rather won over, he absented himself for a moment, to -reappear with a clean and smooth upper lip like that of a young girl. -Thus fell, at a single word from Louis XIV., the woods interrupting the -view from the seat of Petit-Bourg. Truly, sovereigns, and especially -female sovereigns, have for the purpose of upraising or cutting down -magic and powerful words, denied to other mortals. - -The sacrifice was consummated, and we knew that, thanks to the happy -conclusion of that negotiation, Omer had been enabled to carry out to -the best of purposes his Olympian production. At last the curtain rose, -and the assembly of the gods met the eager gaze of the spectators. The -queen of the gods was represented by the daughter of Admiral Sir Sidney -Smith, Venus by Mme. de Wilhem, a lady of honour to the Princesse de la -Tour et Taxis, and Minerva by the lovely Comtesse Rosalie Rzewuska. The -eyes of the spectators, delighted at first by the matchless beauty of -the picture, finally contemplate nobody but Apollo, standing forth in -all his glory, and well rewarded for his obedience by sweet and august -smiles. - -During the representation of that tableau, a young Frenchman, the Baron -Thierry, attached to the Portuguese Legation, played a solo on the -harp. The young fellow, who was brought up in England, whither he had -accompanied his parents at the time of the emigration, had assiduously -practised that instrument, and attained a degree of perfection on -it which at that period was very rare. He was well built, with an -interesting face, and one of the most admired of strangers in Viennese -society. His solo, played with all the perfection his instrument would -permit, produced the greatest effect, and was cordially applauded, -the signal for the applause coming from the royalties themselves. Even -Olympus itself appeared to be moved by it. Finally the curtain fell -amidst unanimous signs of approval; the sovereigns rose, and we passed -into an adjoining hall sumptuously arranged for the ball. - -‘You probably do not know the story of the beautiful Comtesse Rzewuska, -whom you have just admired in the character of Minerva. She is the -daughter of the Princesse Rosalie Lubomirska, who was guillotined -during the Terror. The child, after the death of her mother, on the -12th Messidor of the Year II. (30th June 1794), was taken home and -brought up by a laundress, and by the merest accident discovered by her -uncle, the Comte Chodkïewicz, who had been in search of her for many -years, and finally taken back to Poland. It is the most startling drama -in real life.’[65] - -Meanwhile dancing had commenced, and I went to offer my arm to the -Princesse Esterhazy, whom I had the honour to escort during part of -the evening. She conversed about art with the greatest facility, her -remarks being emphasised by eminently just quotations altogether exempt -from the slightest pedantry. Her comments on society were marked by a -similar justness of observation, none the less just for being tempered -by great forbearance. Her beautiful features bore the unmistakable -signs of her being an irreproachable wife, a most affectionate -mother, and a most devoted and sincere friend. As a consequence, -her conversation seemed to me infinitely preferable to the somewhat -boisterous amusements of that evening. - -All those who had taken part in the tableaux and in the illustrations -of the songs had retained their costumes. There was a considerable -number of them. They organised quadrilles which lent a new attraction -to that fête, namely, that of variety. It seemed as if grace, that -divine part of beauty, had been equally divided, though under different -forms, among the dwellers in every climate. Never was this fact more -pertinently felt than at those fêtes of the Congress, at which the most -remarkable women of the various countries of Europe shone with equal, -though distinct, splendour. - -We, the Prince de Ligne and I, wandered through those drawing-rooms, -ablaze with light, passing in review those delicious faces, -representing all kinds of beauty as they successively went by. The -Princesse Marie de Metternich and the Comtesse Batthyani, with wistful -and somewhat melancholy features, tall, slight, and flexible like -reeds; the two charming sisters Eléonore and Pauline de Schwartzenberg, -beaming with youth and freshness; the Princesse Yblonowska, the -Comtesses Sophie de Woyna and Louise de Durkeim, both distinguished by -their slightly dreamy looks; the Comtesse Julie Zichy, captivatingly -graceful; the Comtesses de Marassi, d’Urgate, de Schönborn, and the -Princesse Hélène Souvaroff, whose portrait I have already sketched; -and the Comtesse de Paar. In short, we feasted our eyes on delightful -faces, lighted up every now and again by rapid smiles, or positively -basking in the full light of careless joy and happiness--faces that -soothed the mind and captivated all glances. - -Emperor Alexander had opened the ball with the Empress of Austria -with a ‘polonaise,’ a kind of dancing march, the regular preamble -to every Court ball. In an adjoining room some members of the corps -diplomatique were gravely engaged at whist, a recreation which also -seemed an indispensable part of the European transactions in progress. -The ‘polonaise,’ though, soon interfered with the silence necessary -to the game. The band had given the signal and, too cramped in the -principal room, the long file of dancers marched along under the -guidance of the czar, invaded the whole of the palace, and twined round -and round the serious quartets of the players, and by an enormously -round-about way returned to its starting-point in perfect order, never -ceasing the course of its graceful evolutions. Towards the end of the -evening, the guests formed themselves here and there into groups. Some -young men arranged pleasure parties for the next morning, while the -representatives of Europe gravely discussed the burning questions of -the moment. - -In one part of the room, M. de Talleyrand, ensconced in an armchair, -is talking to the Prince Leopold of Naples, while M. de Labrador, -the Chevalier de Los Rios and the Cardinal Gonzalvi, the Marquis de -Marialva, the young Comte de Luchesini and Charles de Rechberg, in a -circle, are standing around. The conversation runs on King Murat. With -his habitual phlegm, M. de Talleyrand drops some of those grave and -prophetic sentences which, rightly interpreted, might be considered the -forerunner of that improvised sovereign’s fall.[66] - -M. de la Tour du Pin, the ambassador of France, was the centre of -another group, composed of his colleague, M. Alexis de Noailles, MM. de -Wintzingerode, Pozzo di Borgo, the Marquis de Saint Marsan, the Comte -de Rossi, etc. - -Lord Castlereagh, erect and leaning against a mantelpiece, seems to -listen with a glacial air to the King of ----. The crowd has retired to -a respectful distance. His majesty, on the other hand, appears to speak -with a certain warmth, although his attitude is that of a petitioner, -or rather a pleader, intent upon convincing his judge. One can catch -the words, ‘Poland--indemnity--Treaty of Kalitsch.’ His lordship -vouchsafes only few words in reply to his august interlocutor. Looking -at them, one is reminded that if the Coalition has had the victory, it -was England who paid the soldiers. - -Lord Stewart wanders listlessly from one room to another. He is simply -anxious to be seen, and they have bestowed on him the sobriquet of ‘the -golden peacock.’ - -At midnight a magnificent supper was served. Of course, the sovereigns -occupied the table set apart for them, but the other guests seated -themselves wherever they liked, without the slightest ceremony or -considerations of etiquette. The gaiety of that collation, absolutely -free from restraint, afforded greater facilities for confidential -and familiar talk. All those banquets were alike. Always the same -display of apparently inexhaustible wealth and the same magnificence; -consequently, although the Congress was but a few days old, people had -ceased to estimate the expenses of the Court. - -To make up for that, they freely spoke of the number of strangers who, -either on business or pleasure, were located in Vienna. We know the -means by which Colbert filled the empty coffers of his master. But -what, after all, were the _carrousels_ of Louis XIV. compared to this -magnificent series of fêtes? - -The hour for retiring struck at last, and people went home to recruit -their strength for the next day by much-needed sleep. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII - - Prince Eugène de Beauharnais--Recollections of the Prince - de Ligne--The Theatre of the ‘Ermitage’ and of Trianon - --The Baron Ompteda--some Portraits--The Imperial - _Carrousel_--The Four-and-twenty Paladins--Reminiscences of - Mediæval Tournaments--The Prowess of the Champion--Fête and - Supper at the Imperial Palace--The Table of the Sovereigns. - - -One morning, a few days after the last-described event, I called upon -Prince Eugène de Beauharnais. Our acquaintance dated from my youth, -and whenever circumstances brought us together either in Paris, Milan, -or Vienna, I, like all his other friends, had ever found him kind, -helpful and sympathetic. The bonds of sympathy so quickly contracted in -youth had never been severed by the difference in rank. It had not been -his fault that his rule in Italy had been fruitless to me as far as a -brilliant administrative career went. And these proofs of his affection -had made me deeply grateful to him. - -On the occasion of my visit he was slightly ill, and it did not take me -long to discover that the cause of his indisposition was mental rather -than physical. It was not surprising, considering the misfortunes that -had accumulated around him. There were the disasters of France, the -fall of Napoleon, the loss of a brilliant position, and, to fill his -cup of grief, the death of his mother, whom he worshipped. - -His position at Vienna was constrained and more or less false. His -reception there had been the subject of diplomatic discussions; but -for the persistence of his father-in-law, the King of Bavaria, and the -affection of Emperor Alexander, he would probably have been excluded. -In spite of this, the fact of his being the adopted son of Napoleon -could not be forgotten. It was, moreover, well known that his noble -character would never belie itself, and that he would bring all his -influence to bear in favour of the man who had been his benefactor. -Between the Powers celebrating France’s reverses with fêtes and the -representatives of the government of the Bourbons, he seemed isolated -amidst that crowd and in that whirlpool of pleasure. - -He welcomed me in his cordial and amicable way. Glad to find somebody -with whom he could talk about his recollections, he referred to his -past, which was so brilliant and glorious. His attitude and the -expression of his face were stamped with a melancholy that could -not fail to win one’s heart. We went over the various phases of his -military career, when all at once he became most animated. Yielding -to a strong emotion, he carried me with him to Egypt, and began -to describe the loss of his first friend, killed by his side by a -cannon ball at the battle of the Pyramids. At the last words of that -mournful story I noticed his eyes filling with tears, which he vainly -endeavoured to repress. In order to divert his thoughts to brighter -subjects, I spoke to him of our first meeting at a luncheon given -by Mme. Récamier during the short-lived Peace of Amiens, a luncheon -graced by the presence of all the celebrities of France and England. -As a matter of course, our conversation drifted to all the gay doings -of Vienna during the last few weeks, and also of those to come. I -soon noticed, though, that all those functions, so intoxicating to -the majority of both actors and spectators, constantly reminded him -of the sad cause nearest to his heart. I was not sorry, then, when we -were interrupted by the servant announcing the Emperor of Russia, who, -according to his custom, came to take him, without any ceremony, for -a walk in the Prater. I took my leave of him, after he had made me -promise to come and see him often. I need not say that I gladly acceded -to his request, and that the duty really became a pleasure. - -On leaving him, I went to pay my daily visit to the Prince de Ligne. -I delighted in giving him an account of my previous day’s doings. -Although at that happy period my occupations mainly consisted of a life -spent away from my own quarters and in consorting with my young friends -in the pursuit of pleasure, it was like a lullaby to me to go to him to -gather from his lips some of his witty and subtle sallies, and to study -in a familiar way a small section of that living panorama. - -The little house was as full as it could hold, and the amiable -host was, as usual, dispensing large doses of wit and wisdom to -his visitors. His never-failing spirits and the brightness of his -recollections reminded his listeners that though the body might be -tottering, he prevented it from collapsing. No one conveyed a more -accurate idea of the sparkle and the almost indefinable grace of the -French intellectual qualities of former days. Hearing the Prince de -Ligne talk, I always fancied I was going back a century in the history -of French society. - -The prince’s visitors were repeating to him some of the rumours with -which the amateur politicians of the Graben kept public curiosity -alive. After having distributed crowns and allotted states, the -quidnuncs and newsmongers had taken it into their heads to try their -hand at match-making. According to them, the King of Prussia was -reported one day to be betrothed to the Grand-Duchess of Oldenburg, the -next to one of the Austrian arch-duchesses. - -‘Those gentlemen strangely put our credulity to the test,’ remarked -the Comte de Witt. ‘Nothing less will satisfy them than the divorce of -Marie-Louise, so that she may be joined in matrimony to his Majesty of -Prussia.’ - -‘Mirabeau was in the habit of saying that there is no piece of idiocy, -however crude, that may not find acceptance on the part of a clever -man, provided one gets his valet to repeat it to him every day for a -month,’ laughed the prince. ‘I am afraid, though, that the Viennese -journalists credit us with a somewhat too robust faith. I am not at all -certain how “Robinson” on his island of Elba would appreciate the joke?’ - -The conversation drifted to the theatrical performances the Empress of -Austria was offering at the Imperial Palace. - -‘No stage can dispute the palm with yours,’ said the prince, turning -to me. ‘I have seen your pieces played everywhere. In Prussia before -the great Frederick they only performed the masterpieces of the French -stage; in Russia at the “Ermitage” theatre [the palace and museum of -the Hermitage at St. Petersburg] I have seen _Le Philosophe Marié_ and -_Annette et Lubin_ performed before Empress Catherine, whom nature -had eminently fitted to appreciate grace and subtlety as well as -grandeur and brilliancy. I well remember the select company of that -most brilliant Court when Ségur’s _Crispin Duègne_ was produced, and -Cobentzel gave his admirable interpretation. Then there was my own -play, _L’Amant Ridicule_, whose author, I am afraid, was, perhaps, more -ridiculous than the lover. The most amusing part of the entertainment, -however, was enacted in the house itself with its throng of cranks, -faddists, and eccentric characters, each of whom had supplied me with -a kind of model, and who, as everywhere, applauded like mad without -recognising themselves. Most vivid to my mind is the theatre at Ferney, -where Voltaire himself played before us the most comic scenes from -Molière, and was convulsed with laughter, which rather spoilt the -effect he aimed at. Then came Trianon, “Trianon with an angelic queen -playing royally badly before a crowd of courtiers intoxicated with her -beauty.”’ - -After that, with his essentially eighteenth century grace, he recounted -to us some of the conversations of Versailles, redolent of wit and -cleverness. - -‘These are admirable recollections, prince,’ said the Comte de Witt. - -‘Yes,’ was the reply, ‘I have opened my eyes and ears a great deal, and -I have an excellent memory. My stories are only reproductions.’ - -That day was spent delightfully among friends. In the evening I went -to admire the expressive pantomime of Bigottini in _Nina_, and I wound -up by going to the Comtesse de Fuchs’s. Her drawing-room was crowded -as usual; fortunately I managed to find a seat near the Baron Ompteda. -With the serious face of an ancient augur, Ompteda was one of the most -originally clever men I have ever met. No one could sketch a portrait -in a few words better than he. People dreaded his tongue as much as his -sketches. But a staunch friend withal, whose epigrams were due to a -twist of the intellect rather than to a deficiency of heart. - -While the crowd was buzzing around us on every side, Ompteda took to -reviewing some of our acquaintances that were there and also those who -entered subsequently. - -‘Since you were last in Vienna,’ he said, ‘the capital has suffered a -siege and a foreign occupation; nevertheless, you’ll find few changes. -Matters lending themselves to ridicule are as plentiful as ever; they -are practically the image of the immobility of the Austrian government. -Only, they are becoming more apparent, in consequence of the century’s -progress. - -‘The drawing-rooms of society are just as you left them. The one in -which we are seated has not ceased to be the special resort of the -friends of our charming _queen_. Never was a title more deserved, and -her subjects have never revolted against her yoke. I have seen few -women who have as many friends as she; but, what is more rare, she -has the talent of binding them so closely together that in spite of -events and absence they never become strangers to each other. A common -affection for her seems to be the basis of her government; our union is -its strength, and our happiness a guarantee of its duration. Honestly, -I do not think there is a more easy despotism than hers, or a code more -gentle to observe. In her empire, you’ll find, as always, politeness -without sham, frankness without abruptness, mutual regard without -flattery, and willingness to oblige without constraint. - -‘There is, on the foremost plane, dear Major Fuchs, the happy and -peaceful possessor of this treasure. We all envy him. He continues, as -of old, the enthusiastic champion of the organisation of the Vienna -Militia, to which he owes his grade, and on which, he maintains, depend -the glory and the salvation of the Austrian monarchy. - -‘Next comes the Comtesse Laure, his wife, ever the same, kind and good, -and wholly unaffected. Her girlish face seems to be the mirror of her -excellent heart. There are women whose features are more regularly -beautiful, but hers are stamped with a sweet and animated expression -which the mere art of pleasing would vainly endeavour to imitate. And -the real secret of keeping her friends attached to her for all time -lies probably in her conciliatory disposition, which, however, is not -marked by any weakness where firmness is required. - -‘Here is the Chanoinesse Kinsky, whose expression of unaffected -kindness imparts a charm to her face to such a degree as to hide the -ravages of gradually advancing years. - -‘Here are the Princesses de Courland. In the first place, the beautiful -Duchesse de Sagan, with her ardent admiration for everything that -is grand and heroic. Her exceeding loveliness is only the least of -her qualifications. Her sister, the Comtesse Edmond de Périgord, -presents an indefinable but charming whole by reason of her gait, -movements, bearing, and voice. Both her face and her figure possess the -irresistible charm without which the most perfect beauty is practically -powerless. It is a flower seemingly ignorant of the perfume it emits. -Finally, there is the third of the Courland Graces, the delightful -Duchesse d’Exerenza, in whose person are united all the admirable -attributes of the other two. - -‘On the second plane stands Walmoden, who in spite of his being a -field-marshal to-day, has remained the simple and good-natured creature -of former times. The same may be said of the Prince de Hesse-Hombourg. -Military glory has not induced pride; his noble and stately manners -are altogether tempered by a sweet and affectionate disposition. -Prince Philippe is one of those men whom neither spite nor sarcasm can -touch. In his familiar intercourse with his fellow-mortals, he is as -distinguished for the noble impulses of his heart as he is famed on the -battle-field for his brilliant valour and his promptness of perception. - -‘Reuss is always in the clouds; I do not pretend to follow him thither. -Not having travelled, he has had little opportunity of seeing things; -consequently, he mistakes the effects of his imagination for the -results of learning, his desire to know for the elements of science, -vagueness for tact. In short, he is the living proof that with much -cleverness and the germ of talent, a man may make himself unbearable in -society by the constant display of small defects calculated to irritate -those around him. - -‘Just cast your eye in the direction of the Courland princesses, -to the Prince de Lichtenstein seated near them, who is as much at -home in the drawing-room as on the battle-field. They call him the -“monster-prince,” but I can assure you he is an Azor who has captivated -many Zémires.[67] He counts as many successes with the fair sex as -mentions in the “orders of the day.” - -‘The Duc d’Exerenza, the happy husband of a charming woman, is one of -the mortals who, as Figaro has it, “gave themselves the trouble to be -born.” All things considered, he is not a “bad sort.” - -‘De Gentz is the custodian of all the secrets of Europe, just as in a -short time he’ll possess all the orders of it. One of the many voices -of that silent being constitutes the Austrian government; what with his -manifestoes, his newspapers, and his proclamations, he has, perhaps, -been as formidable an opponent to Napoleon as the snow-bound steppes of -Russia. The honours and the ribands are, however, not exclusively the -things he wants. The sovereigns are also aware of his love of money, -and they simply gorge him with it. Overwhelmed with work and business, -satiated with pleasure, he has, nevertheless, flung himself into the -maëlstrom of society in the hope of finding some excitement which will -take him “out of himself.” It is most doubtful whether his road to -happiness lies in that direction. - -‘Ferdinand de Palfi is as sprightly as a fairy figure: his cousin is a -living Pactolus. The first gambles, wins much money, and with his gains -has built himself a magnificent mansion, which people call “a house -of cards.” He welcomes his friends there with the happy face he wears -to-night, and his friends are legion. François is handsome among the -handsome, very lavish with women, who simply worship him. Both, it is -no exaggeration to say, are under a lucky star. - -‘Prince Paul Esterhazy is kind and affectionate, but somewhat distant -in manner. He also has only to let life glide by without taking -trouble. Assuredly, he has a unique future before him. I asked Malfati -yesterday how Paul’s father, Prince Nicolas, who is no longer young, -can keep up with all these gay doings without impairing his health. “It -is his happiness that keeps him up,” replied the physician. Happiness -considered in that light is, unfortunately, not as yet a medical -prescription.’ - -Just as the baron had finished his portraits, supper was served. - -The principal topic of conversation was the imperial _carrousel_ which -was to take place the next day. The young Comte de Woyna, who was to -be one of the twenty-four knights, gave us all the particulars of -the preparations, and was eagerly listened to, for the interest and -curiosity of the moment centred there. Even business and pleasure paled -before that memorable fête, which in itself was to condense all the -splendour of the Congress. - -The day so much longed for broke at last. The preparations had -occupied so many weeks as to leave no doubt about the intentions of -the Court to display all the marvels of its pomp and the resources of -its wealth. The fête was to conjure up all the brilliant and poetical -traditions of the past. The last traces of the recreations of ancient -chivalry were effaced before the last vestiges of feudalism. Our age, -wholly practical in war as in love, no longer lends itself to those -ingenious and delightful theories of mediævalism. The enthusiasm of -the heart, the elevation of thought, and the abnegation of passion -have disappeared from our manners and customs, and been replaced by a -serious and polished selfishness. One is no longer the chosen knight -of this or that fair one. One no longer maintains, lance in hand, the -superiority of her charms against all comers; one no longer risks one’s -life for a scarf embroidered by her fingers. Love nowadays avoids -attracting attention; it is only an accessory of life, and its first -care is to wrap itself round as if with some mysterious veil. - -The manners and customs of ancient chivalry are, nevertheless, -deserving of regret. Love, thus understood and openly professed, was -not only the life of the heart but the source of great thoughts and -noble passions. It must have been grand to proclaim one’s disinterested -courage, one’s contempt of danger, when the sole recompense hoped for -was a word or a smile from the woman beloved. - -The fair sex especially must regret those changes in our social habits. -Ever since the levelling tendency of general civilisation lowered the -standard of our feelings, women have lost that ideal empire in which -they reigned as sovereigns; they have descended from a throne to be -confounded with the crowd. It is not difficult, then, to imagine their -interest in the preparations for a fête the object of which was to -bring back to the mind, and to revive, as it were, the forms and spirit -of the age of chivalry. - -The Prince de Ligne had presented me with one of the tickets sent to -him by the great Marshal Trauttmansdorff. At seven we were on our way -together to the Burg. - -‘Do not imagine,’ said the prince while we were trundling along, ‘that -you are going to witness a combat to the death. It will be neither a -_pas d’armes_ [the disputing of a passage by one or several knights], -nor, least of all, an appeal to “the judgment of God,” in which the -vanquished could only redeem his life by entering a monastery. Those -serious contests have been replaced by more graceful and less violent -exercises. Our modern redressers of wrongs in their tournaments uphold -the incomparable beauty of their lady by the power of their lances in -as peaceable a manner as the champions of old defended a thesis at the -“Courts of Love.” Hence, we need apprehend no fatal accident like that -which put an end to the life of Henri II., and caused the abolition of -the lists of the Middle Ages.’ - -Several officers, under the orders of the grand-master of the -ceremonies, the Comte de Wurmbrandt, were ready at the doors to conduct -the guests to their seats. General curiosity had reached so high as -to lead, it was said, to the forging of tickets, which were sold at -an enormous price. In consequence of this the police of Vienna had -been compelled to institute the most minute researches. The imperial -riding-school, constructed by Charles V., and ever since called the -‘Hall of the Carrousel,’ had been set apart for the function. The -structure, the vast interior of which is as spacious as an ordinary -church, has the form of a long parallelogram. All around it there runs -a circular gallery communicating with the apartments of the palace. -Seats for twelve hundred spectators rose in a magnificent sweep of -tiers. The gallery was divided into four-and-twenty sections by as -many Corinthian columns, against which were hung the scutcheons of the -knights with their arms and mottoes. - -At each end of the vast arena two stands, occupying the whole length -of the building, had been erected. They were draped with the most -gorgeous textile stuffs; the one set apart for the sovereigns, -empresses, queens, and reigning princes; the other, exactly facing it, -intended for the ladies of the twenty-four paladins about to prove -that they were the fairest among the fair. Above these stands were the -orchestras, in which forgathered all that Vienna could boast in the way -of distinguished musicians. - -One of the lateral galleries was reserved for the ambassadors, the -ministers, and the plenipotentiaries of Europe, for the military -celebrities, and for the illustrious foreign families. The Austrian, -Hungarian, and Polish nobles occupied the other gallery. Immediately -under the imperial stand was the row of rings to be carried away by -the competitors at full tilt. Ranged round the arena on pillars -were Turkish and Moorish heads with the traditional turban, equally -intended to serve as targets for the combatants. No doubt the hatred -of the Teuton warriors for their invaders and implacable foes was -kept up in days of yore by similar devices. Finally, in order to -prevent accidents, the floor of the riding-school was hidden beneath -a layer of fine sand, half-a-foot deep. At the door of the hall there -was a barrier, marking the entrance to the lists. Behind that door -were posted the heralds-of-arms with their trumpets and in gorgeous -costumes. Numberless lustres and candelabra holding wax candles shed -through this huge interior a light scarcely inferior to that of day. - -We were seated between Field-marshal Walmoden and the Prince Philippe -de Hesse-Hombourg. Near us was the Prince Nicolas Esterhazy in his -uniform of the Hungarian hussars, the magnificent embroidery of -which was in itself sufficient to excite the greatest curiosity. The -first row of our gallery was occupied by the handsomest and most -eminent women of Viennese society: the Princesses Marie Esterhazy, -de Wallstein, Jean de Lichtenstein, de Stahremberg, de Colloredo, de -Metternich, de Schwartzenberg, the Comtesses Batthyani, de Durkeim, -etc. The opposite gallery held the foreign ladies. In the back rows, -the ‘highnesses,’ the diplomatic ‘excellencies’ of every country, -of every degree of importance, constituted an almost unbroken line -of glittering gold and diamonds in their Court dresses and uniforms -disappearing beneath their orders and embroideries. A relief was -afforded by the red of Cardinal Gonzalvi’s dress; and a little further -on by the turban of the Pasha of Widdin, the caftan of Mauroyeny[68] -and the colpack of Prince Manug, Bey of Murza. These seemed to supply a -kind of variant to this incomparable splendour. - -‘Just look at Lady Castlereagh, close to the stand of the sovereigns,’ -said the Prince de Ligne. ‘She is wearing her husband’s Garter in -diamonds as a kind of tiara. That is a little bit of facetious vanity, -not contemplated by courteous Edward III. when he picked up the blue -ribbon that fastened the stocking of the handsome Alice of Salisbury. -Pride, when it wishes to make itself conspicuous, often plays us some -scurvy tricks.’ - -At eight to the minute a blast of trumpets by the heralds announced the -arrival of the twenty-four ladies, escorted by their valiant champions. -They took their seats in the first row of their stand. - -All, in virtue of their grace and beauty, deserved the name of ‘belles -d’amour’ that had been given to them. They were the Princesses Paul -Esterhazy, Marie de Metternich, the Comtesses de Périgord, Rzewuska, -Marassi, Sophie Zichy, etc. It is impossible to imagine a more gorgeous -and at the same time graceful spectacle. These ladies were divided into -four quadrilles, each distinguished by the colour of their dresses, -namely, emerald green, crimson, blue, and black. All their dresses were -made of velvet, trimmed with priceless lace and sparkling with precious -stones. - -The whole of their costumes had been copied in the minutest details -from those of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. The quadrille -that had adopted emerald green wore the Hungarian national dress. -It consisted of a long open tunic over a petticoat of white satin, -fastened from the bust to the knees with diamond pins. Placed at -regular intervals, the openings between these pins disclosed the satin, -the dazzling white and glimmer of which presented a most delicious -contrast to the rich green of the velvet. Other diamond hooks likewise -marked openings from the waist to the shoulder. The bodice itself, -flat-busted, was covered with valuable gems. A principal wide and -floating sleeve of velvet, opening from the shoulder, fell along the -arm; beneath was another ample sleeve of white satin, embroidered -like the bodice, but in gold and coloured jewels. On their heads they -wore velvet toques, entirely covered with precious stones. Finally, a -long gossamer veil, picked out with gold, fastened to the head-dress, -and descending as far as the feet, enwrapped the wearer in a kind of -beautiful haze. - -The other quadrilles had chosen respectively the Polish, Austrian, and -French costumes of the Louis XIII. period. A glance at them easily -induced the belief that all the trinket-caskets of the Austrian -monarchy had been ransacked. The ornaments worn on that evening by -these two dozen fair ones were estimated at thirty millions of francs. -Those of the Princesse Esterhazy, _née_ Tour et Taxis, figured in that -estimate for about six millions. - -As soon as the ‘love beauties’ had taken their seats, presenting, as -it were, a line of angelic faces, all eyes were turned towards them. -Motionless, and enveloped in their long, transparent veils, they seemed -to await with the utmost calm the moment of their triumph. A second -blast of trumpets announced the arrival of the sovereigns. At their -entrance everybody rose, the four-and-twenty ladies flung back their -veils, and stood forth revealed in all their beauty, and were greeted -with unanimous applause, mingled with the acclamations due to the -presence of the monarchs. - -The Emperor of Austria took his seat in the centre of the stand, with -the two empresses by his side; the other sovereigns and reigning -princes being placed according to their precedence. The seats, -upholstered in velvet, were resplendent with gold and embroidery. The -Emperor of Russia, confined to his apartments through indisposition, -was not present at this fête, but another was given in his honour a -few days later, at which the details of the first were reproduced with -mathematical precision. - -The illustrious guests of the Austrian Court in their most brilliant -uniforms, or with their most magnificent ornaments, constituted -an imposing sight. In the front row of the imperial stand, to the -right and to the left of the empresses, were the Queen of Bavaria, -the Duchesse Béatrice d’Este, the Grande-Duchesse d’Oldenbourg, and -her sister, Marie de Weimar; behind them sat the Kings of Prussia, -Würtemberg, and Denmark; the Princes of Prussia, Würtemberg, and -Bavaria, the Prince Eugène de Beauharnais, and finally the Arch-Dukes -Charles, Albert, Ferdinand, Maximilien d’Este, Jean, and Regnier. - -There had been whispers to the effect that Marie-Louise and her young -son would be present at these fêtes, but they neither came to this -one nor to the other. Marie-Louise, in fact, was in such a false -position as to have considered it simply consistent with her dignity in -misfortune to live in retirement.[69] Consequently she rarely left the -Palace of Schönbrunn. The Prince de Ligne told me, however, that in the -company of her father and of her young sisters she had been present at -several of the rehearsals. - -The sovereigns and the spectators being seated, the building -immediately rang with stirring military music, and the twenty-four -champions appeared at the barrier. They were the pick of the nobility -of Europe. The majority had gained their spurs elsewhere during the -recent wars. If all shone in virtue of their personal glory and their -illustrious birth, they were not less distinguished by their physical -advantages. It was said that there had been rivalry in earnest in -pursuit of the honour of filling a rôle in the scenes imitated from -ancient times. Finally the choice, which was tantamount to a patent of -elegance and grace, was fixed on the youngest and handsomest. Foremost -among them were the Princes Vincent Esterhazy, Antoine Kadziwill, -Leopold de Saxe-Cobourg, the Comtes Felix Woyna, Petersen, the Vicomte -de Wargemont, the Prince Charles de Lichtenstein, Louis de Schenye, -Louis de Schönfeldt, and young Trauttmansdorff, the son of the Master -of the Horse. - -The dresses of these knights had been exactly modelled on those of the -reign of François I., _i.e._ of the period when ‘chivalry,’ after a -last short blaze, was extinguished for ever. Like their fair dames, the -knights were divided into four quadrilles, each being marked by the -colour adopted by the corresponding feminine quadrille. The dress was -composed of a velvet doublet, tight at the waist, with puffed sleeves, -and lappets lined with satin. The front of the doublet was fastened -with buttons and laces of gold; below this came the close-fitting hose -and trunks, with yellow boots reaching to the calves, and provided -with gilt spurs. The hands were cased in gloves of a similar colour, -embroidered with gold, and ending in gauntlets; while on their heads -they wore large hats turned up in front, with the plume of feathers -drooping from the side and fastened with a diamond buckle. The swords -were suspended from baldricks encrusted with precious stones. Each fair -one had presented her knight with an ample band of stuff embroidered -in silk and gold. The scarf was tied in a bow at the side of the -sword-hand. The knights bestrode Hungarian horses of the rarest beauty, -and remarkable for their quickness of movement and their perfect -training. Their sleek coats, black as ebony, were almost entirely -hidden beneath their rich caparisons. Each knight carried a long lance -‘in rest’ on his knee. Four-and-twenty pages with banners displayed -preceded them, while in their wake came an equal number of squires, -dressed Spanish fashion, their bucklers inscribed with emblems and -mottoes. - -The pages and squires drew up in line on each side of the arena. The -four-and-twenty knights, two abreast, rode up first to the stand of -the sovereigns, and lowered their lances in sign of salutation and -obedience before the queens and empresses; the latter graciously -responded with a wave of their hands. Retracing their steps, the -knights direct their horses to the other stand, and offer similar -homage to their ladies, who, however, rise in response, and thus give -the spectators an opportunity of judging the beauty of their features, -the elegance of their figures, and the richness of their dresses. After -riding twice round the arena, all the paladins retire, awaiting a new -signal. - -The heralds soon sound a joyous blast, which is answered by the -musicians in the orchestras. The lists are open, and the different -games intended to show the skill and strength of the competitors begin. -Six knights, followed by their pages and squires, appear. They begin -with the _pas de lance_ (tilting at the ring); the horses are put to -the gallop, and each knight, rapidly borne along, removes at the point -of his lance one of the rings suspended before the imperial stand. Each -quadrille repeats the same movement three times, until the rings have -mostly disappeared, and the dexterity of the competitors has been put -to a severe test. At the end of this first exercise the lances with -the rings carried by each upon them are handed to the squires, and the -second game begins. Each champion, armed with a short dart, flings it -with consummate skill at the Saracens’ heads, and without slackening -his pace picks from the ground, by means of a second curved javelin, -the dart he has just flung. After that, drawing their swords, and -bent on the necks of their cattle, the knights gallop towards their -motionless adversaries, and strike them, endeavouring, however, to cut -them down altogether. - -Half-a-dozen different games followed, and the whole was wound up by a -cleverly simulated combat between the knights--so cleverly simulated -that the Prince de Lichtenstein bit the dust, and was carried away -unconscious. It was an accident which, but for the cries from the -ladies’ stand, would have passed unnoticed, for though the knights -endeavoured, as in the jousts of old, to dismount their rivals, certain -regulations strictly limiting the bounds of attack and defence had -been fixed, and the moment there was the faintest sign of their being -exceeded by this or that combatant, the heralds-of-arms interfered, -suspended the offender, and a new knight took his place. - -The shrieks of the _belles d’amour_ were altogether spontaneous, for -they did not imitate their ancestresses, who in the tourneys of old -encouraged their champions by their cries to do battle for their renown -to the last; the modern dames and damsels confined themselves to the -bestowal of expressive looks and sweet smiles. Perhaps these contained -as much encouragement as the more noisy demonstrations of approval, -although the Prince de Ligne, to judge from his remarks, would have -fain seen the fair ones revert to the ancient customs, ‘What delights -me above all in these revivals of chivalric practices is the image -of valour and skill inspired by love,’ he said. ‘Unquestionably, -our ancestors understood the love-passion better than we do. They -introduced it into everything--into their games and into their combats. -The love-passion in those days must have been a grand and noble -feeling; it was the twin-sister of glory. With us, love is only a -matter of pleasure. Instead of making it, as of old, an incentive to -the dangers of war or to the splendid perils of the lists, our poets -and novelists have relegated it to a cottage. But “love in a cottage,” -as has been aptly said, “soon becomes a cottage without love.” The -modern taste for tournaments,’ he went on, ‘is no new thing. I did -not see the jousts organised by the great Catherine at St. Petersburg -in the first years of her reign, but I have often been told the -particulars. Their most remarkable feature was the active participation -of women. They competed as well as the men. The celebrated Marshal -Münnich[70] was principal umpire. The favourite, Gregory Orloff, and -his brother Alexis were at the heads of the quadrilles. The first prize -for skill and grace was won by the handsome Comtesse Bouturlin, the -daughter of the great Chancellor Woronzoff. When handing it to her, -the old marshal decided that she should distribute the rest of the -wreaths to the dames and knights. It really seemed as if Catherine had -exhausted all kinds of pleasure and splendour, but there is, after all, -something left.’ - -While the prince was talking the four-and-twenty knights, this time -actively assisted by their pages and squires, executed several -difficult evolutions, attesting their skill and perfect horsemanship, -and the whole was wound up by a kind of equine set-dance, in which the -quadrupeds disputed the palm with their riders. Then the knights made -the round of the arena, saluted the sovereigns and their own dames, and -disappeared in the same order as they had come. - -The sovereigns themselves intimated by rising that the entertainment -was at an end, while the knights made their appearance in the stand -allotted to their dames, escorting them to the huge rooms of the -palace set apart for the ball and the supper. These rooms were filled -with flowers, and decorated with exquisite taste; a flood of light as -brilliant as the orb of day showed the women in all their resplendent -beauty; they and their champions became the centre of general -admiration, the sovereigns having resumed the incognito, some of them, -by the aid of dominos, disappearing altogether in the crowd. - -In the principal room there was a chief table with its service entirely -of gold. It stood on a kind of platform a few feet from the ground, and -was reserved exclusively for the royal guests of the Congress. To its -left there was another table almost equally magnificent, set apart -for the princes, the archdukes, the chiefs of reigning houses, and the -ministers of the great Powers. To the right there was a third table of -forty-eight covers for the actors of the tournament. Around the room -and in the adjoining ones smaller tables were spread, at which the -guests took their seats without distinction of rank. The perfume of the -baskets of flowers, the glitter of the ornaments worn, the brilliancy -of the diamonds, mingling with the colours of the floral decorations, -and constituting, as it were, ever so many shifting rainbows, the -sheen of the golden fruit-baskets--in short, the whole presented the -most magnificent sight hitherto witnessed anywhere. The magic of that -picture transported the spectator to one of the fairy scenes created -by a poetic imagination. During the collation minstrels sang, to the -accompaniment of their harps, lays to the beauty of the dames and to -the valour of their knights. - -At the royal board the Empress of Austria was seated between the Kings -of Prussia and Denmark. Emperor Francis had by his side respectively -the Empress Elizabeth and the Grande-Duchesse d’Oldenbourg. A little -further on was the charming Marie, Duchesse de Weimar, and by her -side the Prince Guillaume de Prusse [the future Wilhelm I. King of -Prussia and German Emperor]. The ‘immense’ King of Würtemberg looks, -as usual, pre-occupied. The table, in front of him, has been cut -away to accommodate his portly person. A glance at him causes one to -speculate upon the potentiality of nature in stretching the human -skin. King Frederick of Denmark supplies an instance to the contrary; -but his intellect, his never-failing animation, his tact and the rest -of his admirable qualities, which would have transformed an ordinary -individual into a remarkable man, have made of this monarch a being -worshipped by everybody. Excellent Maximilian of Bavaria shows on his -open face the genuine expression of satisfaction and kindness. - -At the table occupied by the paladins, Mme. Edmond de Périgord is -seated by the young Comte de Trauttmansdorff, her knight. As remarkable -for her beauty as for her tasteful dress, she captivates everybody -by the charm of her remarks, both animated and clever. The other -feminine glories of the tournament vie with each other in keeping the -conversational ball rolling. After the banquet a move was made to the -ball-room. More than three thousand invitations had been issued. All -that Vienna contained in the shape of illustrious personages, whether -in virtue of their birth, rank, or functions were there forgathered. -No memory could recall so many names celebrated in this or that -respect. No pen could adequately describe all those statesmen to whom -Europe had confided the interests of her destiny. Here, the Comte de -Loevenhielm, M. de Bernstorff, and the Prince d’Hardemberg[71] calmly -discussing the claim submitted to the Congress by the deposed King -Gustavus-Adolphus--a claim supported by Admiral Sir Sidney Smith with -more perseverance than success. There, M. de Humboldt, the Duc de -Dalberg, the Baron de Wessemberg, familiarly debating the problems -connected with Saxony and Poland. Further on, the Commandeur Alvaro -Ruffo and M. de Palmella speculating upon the fate reserved for Italy. -Still further on, M. de Metternich and M. de Nesselrode in lively -conversation with Lord Castlereagh, and, to judge from the seriousness -of their faces, not commenting on the joke just perpetrated by the -Englishman [Irishman?] in connection with the temporary transformation -of the Garter into a tiara. While the fate of Naples, Sweden, and -Poland is apparently hanging in the balance, waltzing and dancing are -going on, without the least concern about all these questions. The -quadrilles had been arranged beforehand. In the centre of the principal -ball-room, the quadrilles of the ‘forty-eight’ notable figures formed -the chief attraction. The sun had appeared on the horizon before the -last guests left the Burg. - - - - -CHAPTER IX - - Recollections of the Military Tournament of Stockholm in 1800-- - The Comte de Fersen--King Gustavus IV.--The Challenge of the - Unknown Knight--The Games on the Bridge at Pisa. - - -During the next four days the whole of Vienna seemed engrossed with -the accounts of the magnificence of the _carrousel_. Every particular -was eagerly caught up, the names of the knights and their dames were -on everybody’s lips. There were frequent allusions to the accident to -Prince Lichtenstein, whose life had for some time been in danger. In -short, the _carrousel_ was the inevitable subject of every conversation. - -At a reception at the Princesse Jean de Lichtenstein’s, the whole of -the programme was minutely reviewed; some praised and others criticised -the knights and their dames, the feats accomplished, the horses, the -evolutions, etc. Nevertheless, the upshot of all the remarks was that, -in respect of splendour, nothing like it had ever been seen in Europe, -and that no fête of that kind had ever been attended by an equal number -of spectators.[72] - -‘It is perfectly natural that Germany, which is the birthplace of -tournaments, should endeavour to revive their glory on such a solemn -occasion,’ said Prince Philippe de Hesse-Hombourg. ‘I do not think that -anything of the kind has ever been attempted since Louis XIV.‘s time,’ -said the hostess. ‘If Colbert had seen our knights and their fair ones, -he would probably have admitted being beaten.’ - -I reminded them that the first years of the nineteenth century had -been marked by several of those tournaments; and that I myself had -witnessed one in Stockholm given by Gustavus-Adolphus IV. At the -commencement of his reign that prince endeavoured to preserve in -Sweden the brilliant valour and the elegant and courtly manners of -which the Court of Gustavus III. had afforded such perfect models. He -was passionately fond of those warlike exercises, and they generally -took place at his summer residence of Drotningholm. ‘Assuredly,’ I -remarked, ‘the Vienna _carrousel_ has been admirable throughout from -a spectacular point of view. But that which I saw in 1800 could vie -with it, not in respect of its pomp and splendour, or by reason of the -eminent rank of its spectators, but through its faithful adherence to, -and accurate reproduction of, ancient traditions. It was, moreover, -marked by an incident which recalled the chivalric and often bloody -encounters of the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries.’ As a matter of -course, I was pressed to give further particulars, and this, as far as -my memory serves me, is what I told them. - - * * * * * - -The tournament was given in honour of the queen’s birthday, and for -several months beforehand the northern Courts had been apprised of it. -The young king was to figure among the champions, and the queen, one of -the handsomest women of her time, was to crown the victor and present -to him in the presence of the whole Court the reward of his skill, -which consisted of a scarf wholly embroidered by her own hands. Nothing -had been left undone to invest this fête with all the prestige that -formerly marked those of Louis XIV., the accounts of which had fairly -astonished the whole of Europe. - -The Comte de Fersen,[73] whose physical advantages and lucky star had -placed him in such high favour at the Court of France, came to fetch -us, ‘my father’ [the Marquis de Chambonas, who had adopted the author] -and me, to escort us to Drotningholm. Before proceeding thither, he -had to take on his way the Comte de Paar, his fellow-umpire at the -tournament, who, in virtue of being a ‘Gentleman of the Chamber,’ had -been present at the rehearsal of a ballet to be given on that very -evening for the first time at the opera. No sooner had we reached the -doors of the magnificent structure, due to Gustavus III.‘s love of -art, than we were conducted to a room preceding the royal box, where a -collation was awaiting us. It was there that Gustavus-Adolphus supped -when he came to the theatre, and that, divesting himself of all his -royal prerogatives, he became the equal of his friends. In tragic -contrast with the rest of the magnificent and sumptuous furniture, -with all those gold, silken, and alabaster decorations, one could not -help noticing a crimson velvet couch with stains all over it. It was -on this couch that Gustavus-Adolphus III. had been laid during the -night of the 16th March 1792, after the exploit of Ankarstroem. The -blood from his wound had practically soaked the material. Though it -would have been extremely simple to remove the piece of furniture, thus -effacing the trace of a crime committed in a place devoted to pleasure, -the king, from motives it was not easy to guess, had insisted upon -the couch remaining there, perhaps as an object lesson or merely as a -remembrance.[74] - -The Comte de Paar soon joined us, and shortly afterwards we were on our -way to the Queen’s demesne, about four leagues from Stockholm. Numerous -carriages were performing the same journey, and they rendered the -picturesque Swedish country road more animated than usual. - -A dense crowd had gathered since early morning around the castle, -blocking up every approach to it. They were on foot, on horseback, -and in every kind of conveyance; nevertheless, most admirable order -prevailed throughout. Two Uhlans of the Guards and an equerry were -waiting for the Comte de Fersen, who, in virtue of his functions as an -umpire, was to preside at the fête. - -At a little distance from the castle, in a pretty valley overlooked -by wooded heights, a circus had been erected, with galleries capable -of holding about four thousand spectators. Its floor had disappeared -beneath a thick layer of the finest sand, and high and strong palisades -surrounded it on every side. The women, in their richest apparel, -were almost without exception remarkable for the beauty peculiar to -their sisters of northern climes. The men were in uniform or in Court -dress. A cloak of black silk lined with crimson satin was considered -tantamount to gala vesture. The grandees of the kingdom had all -donned the dresses connected with their functions. Stands, draped -with satin, and displaying the three crowns of Sweden, were set apart -for the ambassadors. The ring was hung with Swedish standards. At one -end of the building was the pavilion for the queen and her ladies of -honour, particularly noticeable for the coquettish mingling of its -decorations, consisting of flowers, weapons, and flags, intertwined -with simple and genuine elegance. Dupré, the French architect, one of -the most celebrated decorators of Europe, had superintended all the -arrangements. - -At regular distances there were columns, from some of which were -suspended the rings for the games, while others supported the Turks’ -heads to be slashed at by the competitors. The banners of the knights -selected to dispute the prize were first borne in procession around the -arena, then fixed against the different barriers of the ring. - -Before leaving us Comte de Fersen had introduced us to his friend, M. -de Rozen, a young man who had taken part in the previous _carrousel_, -and who was, therefore, in a position to give us full particulars of -the present one. The various emblems and mottoes of the banners and -scutcheons were as ingenious as they were instructive in the true -spirit of chivalry. Among many I cite the following:-- - - A sword on a field azure. - - Motto--‘Je pars, je brille, je frappe.’ - (I go, I shine, I strike.) - - A lion on a field starred. - - ‘La valeur soumet les astres.’ - (Valour subjugates the stars.) - - A fire burning on an altar. - - ‘Ce qui est pur est éternel.’ - (The pure lasts for ever.) - - An ermine climbing a steep height. - - ‘Tâche sans tache.’ - (Try but keep stainless.) - -Finally, another shield, checkered red and yellow, was that of Tonin, -the jester of the late king. His motto, though, would have given no -clue to that effect. - -It ran: - - ‘Tout par raison, - Raison par tout, - Partout raison.’ - (Every thing through reason, - Reason in every thing, - Everywhere reason.) - -Tonin only jousted with witticisms, biting remarks and wholesome -truths, brought home to his hearers with a laugh; on all these points -he could make sure of the victory, for he varied them like his motto. -Among all these banners, resplendent with colour and embroidery, there -hung a black one without a squire to guard it. We asked M. de Rozen to -whom this mournful standard belonged. - -‘Do you not know?’ he replied. ‘Have you not read in the papers that -a knight who wishes to remain unknown has challenged to single combat -the champion sufficiently bold to dispute with him the prize of the -tournament? The prize, as you are aware, is a scarf embroidered by the -queen. At the time fixed for calling the roll of the knights they found -his glove lying in the middle of the ring, and his black banner planted -where it is now; attached to it was his buckler, with the following -words on a star-spangled blue ground: - - ‘Tra tanti una.’ - (Only one among all.) - -‘To add to the strangeness of the challenge is his choice of the -battle-axe, which went out of use long ago. The most curious stories -are going the round in connection with the challenge of that mysterious -Amadis. Among the different versions the most implicitly believed in is -the following: - -‘A young noble, sprung from one of the most illustrious families of -Great Britain, saw the Queen at Baden when she was only Princess -Dorothée-Wilhelmine. He fell deeply in love with her. Considering his -rank and his immense fortune, he might possibly have aspired to her -hand with success. But the two sisters of our queen having married -respectively the Emperor of Russia and Maximilien de Bavière, reasons -of state and the fitness of things carried her to the throne of Sweden. -The young lord, unable to conquer a feeling which from that moment was -shorn of all hope, was mad enough to gain admission surreptitiously to -our Court, and always under a fresh disguise. He was recognised by the -ladies-in-waiting of our queen, and narrowly escaped the punishment -due to his foolhardiness. The rumour went that he had gone to America. -Informed, no doubt, with the rest of Europe of the preparations for -this tournament, he wished to make an attempt to conquer or to die -under the very eyes of the woman he loves. It is even said that, -knowing the chivalric spirit of Gustavus-Adolphus, he conceived the -flattering hope of having a royal adversary to contend with, with the -possible chance of succeeding him who, as he probably thought, robbed -him at first. - -‘The Comte de Torstenson, son of the field-marshal, has offered to take -up the challenge. He has practised for some time with the battle-axe, -and acquired marvellous skill with it.’ - -At that moment the harmonious strains of a hundred instruments -announced the arrival of the queen, and every eye was turned towards -her. - -Her perfect beauty and the stateliness of her person would have -revealed the sovereign under the humblest dress. Surrounded by her -Court ladies, she took her seat under the canopy prepared for her. -Immediately the king at the head of his nobles entered the ring and -rode round it, saluting with his lance all the ladies, who had risen at -his coming. - -Gustavus-Adolphus IV. was at that time in his twenty-second year. -He was well built, had a martial bearing, and a noble and frank -countenance. He was anxious to copy Charles XII., and, to enhance -the likeness, he wore, as a rule, a blue coat, buttoned to the chin, -and had his hair brushed up from the roots. But with the sword that -performed such wonders at Bender, he lacked the strong arm that had so -often made the sword victorious, and the genius that had directed it. - -When he passed before the queen, in his magnificent costume, with head -erect and proud mien, and holding his lance with a firm grip, his -horse reared. Gustavus tried to quiet it, but an accidental touch of -the spurs made matters worse, and he was within an ace of being thrown. -It was the same animal he had ridden on the day of his coronation at -Upsala, and which had nearly killed him--an accident that, as a matter -of course, had furnished the superstitious among his subjects with a -thousand conjectures regarding the future of his reign. The cause of -the mishap was, however, sufficiently simple. The groom or equerry -entrusted with the training of the animal for the ceremony stopped -every day before the shop of a shoemaker, whose wife, a young Finnish -woman, amused herself by giving it a piece of bread and salt. The -handsome charger got thoroughly used to stopping at the hospitable -door, and when Gustavus, the crown on his head and sceptre in hand, -proceeded to the cathedral, it refused to pass the shop without its -usual ration. The king, thinking it was a mere whim on the animal’s -part, put the rowels into its flesh; the horse reared, crown and -sceptre rolled into the dust, and without the prompt assistance of -a page walking by the monarch’s side, who by clutching at his boot -restored his equilibrium, Gustavus would have gone the way of the royal -insignia. At the news of the accident, the fortune-teller, Arvidson, -exclaimed, it was said, with tears coursing down her cheeks: ‘The race -of Wasa has ceased to reign in Sweden.’[75] At the slightest uncommon -event of that reign, the prediction of the fortune-teller was ‘trotted -out’; as a matter of course the spectators at the tournament at once -added this omen to the rest. - -Meanwhile, the barrier was thrown open to the knights in their -magnificent dresses. Divided into quadrilles, they rode around the -lists, and in passing before the queen they saluted by lowering their -lances. All wore the colours of their dames in the form of a scarf, a -veil, a knot of ribbons, or a buckle. After that, they put their horses -through the boldest and most graceful evolutions. When that warlike -procession was concluded, to the sound of blasts from the combined -bands of the regiments of the Guards and the cheering of the crowd, -they retired to await the signal for the jousts. - -A herald-of-arms, taking his stand in the centre of the arena, -announced the opening of the tournament, and added in a loud voice: -‘In the name of the king, and according to the laws of the kingdom, it -is forbidden to any subject or alien to give or to accept a challenge -to single combat under no matter what pretext. It would be senseless -to imagine that an enclosure intended for the display of games of -skill could with impunity serve for the shedding of blood in the very -presence of the queen.’ - -The proclamation was received with signs of general approval. The -black banner of the unknown champion was torn down, and contemptuously -flung over the barrier. After which, Gustavus rode up to the Comte -de Torstenson, who had taken up his position at the entrance to the -lists, and who wore a brilliant suit of armour, with a magnificent -breastplate, inlaid with gold, over a coat of double mail, and whose -hand grasped a heavy battle-axe, which was lowered as his king drew -near. - -‘Comte de Torstenson,’ said Gustavus, holding out his hand, ‘we -appreciate your courage, and we thank you for it, but we reserve it for -a more noble opportunity.’ - -The lists were declared open. The king said in a loud voice, ‘Let every -one do his duty.’ Comte Fersen in his capacity of judge replied: ‘Go.’ -Then the different games commenced and were kept up for four hours. As -at the Vienna _carrousel_, the knights vied with each other in showing -their skill, their valour, and agility. The weather was magnificent; -its beauty seemed to enhance the general enthusiasm. Scarfs fluttered -in the air, joyous applause and murmurs of praise broke forth at every -moment from lips as red as the rose, while flowers were flung by hands -trembling with emotion and fell at the competitors’ feet. - -The contest was a long one; the champions vying with each other in -skill. Finally, Comte Piper was adjudged the victor. The judge and the -heralds proclaimed his name and conducted him to the feet of the queen, -who, while complimenting him, vested him with the scarf, the reward -of his skill, and held out the hand that embroidered the ornament for -him to kiss. The trumpets sounded a joyous blast, while cheers broke -forth greeting the victorious young champion, who was moreover pelted -with flowers. His banner was hung upon a car drawn by two milk-white -reindeer richly caparisoned: Comte Fersen had sent for them to his -estate in Lapland to offer them to the king. The car was escorted by -the whole of the Court across the park to the banqueting hall at the -castle. Several tables had been spread; the king presided over that -occupied by his family and the victorious knight; the chancellor and -the grand officers of the crown presided over the others. Refreshments -were served to the people in the garden, and when night set in, the -gaiety that prevailed on the immense lawn and in the bosky dells -glittering with lights invested the fête with the air of a family -gathering. - -After the banquet we went to the beautiful opera-house to hear the -lyrical drama of _Gustave Wasa_, the music of which was by Piccini, -and the libretto by the late king. Finally, a general illumination of -the gardens, a torchlight procession, and enormous fireworks fitly -wound up the day, which doubtless was among the small number of happy -ones reserved by fate for Gustavus-Adolphus IV. - - * * * * * - -The guests of the Princesse Jean de Lichtenstein had listened -attentively to the particulars of a fête which apparently did not -belong to our own times. The listeners, and especially the fair sex, -had probably expected a sequel to the challenge of the knight of -the black banner, which sequel, of course, was to take the form of -a ‘combat to the death.’ The pacific termination of the tournament -seemed to cause more or less of a disappointment. I ventured to remark -that neither the tournament at Stockholm nor the _carrousel_ in Vienna -could compare with the games enacted on the bridge of Pisa, which, -from the standpoint of danger and tenacity of purpose, presented the -most perfect image of the old wars in Italy of the Middle Ages. No one -present but myself had ever witnessed these games, and I was asked to -convey an idea of them. - - * * * * * - -The last of those games, at which I happened to be present, took place -during the short-lived existence of the kingdom of Etruria.[76] They -had been abolished long ago on account of the accidents to which they -gave rise. The queen’s consent to their revival was obtained with -great difficulty. The origin of this struggle cannot be fixed with -any degree of certainty, for though it was called ‘a game’ it was in -reality a battle. It is more than probable that they dated from the -long distant past; according to some, they were Greek and almost as -old as the Olympic Games. The Pisans maintain that in the ancient -chronicles of their town there is a mention of the names of some -champions of Sainte-Marie who formed part of the contingent despatched -by their republic to the Crusades. In our days Alfieri has given us a -poetical picture of those chivalric contests, with all their perils and -the passions they aroused. - -Pisa is traversed by the Arno; and a handsome marble bridge connects -the two quarters of the town. One quarter has its patroness in the -Virgin Mary, the other is placed under the protection of St. Anthony. -When they celebrated those games in days of old, each side chose three -hundred champions to proclaim and maintain the pre-eminence of their -patron’s banner against all comers. Those improvised defenders were -always selected from among the strongest, the bravest, and most agile -young fellows of their quarter. - -They were clad in armour similar to that worn by their ancestors in -the palmy days of the republic. Trained and drilled long beforehand by -experienced leaders, they stoutly prepared themselves both for attack -and defence. A massive breastplate, a helmet, armlets, and cuish of -steel constituted their means of defence; their weapon of offence -consisted of a kind of club of hard wood, three feet long; one blow -dealt with force and precision was sufficient to disable an adversary. - -A lowered barrier in the centre of the bridge separated the combatants. -At the stroke of three from the cathedral towers, a cannon shot gave -the signal, and immediately the barrier was raised. Amidst a furious -blast of trumpets, the struggle began, and the blows from the heavy -clubs rang on the steel of the breastplates and helmets. That game, -almost as barbarous as the times that gave it birth, lasted for -three-quarters of an hour. At the discharge of a second shot, the -barrier was lowered, and the party which had driven back the other from -its position, if but the length of a foot, was proclaimed the victor. -Cries of joy rang on the bank that had gained the victory, while a -mournful silence attested the defeat and the disgrace of the opposite -bank. - -In 1805 I happened to be in Pisa, and thanks to some friends and the -kindness of M. Aubusson de la Feuillade, the French ambassador, I was -enabled to witness that extraordinary fête. It had been announced -throughout the length and breadth of Italy some weeks before its -celebration. At the news of the forthcoming contest offered to strength -and dexterity, there was a rush from all parts of combatants who had -acquired a reputation for bravery or herculean strength. There was, -according to report, one from Calabria, others from Ancona and Geneva; -Rome had sent a couple of Transteverinos, and, wonderful to relate, the -learned University of Padua added to the contingent with a professor -reputed to be the strongest man of Italy. Personages belonging to the -highest classes of Italian society had inscribed themselves under the -name of some of their retainers: assured of preserving their incognito, -thanks to the visors of their helmets, they intended taking part in -the struggle, the pugilistic fever having become general. Constant -practice had familiarised the athletes with the use of their clubs to -such a degree as to enable them to handle these as their forefathers -handled the double-edged sword in the Middle Ages. The professor from -Padua talked of challenging four men armed with sabres and swords, and -of vanquishing them with the sole aid of his club. The enthusiasm had -turned all heads. No doubt it is a very extraordinary thing that, -in an enlightened age like ours, such an amusement, with all its -inevitable and perhaps fatal consequences, should have been allowed. -It is, moreover, most probable that the danger involved in the whole -affair added to people’s curiosity. Certain is it, however, that Pisa -was invaded by more than a hundred thousand strangers--an enormous -number for a town the population of which did not exceed twelve -thousand inhabitants. - -The week preceding the struggle was spent in warlike exercises, and -the eve of the day itself in pious practices and meditation. All the -combatants scrupulously kept their vigil in prayers like the knights of -old, went to confession, and took the Sacrament. The bishop publicly -blessed the standards, richly embroidered by the ladies of the foremost -families of the land. In short, everything calculated to sustain the -combatants’ courage was resorted to in honour of either the patron -or patroness whose banner they defended. Those who had laid wagers -on the event--and their number and the amount of their bets were -considerable--spared neither promises nor encouragement. During that -week, each combatant was fed like a podesta; but the use of strong -liquors was strictly forbidden: like Richelieu at the siege of Mahon, -the chiefs intimated in the ‘orders for the day’ that any champion -guilty of inebriety should not have the honour of competing. - -From six in the morning, all the windows overlooking the Arno at that -point were occupied by elegantly dressed women; these windows had -been let at enormous prices. There were, moreover, stands on both -banks of the river intended for spectators. The quays were absolutely -black with people from the rural districts. The excursion, in their -minds, was invested with the solemnity of a pilgrimage. Their varied -and picturesque dresses offered a unique sight. A large stand, -richly draped, had been erected for the queen, the court, the corps -diplomatique, and foreigners of distinction who had come from all the -Italian Courts. - -Craft of all dimensions, displaying bunting from prow to stern, -and provided with elegant tents, crowded the river. They had bands -on board, and a glance showed the preparations for cold collations -everywhere. This flotilla alone was a delightful sight. On both sides -of the bridge there were other craft: they, as it were, constituted -the riparian police, and were charged with keeping both boats and -spectators at a distance. Their second mission consisted in affording -aid to the combatants who from some cause or other might tumble into -the stream. Such accidents, to judge from a picture at the town hall, -painted more than two centuries before, were by no means improbable. -The canvas represented, among other phases of the struggle, two knights -clinging tightly to each other, and continuing the contest, while -dropping into the river. - -The living picture that day was scarcely less curious, with the noise, -bustle, and stir of the spectators, the constant movement on both banks -of the stream, the diversity of Italian dialects, and the innumerable -incidents of that outdoor life which in this sunny clime seems the most -natural. - -At twelve o’clock the combatants donned their armour; their trainers -and chiefs crowd around them and renew their counsels and instructions. -To watch the excitement of their wives and their womankind one might -have taken them for so many Spartan matrons handing their bucklers to -their sons and saying: ‘With it or on it.’ - -Thus armed, the combatants repair to their respective encampments; -refreshments are served out to them under tents, and this time the -solids are washed down with wine from the best cellars of the town. -At the bugle-call they emerge from their encampments and form in line -of battle; then, preceded by their military bands and with banners -unfurled, they slowly gain the side of the bridge they have sworn -to defend. The banners were attached outside the parapets. On each -side plans of attack and defence had been prepared, and so carefully -elaborated as to elicit the admiration of a most competent judge in -military matters, namely, the General of Division Duchesne. He had -made the campaigns of Italy, Holland, and Egypt, and considered them -(the plans) samples of strategical skill, from the manner in which the -forces were disposed for an engagement in which everything depended on -physical strength. - -Meanwhile the two parties had been pressing against the barrier for -some minutes. Three struck from the cathedral clock; at the same time -the air rings with the firing of the cannon, the signal so impatiently -waited for. The obstacle dividing the two contingents is lifted, and -the attack commences with a tenacity of which none but an eyewitness -can conceive an approximate idea. All kinds of cries fall upon the -ear. To the majority of the spectators the interest of the whole is -heightened by the promptings of greed, of pride, and even of love. Each -sign of success is greeted with deafening applause. The bravery of the -combatants rises into frenzy, and the hand-to-hand struggle becomes a -real battle with its fury and its alternating incidents. - -While the two troops assail each other with equal fury, each side -flings long ropes with iron crooks attached to them into their -adversaries’ ranks. The crook catches a leg, a man is down, and he -is dragged away captive. It is simply a modification of the lasso -practised by the Tartars on the Yedissen steppes: the running knot is -thrown around the necks of the wild horses and they are checked in -their stampede. - -The half-hour after three had struck, and the two contingents, pressed -tightly against each other, seemed so many athletes who, unable to make -their opponents budge, spend their strength in protracted efforts. Not -an inch of ground had been gained; another ten minutes, and Victory -herself, in her indecisive mood, would have claimed, as in days of old, -her share of the glory. - -The two masses were so tightly wedged against each other as to make -fighting impossible. They were simply like the waves of two meeting -streams. In order to give further weight to the men, each leader -ordered his band of musicians to advance, which movement again only -equalised the power of resistance. On the two banks a mournful silence -followed the joyous acclamations of the previous half-hour; the -general deadlock left little or no hope of a decisive result. At last -two champions of the hindmost ranks of Sainte-Marie hit upon a most -audacious movement. In spite of the weight of their armour, they climb -on to the shoulders of their comrades, and for a few moments remain -erect on the flooring of brass and steel; in other words, the large -helmets so closely serried as to leave little or no space between them. -Advancing carefully from helmet to helmet, they reach the first rows -of their own contingent. From the height of that living fortress, as -from the height of a war-chariot, they shower tremendous blows with -their clubs on the heads of their adversaries. The latter, though -protected by the metal covering their skulls, finally reel and fall -down. The breach is made, a thousand cries of victory from the side of -Sainte-Marie are heard, and its mass advances. In a short time it has -over-stepped its own line of demarcation, and the banner of St. Anthony -is carried away by the two aerial champions. - -The leader of the opposite forces in vain attempts a defence similar -to the attack. Some St. Anthony champions also climb on to their -fellows’ shoulders. There is positively a second combat on the heads -of the combatants, without, however, detracting in the slightest from -the fury of the onslaught of those who are on _terra firma_. It was -indeed something marvellous to see those two stages of warriors dealing -each other blows and using all the combined resources of strength. The -struggle was both violent and intense; at one moment it seemed that the -banner of St. Anthony was going to be recovered. One of the champions -of Sainte-Marie, the nearest to the parapet, took his club in both -hands, and with a swing brought it down on the head of the adversary -facing him. The latter reels, loses his balance, and drops into the -Arno. Frenzied clamour from both sides rends the air. The army of the -Holy Virgin redoubles its efforts and stands like a rock on the ground -it has gained. Joshua was not there to stop the sun in its course. The -third quarter of the hour has struck, the cannon gives the signal and -the barrier is lowered. The army of the Holy Virgin remains the victor; -the honour of the day belongs incontestably to it. - -Immediately the victorious quarter rang with joy and inspiriting -blasts of trumpets, while a mournful silence and a feeling of disgrace -fell upon that of the vanquished. It is a true saying that men derive -the energy of their feelings from the sky under which they were -born. Hence, while the champions of the Holy Virgin were loaded with -caresses, praise, and gifts, carried in triumph and enthusiastically -welcomed by their families, those of St. Anthony silently regained -their domiciles, where sarcasm and reproaches awaited them, and where -they perhaps deemed themselves fortunate if, for balm to their wounds, -they did not get additional blows from their own flesh and blood. - -At night the victorious quarter was agog with balls, concerts, music, -the tooting of horns, the whole of it only ceasing with morn. On the -bank opposite everything remained pitch dark. The quarter conveyed the -impression of being inhabited by ghosts. - -Nothing, I fancy, can be compared to that scene. For more than -a century, Europe had not witnessed a similar spectacle, where -everything, arms as well as wounds, was altogether serious. And he -who had not seen a real battle might have well believed that he was -witnessing one by going back in his imagination to an epoch when cannon -was not as yet the last argument of kings. - - - - -CHAPTER X - - The Prince de Ligne’s Song of the Congress--Life on the Graben - --The Chronicle of the Congress--Echoes of the Congress-- - A Companion Story to the Death of Vatel--Brie, the King of - Cheese--Fête at Arnstein the Banker’s--The Fête at Prince - Razumowski’s--The Prince Royal of Würtemberg--Russian - Dances--Retrospection. - - -The smaller ball-room usually reserved for the masked routs was filled -to overflowing. That gathering, like all those that had preceded it, -was the living image of a society devoted to pleasure, to flirting, and -seductive pastimes of every description. - -‘We have got a new guest, and, moreover, one who’ll be by no means -welcome at the Congress,’ remarked the Prince de Ligne. - -‘Some deposed sovereign, prince?’ I asked. - -‘No; a guest who means to have his share of all these rejoicings; -not to mince words, the plague. At this moment it is raging in -Servia, and threatens to make its entrance here in proper person and -without plenipotentiaries. You may, however, make your mind easy; -all precautions are taken, and we shall want neither conferences nor -treaties against the unwelcome visitor. - -‘Since yesterday,’ he went on, ‘this important assembly of the greatest -monarchs and their august deliberations have inspired me to write, -not a philosophical treatise or a serious work of any kind, either -political or otherwise, but a song. At any rate, it will be a song to -some, though it may be a lesson to others. It’s a popular ditty without -the least pretension; I wrote it in a quarter of an hour. We may add -that it was written with one of the pens of the great Frederick, the -only thing I brought away with me from Sans-Souci. The quill possesses -the further merit of having traced some plans of battle, and some -verses which were no better than mine.’ - -I complimented him, laughing. - -‘Don’t laugh,’ he rejoined. ‘The history of the Congress is not unlike -the history of France, which, as Ménage averred, might be written with -a collection of light comedies interspersed with song, to guide the -author.’ - -Then, after a few moments of silence, ‘I’ll not admit the paternity of -this trifle, except to my friends. I have not forgotten the Duchesse de -Boufflers’ reward of the cocksure vanity of the Comte de Tressan.[77] I -have nothing to oppose to the thousands of bayonets of the occupants of -thrones but so many words marshalled in line. The struggle would not be -equal.’ - -‘But to whom, prince, if not to you, should belong the privilege of -telling the truth?’ - -‘You mean in virtue of my age?’ - -I quickly changed the subject. This excellent prince always came back -to his regrets at being more or less put into the shade by men who -had only recently made good their names, and his comments on current -events, though devoid of all bitterness, were stamped with a kind of -sadness. I began talking to him about his military writings, which he -liked best of all, and to which he attached the greatest importance. -Posterity has judged differently. It has allotted the foremost place -to his clever witticisms, to his remarks on the society, the manners -and customs, and the artistic questions of his time, in the writing of -which his imagination found full play. The soldier is almost entirely -forgotten, but the sprightly and pungent literary man, the impartial -and quick observer, is admired as much as ever. - -‘I have left my works to my company of Trabans. They are the -reflections of an old soldier whose experience has been deemed -superfluous. At any rate, people will profit by it after my death.’ - -It was evident that the prince was in one of the fretful moods that -now and again assailed him as a set-off to his youthful gaiety. His -features became clouded, he took my arm; we had a short stroll round -the rooms, then went out and walked silently to his little house on the -rampart. - -Next morning when I called I found him, contrary to his custom, out of -bed and seated in his library, which was at the same time his bed- and -reception-room, and which, smiling, he had named the last bar of his -perch. - -‘You have come for the song. Just listen to it.’ And in a by no means -feeble voice he began to sing the trifle which was soon taken up by all -classes of society, including the sovereigns themselves.[78] - -‘Take this copy with you,’ said the prince; ‘my heirs will be none -the worse for this liberality on my part. It is different with regard -to these two manuscripts which I am just touching up. One deals with -considerations on the disastrous Austrian campaigns during the first -years of the French Revolution; the other treats of the campaigns in -Italy up to Marengo. Both are not without interest. But,’ interrupting -himself, ‘while I am making songs on the Congress, what becomes of it? -Have you got any news?’ - -‘None, prince, not a syllable of what transpires leaks out. To tell -the truth, people do not appear to concern themselves much with regard -to it. There is, however, a great deal of talk about a ball Emperor -Alexander proposes to give to the sovereigns at Prince Razumowski’s -mansion on St. Catherine’s night, the fête-day of the Grand-Duchess of -Oldenburg.’ - -‘That’s right, those poor kings ought to have a holiday. I am not -certain, though, that at the end of all these entertainments any of the -monarchs will be able to say to himself what my dear Joseph II. said. -When he had worked the whole of the day at the reforms which, while -immortalising his name, contributed to the happiness of the empire, -he said, lightly tapping his cheek, “And now, go to bed, Joseph, I am -pleased with your day’s work.” - -‘Amidst this cross-fire of different pretensions, have you heard -anything of a claim of another kind? Trifling though it may be, it -is calculated to provide some occupation for the archons of the -Congress. It is a note presented by Louis Buon-Compagni, Prince of -Lucca and Piombino, claiming sovereign rights over the island of -Elba. He considers the investment of Napoleon with that sovereignty -out of order and out of place. His claim is supported by a document, -in which Emperor Ferdinand acknowledges to have received from one of -his ancestors, Nicolas Ludovisi, Duc de Venosa, more than a million -of florins for the investiture of Elba and Piombino, granted to him -and his descendants. Here’s a pretty business--the man who ruled -the world threatened with ejectment by another Robinson Crusoe! If -Louis [Ludovico] Buon-Compagni would come down to the rôle of Friday, -matters might be arranged. But he wants his island, and wants it all to -himself. Trifling as the incident may appear, it would lend itself to -a very curious chapter. It would be the height of absurdity to see the -man who distributed crowns without a stone on which to put his heroic -head in an unknown island.’ - -Coming back to his favourite topic, the prince referred once more -to warlike matters, and in a manner as enthusiastic as if he were -twenty. At such moments his tall and beautiful figure drew itself up -to its full height, his features became animated, his eyes positively -brilliant. ‘Don’t imagine, my dear boy, that during two days I have -done nothing but concoct rhymes or epigrams on the Congress. You see -these two volumes; well, I have spent the night in reading them.’ - -He pointed to a military work entitled _Principes de Stratégie -appliqués aux Campagnes de 1796 en Allemagne_. Its author, Arch-Duke -Charles, had sent them to him. - -‘In this book, full of curious details and profound views,’ he -said, ‘there is only one mistake as far as I can judge. The author -is too severe upon himself. There is not the faintest doubt about -the transcendent military worth of Prince Charles, but it is marked -by so much modesty and such simplicity of manner as to seem scarcely -reconcilable with his reputation. He is not only the greatest captain -of Austria, but more than once he has proved himself a counter-balance -to the genius of your Napoleon. In his valour, in his faculty of -inspiring both respect and obedience in his soldiers, he is like -Frederick; in his virtues, his strict integrity, and his unalterable -love of duty, he is the living image of the Prince Charles of Lorraine. -The frankness of his soul is reflected in his face. Some time ago I -attempted to draw his portrait in verse. I sent it to him anonymously, -knowing as I did that direct praise was apt to displease him. In some -way, I do not know how, he guessed the authorship. No doubt my feelings -got the better of my style, and I presume that the books he sent me are -intended as a reply. I have just finished reading them. I feel certain -of their becoming classical, for admiration instinctively follows a -public man admitted, as he is, to be possessed of a grand and noble -character.’ - -Then he drifted to the famous captains of his time and to their -notable exploits; and gradually I felt his enthusiasm gaining upon -me. His own genius was discernible in his looks, and electrified -me. The conversation of such men as he is more apt to enlighten one -and to speak louder than their books. Inasmuch as I had made up my -mind religiously to garner every literary scrap from the pen of this -encyclopedic man, I asked him to give me his verses on Prince Charles, -and I added them to my precious collection. - -‘We’ll meet at Razumowski’s,’ he said, ‘seeing that, guided by pleasure -only, we are evidently advancing towards the great result of this -sapient assembly amidst balls, fêtes, _carrousels_, and games. No -doubt the day will come when we shall be allowed to know the fate of -Europe. Manifestly, though, experience does not appear to convey any -valuable lesson either to men’s passions or to their ambition; and our -era seems to have quickly forgotten a very recent past. - -‘I must leave you, to preside at a chapter of the Order of -Maria-Theresa;[79] the Commandeur-Général, Ouwaroff, is to be invested -to-day. From there I am going to dine with your great diplomatist.’ - -Since the cold weather had set in, making the Prater somewhat too -chilly for idlers and loungers on foot, the latter foregathered on -the Graben. The newspaper writers thronged the public resort, and, -in default of genuine particulars of the Congress, retailed their -so-called political information and Court stories, as devoid of -probability, not to say of truth, as the rest. Outdoor life had assumed -such proportions that one might have safely said to one’s friends -in the evening, ‘I looked for you on the Graben to-day. I failed -to find you, so I left my card.’ The Graben was to the majority of -strangers what the Square of St. Mark is to the Venetians. They spent -the greater part of their time there. It was a kind of open-air club; -everybody received and returned calls there; the life of the capital -was practically regulated on that spot; folk appointed to meet there -to discuss their future movements, and to organise pleasure parties -for the evening. Hence, it would be no exaggeration to say that people -lived in common on the Graben, amidst an immense group of ‘loafers,’ -idlers, ‘spouters,’ and disputants. - -There was another kind of store-house for news, epigrams, witty -sallies, and satirical observation; a kind of ‘lion’s mouth’ _à la -Vénitienne_, less the secret denunciations. Or rather, the place was -like the Marforio in Rome, I mean the statue at the foot of which there -was a constant flow of criticism both on the governors and on the -governed. The second spot was the big room of the ‘Empress of Austria’ -tavern, which I have already mentioned. Every day, at the dinner-hour, -the place was thronged with illustrious and important personages, -anxious to escape from the magnificent but somewhat solemn banquets of -the Austrian Court. At a ‘round table’ the occupants vied with each -other in challenges--not like those of the ancient knights of King -Arthur, but in wit-combats, sarcastic lunges, and epigrams, all of them -tempered by the perfect tone of Courts and of the best society. - -The constant variety of its patrons invested this improvised club with -the greatest interest. Among the _habitués_ were the Chevalier de Los -Rios, Ypsilanti, Tettenborn, MM. Achille Rouen, Koreff, Danilewski, -the Prince Koslowski, Gentz, the secretary of the Congress, the Comte -de Witt, Carpani, the poet, ever so many generals, ambassadors, and -very often some royal highnesses. Narischkine, the great-chamberlain, -came now and again, treating the company to his biting and dreaded -sallies. In short, there was a never-failing muster of all that Vienna -held within its walls in the way of political, artistic, and social -celebrities. - -The stories told there could have rightly been called the ‘Chronicle of -the Congress,’ and even the ‘Chronicles of Europe’; everybody of note, -or of erewhile renown, being apparently responsible for his doings and -sayings to the jurisdiction of the caustic Areopagus of that tavern. - -Although the fare was in keeping with the company and the conversation, -prices were comparatively modest. In spite of the number of strangers -in Vienna at that moment, in spite of their rank and their wealth, -the cost of most things, except of lodgings, was moderate. The Dutch -ducat was worth twelve florins in paper, which fact, doubling its -value in money, increased the resources of a stranger in that ratio. -The whole may be judged from the fact that meals, profusely served and -supplemented with several kinds of wine, were supplied at the rate of -five florins per head. - -Griffiths and I took our seats at one of the tables. They were talking -about the preparations for the fête next day at Razumowski’s, and of -the honour the emperor had bestowed upon him by creating him a prince. - -‘He deserved the distinction,’ said Koslowski. ‘The new prince, since -he has been our ambassador at Vienna, has made many valuable friends. -In the recent discussions on Poland, he was instrumental in restoring -harmony, and in putting an end to the little pecking which threatened -to become serious.’ - -‘Added to this,’ remarked the representative of a German princelet, -‘there is a prerogative attached to his new title. Henceforth, when -going out at night he can have torch-bearers running in front of him.’ - -The new prince having become the momentary target for the remarks of -everybody, there were, of course, many references to his enormous -fortune, which, when all was said and done, was only a fraction of the -wealth of his father, the marshal, who, greatly favoured by Empress -Elizabeth, became the wealthiest private individual of Europe.[80] He -and Frederick had a curious little scene one day. When the marshal was -in Berlin the king held in his honour a review of the troops who had -gone through a score of campaigns. In Russia all the dignities and -functions are assimilated to corresponding military grades, from the -lowest to the topmost rung of the ladder; nevertheless, the marshal -had never seen a battlefield. - -‘I trust you are pleased, marshal,’ said the King of Prussia at the -termination of the manœuvres. - -‘Much pleased indeed, sire, although the whole of it is altogether -beyond my competence; I am only a civil marshal.’ - -‘You are indeed very civil, marshal; unfortunately we have no such -grades in our army,’ replied Frederick. - -Political gossip formed the main item of our conversation that evening. -‘The intervention of Razumowski,’ remarked one of a group, ‘and his -conciliatory efforts throughout have by no means been rewarded too -highly. The quarrel was getting envenomed, I have been told. One of -the most eminent of European plenipotentiaries expressed himself in -the course of the discussion with great firmness upon Alexander’s -pretensions to the throne of Poland. The Grand-Duke Constantine got -angry, and showed his anger by a somewhat too energetic gesture, after -which he left in hot haste. According to well-informed people, the -diplomatist is meditating a piece of revenge. Considering that he is a -man of wit, we may expect something odd.’ - -‘No,’ replied another, ‘that’s not the cause of the grand-duke’s abrupt -departure. The minister in question wrote to Prince Hardenberg some -sentences calculated to displease the Russian monarch. By a strange -fatality the document fell into the hands of Alexander, and this led to -very lively explanations. Lord Castlereagh sided with Austria. Matters -reached such a point that one of the monarchs, forgetting his usual -reserve, flung his glove on the table. - -‘“Would your majesty wish for war?” asked the English plenipotentiary. - -‘“Perhaps, monsieur.” - -‘“I was not aware,” Castlereagh replied, “that any war was to be -undertaken without English guineas.” And appeasement,’ added the -speaker, ‘has not progressed an inch, in spite of the kindly efforts of -our new prince.’[81] - -‘Will the King of Saxony be reinstated in his kingdom in spite of -Prussia, which covets it? King Friedrich-Wilhelm is very angry with -M. de Talleyrand,’ said a third interlocutor. ‘The king lately -remonstrated with M. de Talleyrand for too warmly espousing the cause -of the Saxon monarch, that sole traitor, as he put it, to the cause of -Europe. - -‘“Traitor!” echoed Talleyrand. “And from what date, sire?” Honestly, -Frederick-Augustus ought to be forgiven everything, if there be -anything to forgive, if for no other reason than the justice of the -repartee.’ - -‘That excellent prince has done much better than that,’ replied an -interlocutor. ‘Lest some untoward event should happen, he has taken -care to make a little purse for himself, from which he has detached a -few millions for the benefit of two personages disposing of a great -deal of influence in Vienna. This golden key will open the doors of his -kingdom much more quickly than all the protocols of the Congress.’ - -All at once, and without the least transition, the talk turned on -Lord Stewart and on some mishaps due to his overweening conceit. ‘For -the last four days,’ said some one, ‘his lordship has not been seen -on foot or in his magnificent carriage. According to rumour, his face -has been more or less damaged. He had a quarrel on the Danube bridge -with a couple of hackney drivers, and immediately jumping off his -seat, his excellency, waving his arms like the sails of a windmill, -challenged his adversaries to an English boxing match. The Vienna -coachman, however, knows nothing, either theoretically or practically -of “fisticuffs,” and consequently our two Automédons’ [the French -equivalent for our ‘Jehu,’ and an allusion to Achilles’ charioteer] -‘bravely grasped their whips, and first with the thongs and afterwards -with the handles, belaboured his lordship with blows, without the least -respect for his “pretty” face. They left him lying on the ground, -bruised all over, and disappeared as quickly as their horses would take -them. - -‘Milord has bad luck, but his conceit seems incorrigible. Lately, on -leaving the theatre, he happened to be behind the daughter of the -Comtesse Co---- on the grand staircase. There was a great crush, and, -taking advantage of it, his lordship was guilty of an act of impudent -familiarity, which he might have found to his cost could only be washed -out with blood. Without being in the least disconcerted, the young, -handsome, and innocent girl quietly turned round and gave him a sound -box on the ears, as a warning to leave innocence and beauty alone. -Naturally, his lordship has been the laughing-stock of everybody, as he -often is, for nothing waits so surely upon conceit and fatuous vanity -as derision.’ - -‘Have the Genoese envoys obtained an audience at last?’ asked some one, -‘Or have they been driven away from all the diplomatic doors at which -they knocked for a hearing.’ - -‘They ought to be well pleased,’ was the answer. ‘Weaned with their -applications, M. de Metternich has given them the desired interview -and overwhelmed them with his politeness. They wish to constitute -themselves into an independent State. The minister listened to every -word they said, and when they left off speaking, told them that Genoa -would be incorporated with Piedmont. Our Genoese objected violently. -M. de Metternich told them that the affair was settled, irrevocably -settled, and bowed them out even more politely than he “bowed them in.” -He might have saved them their breath.’ - -‘The Duchesse de ----, not to be behindhand with the Princesse de ----, -who has made her lover an ambassador, has made hers a general, though -he has never seen a battle. It’s of no consequence, seeing that the -Congress, in virtue of its wisdom, is to put an end to all war both in -the immediate and distant future.’ - -‘Love turns other heads besides these,’ chimed in the first speaker. ‘A -great personage happened to see a Viennese work-girl somewhere on the -ramparts, and has fallen a victim to her rosy face and elegant figure. -There’s no doubt about it; he is thoroughly in love; he lavishes -presents on his very easy conquest, and altogether forgetting his rôle -of sovereign, he has thrown all reserve to the winds, and given her his -portrait set with diamonds. In days gone by the Court ladies would have -objected to such a _mésalliance_.’ - -Some one threw in a word about the balls given by Lady Castlereagh, -and this led to remarks on his lordship’s pronounced love for dancing. -‘The taste is easily explained, it belongs to all times and all ages,’ -was the comment. ‘Aspasia taught Socrates to dance; and when he was -fifty-six years old Cato the Censor danced even more often than -his lordship. It is doubtful whether either of these made himself -as ridiculous as that lank body of his lordship dancing a jig, and -lifting his long spindle-shanks, keeping time to the music. It is -indeed a diverting spectacle. What a windfall this would be to those -clever English caricaturists, if one could only get them to come to -Vienna! At any rate, the dancing master of his lordship, in case of -his becoming prime minister, will have no occasion to repeat what the -dancing master of the [Earl?] of Oxford said on learning that Elizabeth -had made his pupil her great-chancellor: “Truly, I fail to see what -merit the queen could find in this Barclay? I had him in hand for two -years, and was unable to make anything of him.”’ - -‘In spite of the express declaration of the sovereigns, who have -settled among themselves the questions of rank and precedence in -accordance with their age, disagreements on the subject crop up every -day,’ said somebody who had hitherto been silent. ‘The bickering -between the minister of Würtemberg and the Hanoverian minister is -without importance; nothing has come of it save the retirement of the -Würtemberger and the appointment of the Comte de Wintzingerode in his -stead. But the quarrel between the Princesse de Lichtenstein and the -Princesse Esterhazy is not so trivial. The one claims precedence over -the other in virtue of her husband being the most ancient prince of the -empire.’ - -‘It would be easy enough to settle that matter,’ was the reply from -the other side of the table. ‘Let them apply to those ladies the rule -adopted by the sovereigns; in other words, let age rule precedence, and -you may be sure that neither of them will want to go first.’ - -‘Here is a strange pendant to the adventure of the too conscientious -Vatel, whose disappointment and death have been immortalised by Mme. de -Sévigné. The _chef_ at Chantilly killed himself because the fish for -the dinner failed him; the Baron de ---- killed himself through having -eaten too much fish.’ - -‘What’s the good of joking about such a sad event?’ - -‘I am not joking, I am telling you the unvarnished truth. The poor -deceased was a slave to etiquette, and having partaken too freely of -some delicious fish, he felt thoroughly uncomfortable in consequence. -He was invited to make a fourth at a rubber of whist with the -Grand-Duke of Baden, a Princesse de C----, and his Majesty of Bavaria; -and in spite of his bodily and moral agony, he dared not refuse. But -the ordeal proved too much, and when concealment of the situation -was no longer possible he rushed away, went home, and shot himself. -Everybody regrets his death, because he was a general favorite.’[82] - -‘Your great diplomatist, this time in thorough agreement with the -majority of the plenipotentiaries, made another king yesterday,’ said -an opposite neighbour, addressing me directly. - -‘Is it Prince Eugène?’ I exclaimed spontaneously. - -‘Not exactly; it’s the cheese called “Brie.”’ - -‘You are trying to mystify me.’ - -‘I should not presume to do so on so slight an acquaintance, but I can -assure you that it is a fact. M. de Talleyrand gave a dinner party, -and at the dessert, all the political questions were pretty well -exhausted. When the cheese was on the table, the conversation drifted -in the direction of that dainty. Lord Castlereagh was loud in praise -of Stilton; Aldini was equally loud in praise of the Strachino of -Milan; Zeltner naturally gave battle for his native Gruyère, and Baron -de Falck, the Dutch minister, could not say enough for the product -of Limburg, of which Peter the Great was so fond as to dole himself -a certain quantity measured with his compasses, lest he should take -too much. Talleyrand’s guests were as undecided as they are on the -question of the throne of Naples, which, according to some, will be -taken from Murat, while, according to others, he’ll be allowed to keep -it. At that moment a servant entered the room to inform the ambassador -of the arrival of a courier from France. “What has he brought?” asked -Talleyrand. “Despatches from the Court, your excellency, and Brie -cheeses.” “Send the despatches to the chancellerie, and bring in the -cheeses at once.” - -‘The cheese was brought in. “Gentlemen,” said M. de Talleyrand, “I -abstained just now from breaking a lance in favour of a product of the -French soil, but I leave you to judge for yourselves.” The cheese is -handed round, tasted, and the question of its superiority is put to the -vote, with the result I have told you: Brie is proclaimed to be the -king of cheeses.’ - -The clever little story was the last, and the company dispersed. -Griffiths and I were due at the Baron Arnstein’s, who gave a fête in -his magnificent mansion on the Melgrub. - -At that period, the principal Austrian bankers would not be behindhand -with the Court in their hospitality to the illustrious strangers at -the Congress. Of course, the enormous influx of these brought into -the bankers’ hands large sums of money, a considerable percentage of -which remained with them. Among those princely houses of finance there -were, besides Baron Arnstein, the Gey-Mullers, the Eskeleses, and the -Comte de Fries. They practically kept open house to strangers. The -splendour of their hospitality was only equalled by its cordiality. The -mansion of the Comte de Fries, on the Joseph-Platz, was one of the most -beautiful in Vienna, and in no way inferior to the most magnificent -palaces. Its owner himself was as famed for his personal elegance -and his charming manners as for his immense wealth. The fêtes that -were given in those mansions were remarkable even among those of the -Congress; and on the evening in question, the scene at Baron Arnstein’s -was positively fairy-like. The rarest flowers from every clime hung in -profusion about the staircases and the rooms, including the ball-room, -and spread their exquisite perfumes, while their tints mingled -harmoniously with the thousands of wax candles in crystal sconces, -and the silk and gold of the hangings. The music of a band such as at -that time only Vienna could produce fell gratefully upon the ear. In -short, the whole presented one of those incomparable results only to be -obtained by great wealth seconded by taste. - -The best society of Vienna had forgathered there: all the influential -personages of the Congress, all the strangers of distinction, all the -heads of the princely houses made a point of being present; only the -sovereigns themselves were absent. As a matter of course, all the -charming women of which Vienna boasted at that period had responded -to the invitation, and among these aristocratic beauties the hostess -herself, the Baronne Fanny d’Arnstein, and Mme. Gey-Muller, whom people -had named ‘la fille de l’air,’ on account of her ethereal face and -tall, slight figure, carried off the palm for attractiveness. - -The entertainment began with a concert by the foremost artists of -Vienna; the concert was followed by a ball, and the ball by a supper, -in the providing for which the host seemed to have made it a point -to defy both distance and season. He had positively brought together -the products of every country and of every climate. The supper rooms -were decorated with trees bearing ripe fruit, and it was really a -curious experience, in the middle of the winter, to watch people pluck -cherries, peaches, and apricots as in an orchard in Provence. It was -the first attempt of the kind that had ever been made, and we went -home, less astonished perhaps at the ingenuity displayed than at the -constant craving for the entirely unprecedented in the way of enjoyment. - -The palace of Prince Razumowski was blazing with light; every room was -crowded with guests. Emperor Alexander had borrowed his ambassador’s -residence for a fête offered to the sovereigns in honour of his -sister’s birthday. The utmost interest was always evinced in the -charming Catherine of Oldenburg, and perhaps the more because the -Prince Royal of Würtemberg was constantly by her side. At every -gathering, these two young people, rarely far apart, reminded one of -the couple figuring so conspicuously in the opening pages of Mme. de -Genlis’s novel _Mademoiselle de Clermont_. - -[Illustration: MARIE DOWAGER EMPRESS OF RUSSIA.] - -Love unquestionably owed a good turn to this sweet, pretty, and -graceful young woman, to indemnify her for the very unpleasant -episodes of her first marriage. In 1809, there had been a question -of an alliance between France and Russia, an alliance which would -have consolidated peace in Europe. The young sister of the Czar was -to be the pledge of that alliance. Napoleon, who at that period was -justified in looking upon Alexander as a friend, caused diplomatic -overtures to be made. The Russian monarch freely gave his consent,[83] -but all at once a hitherto unthought-of obstacle arose, in the shape -of the invincible repugnance of the dowager-empress to Napoleon, a -repugnance that ought to have been removed by Napoleon’s magnanimous -conduct to her son. When Alexander wished to sound his mother on that -marriage by evincing a kind of partiality for it, she replied that it -was henceforth out of the question, that two days previously she had -given her word to the Grand-Duke of Oldenburg, to whom Catherine’s hand -was promised. Alexander was a most respectful and submissive son. He -offered no objections; negotiations were broken off; the marriage of -Napoleon with an Austrian arch-duchess was concluded, and there was a -prospective sovereign for the island of Elba. - -Sacrificed to a feeling of political repugnance, Catherine became -Grand-Duchess of Oldenburg and established her Court at Tiver, a pretty -town between Moscow and St. Petersburg--a small Court, recalling -those of Ferrara and Florence during the most brilliant days of -their artistic glory. Art, however, does not invariably contribute -to a woman’s happiness. United to a man whom she could not love, the -grand-duchess fretted under her lot. At first people sympathised with -her, finally they took no heed of, or became used to, her grief. Then, -as if to realise sweeter dreams, came on the one hand the death of her -husband, and on the other the love of a prince, young, handsome, brave, -and amiable--a prince placed on the steps of a throne. - -By a strange coincidence, the Prince Royal of Würtemberg had been -similarly compelled to contract a marriage against his inclination. -Napoleon’s will, all-powerful at that time over the king’s mind, united -the son, in spite of himself, to a Bavarian princess, a political -alliance intended to make an end of all dissensions between the two -states. From the first day of their union an unconquerable estrangement -and a constant coolness had sprung up between the young couple, and -consequently, at the fall of Napoleon, they were divorced. The Princess -Charlotte of Bavaria returned to her father’s Court. Unappreciated by a -husband whose affection she had been unable to gain, she never uttered -a word of reproach; her angelic temper and her unalterable kindness -never failed her. Later on, the imperial crown of Austria was offered -to her,[84] and eventually she shared one of the most powerful thrones -of Europe. When her first husband learnt the news of the unexpected -elevation of the woman he had neglected, but whose noble heart he had -never misjudged, he exclaimed, ‘I’ll have, at any rate, one more friend -at the Court of Vienna.’ - -Catherine of Russia and Wilhelm of Würtemberg both became free. From -that moment a mutual and strong affection took possession of their -hearts, which, constrained so long by the will of others, had learnt to -appreciate the delights of natural attraction. How often in the shady -glades of the Prater, or on the banks of the majestic stream flowing -at its foot, have I seen them, emancipated for a little while from the -etiquette of Courts, and yielding like ordinary mortals to the feeling -that animated them. Far from the pomp and splendour of their ordinary -surroundings, they perhaps confidentially made plans for the future, -in the hope of a union which bade fair to be happy--the prince, young, -manly, with a noble disposition and reputed for his brilliant courage; -the grand-duchess conspicuous for her intellectual and physical grace. -Now and again a third came to interrupt this ‘dual solitude’; but his -presence evidently made no difference; for the third comer was not only -a brother, but a friend--no less a personage than Alexander himself, -who appeared to be supping full with glory and happiness. - -The fête given by the czar in honour of his charming sister was worthy -in every respect of his brotherly affection and of its object. All the -sovereigns, all the illustrious guests of the Congress, had repaired to -it, and with him had come all the Russians of distinction: Nesselrode, -Gagarine, Dolgorouki, Galitzin, Capo d’Istria, Narischkine, Souvaroff, -Troubetzkoy, the two Volkonskis, Princesses Souvaroff, Bagration, -Gagarine, and many others equally remarkable for their birth, wealth, -beauty, and their distinguished manners. Practically, I found myself -among all those magnificent Muscovite beings who had compelled my -admiration at Moscow, St. Petersburg, and at Tulczim, at the Comtesse -Potocka’s, where the year seemed to be made up of three hundred and -sixty-five fêtes. - -The rooms at Prince Razumowski’s were lighted with a profusion that -reminded one of the resplendent rays of the sun. A vast riding-school -had been converted into a ball-room; and to impart variety to the -entertainment, the _corps de ballet_ of the Imperial Theatre had -organised a Muscovite _divertissement_, the minutest details of which -were carried out with scrupulous exactness. Towards the middle of the -ball, they made their appearance dressed as gipsies, and performed -dances with which those supposed descendants of the Pharaohs enhance -the fêtes of the rich and sensuous boyards. These dances, in virtue of -their graceful movements and the picturesqueness of the postures, are, -according to that great traveller Griffiths, much superior to those of -the bayadères of India. - -The ball was opened by the inevitable and methodical polonaise. The -fête was, however, marked in particular by a Russian dance, by one of -the Court ladies of Empress Elizabeth and General Comte Orloff, one -of the aides-de-camp of Emperor Alexander.[85] Both wore the Russian -dress, the comte that of a young Muscovite, namely, a close-fitting -caftan, tied round the waist by a cashmere scarf, a broad-brimmed hat, -and gloves like those of the ancient knights; his partner was dressed -like the women of Southern Russia, whose costumes vie in richness with -those of all other nations. On her head, the hair arranged in flat -bands in front and falling in long plaits behind, she wore a tiara of -pearls and precious stones. The ornament harmonised perfectly with the -rest of the costume, composed, as usual, of exceedingly bright-coloured -material. - -This Russian dance is absolutely delightful, representing as it does -the pantomimic action of a somewhat impassioned courtship. It is like -the Galatea of Virgil. The performers acquitted themselves in the most -delightful manner, and were amply rewarded by the enthusiastic applause -of the spectators. - -The Russian dance was followed by mazurkas, a kind of quadrille, -originally hailing from Massow. Among ball-room dances none demand -greater agility and none lend themselves to more statuesque movements. -In order that nothing might be wanting to the magnificence of this -fête, there was, in accordance with the latest fashion in Vienna, a -lottery. The prizes were many and handsome to a degree. An apparently -trivial circumstance lent an unexpected interest to the proceedings. -Custom had decreed that each cavalier, if favoured by luck, should -offer his prize to a lady. A rich sable cape fell to the lot of the -Prince of Würtemberg: he immediately offered it to her in whose honour -the entertainment was given. Verily, he had his reward. Handsome -Grand-Duchess Catherine wore in her bosom a posy of flowers, fastened -by a ribbon. She unfastened it, and presented it to the donor of the -cape. The whole scene, which practically emphasised in public the -existence of a quasi-secret attachment, elicited murmurs of approval -and wishes for the young people’s happiness. ‘Hail to the future Queen -of Würtemberg,’ remarked Prince Koslowski to me; ‘queen when it shall -please the crowned Nimrod to vacate the place. In reality, no crown -will have ever graced a more beautiful brow.’ The episode, and the -conjectures to which it gave rise, added another charm to this fête -marked by so many. - -The dancing had ceased, and the prince and I strolled through the -vast rooms of the palace, which might easily have been mistaken for -a temple erected to art, so numerous were the masterpieces collected -there by its owner. Here pictures by the greatest painters of every -school: Raphaels by the side of Rubenses, Van Dycks in juxtaposition to -Correggios; there, a library filled to overflowing with most precious -books and rare manuscripts; in a third spot a cabinet containing most -exquisite specimens of ancient art and modern carving. The majority -of the guests, however, seemed to prefer a gallery set apart for the -marvels of the sculptor’s chisel, among which was some of the best -handiwork of Canova. The gallery was lighted by alabaster lamps, the -soft glow of which seemed to throw into relief the perfection of those -statues apparently endowed with life. - -About two in the morning they threw open the huge supper-room, lighted -by thousands of wax candles. It contained fifty tables, and by that -alone the number of guests might be estimated. Amidst banks of flowers -was displayed all that Italy, Germany, France, and Russia had to offer -in the way of rare fruit and other edibles: such as sturgeon from -the Volga, oysters from Ostend and Cancale, truffles from Périgord, -oranges from Sicily. Worthy of note was a pyramid of pine-apples, -such as had never before been served on any board, and which had come -direct from the imperial hothouses at Moscow for the czar’s guests. -There were strawberries all the way from England, grapes from France, -looking as if they had just been cut from the trailing vine. Still -more remarkable, on each of the fifty tables there stood a dish of -cherries, despatched from St. Petersburg, notwithstanding the December -cold, but at the cost of a silver rouble apiece. Regarding these events -many years after their occurrence, I am often tempted to mistrust to a -certain extent my recollections of all this lavish display. - -This fête, which really deserved precedence among all the daily -pomp and splendour of the Congress, was prolonged till dawn, when a -breakfast was served and dancing was resumed. Only the need of rest -made us regretfully bend our steps homeward and leave that magnificent -palace where so many fair women and brave men had forgathered in the -pursuit of pleasure. - -Many years have gone by since that memorable night. The charming woman -in whose honour the fête was given became the Queen of Würtemberg. -Death claimed her prematurely as his victim. The Prince Koslowski, who -had been, like myself, an eye-witness of that charming love-episode -at Vienna, and who was subsequently despatched as ambassador to her -Court, saw her die of the same disease that carried away her brother, -the emperor. And only a short time ago the son of Marie-Louise and the -Comte de Neipperg[86] married the daughter of this Catherine of Russia -who had been asked in marriage by Napoleon. How very truly Shakespeare -exclaims: ‘There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are -dreamt of in your philosophy.’ - -As for me, when my thoughts go back to that period of happiness and -freedom from care called the Congress of Vienna, I always picture to -myself sweet Catherine, not amidst all those fêtes, but strolling in -the dusky glades of the Prater, where I so often saw her, proud of her -love for the Prince Royal of Würtemberg and of her tender affection for -her brother. - - - - -CHAPTER XI - - The Last Love-Tryst of the Prince de Ligne--A Glance at the Past - --Z----or the Consequences of Gaming--Gambling in Poland - and in Russia--The Biter Bit--Masked Ball--The Prince - de Ligne and a Domino--More Living Pictures--The Pasha of - Surêne--Two Masked Ladies--Recollections of the Prince de - Talleyrand. - - -I had spent the evening at the theatre of the Carinthian Gate, and -was returning home by way of the ramparts, confident of meeting no -one whom I knew; for on that night, in spite of the many strangers in -Vienna and the multitude of fêtes, everything was unusually quiet long -before midnight. It was magnificent weather for the time of the year. -In the recess of a bastion jutting over the dry moat, I noticed a lank -figure wrapped in a white cloak, which might easily have passed for -that of Hamlet. Impelled by curiosity, I drew nearer, and to my utter -astonishment recognised the Prince de Ligne. - -‘What in Heaven’s name are you doing here, prince, at this hour of the -night and in the biting cold?’ - -‘In love affairs the beginning only is delightful; consequently, I -always find great delight in recommencing. At your age, though, it was -I who kept them waiting; at mine they keep me waiting; and, what’s -worse, they don’t come. - -‘I am keeping an appointment, but as you can see for yourself, I am -keeping it alone. Well, people forgive hunchbacks the exuberance of -their dorsal excrescence; why, at my age, should not people forgive my -exuberance?’ - -‘If it be true that woman’s happiness consists in the reflection of a -man’s glory, where is the woman who would not be proud to owe hers to -you?’ - -The prince shook his head, and declaimed mock-tragically: - - ‘“No, no; all things flee as age approaches, - All things go, illusion too: - Nature would have done much better - To keep that until the last.”’ - -‘I’ll leave you to your appointment, prince,’ I said. - -‘No, I’ll wait no longer; lend me your arm and take me home.’ - -We slowly went in the direction of his house, and on the way his -conversation betrayed the feeling of slighted pride; his words were -marked by a tinge of melancholy which was new to me. - -‘I am inclined to believe that in life reflection comes as a last -misfortune,’ he said. ‘Up to the present I have not been among those -who think that growing old is in itself a merit. At the dawn of life -love’s dream balances its illusions on the spring within us. One -carries the cup of pleasure to one’s lips; one imagines it’s going to -last for ever, but years come, time flies and delivers its Parthian -darts; from that moment disenchantment attends everything, the colours -fade out of one’s existence. Ah me, I must get used to the idea.’ - -‘But, prince, you attach too much importance to a trifling -disappointment. You must put it down to the exactions of society, which -those who are in it cannot always disregard.’ - -‘No, no, there’s an end of my illusions; everything warns me of the -years accumulating behind me. I am no longer considered good for -anything. In days gone by, at Versailles, I was consulted on this, -that, and the other, on balls, fêtes, theatres, and so forth. At -present my advice is dispensed with. My time is past, _my world_ is -dead. You’ll tell me that no man is a prophet in his own country. A -company of comedians has invaded the stage to drive me from it, or to -hiss should I persist in remaining. My prophecies miss fire on account -of the prophet’s age. Tell me honestly, what is the worth of young men -nowadays to justify the world in lavishing its favours on them? Envy -has never entered my heart until this moment.’ Then he harked back to -his past, impelled by the kind of melancholy pleasure we all experience -in retracing our road through life, even if it is beset with thorns. - -‘I had an intense admiration and passionate love for the science of -warfare,’ he added, ‘and I may safely say that from the day I joined -the regiment of dragoons from Ligne, I have won all my grades at the -point of my sword. That science has been the occupation of my life; my -labours have gained me many sterling friends. As a soldier and as a -general I have done my duty.’ - -‘History will forget neither the taking of Belgrade nor the battle -of Maxen, and your glorious share in both. It will also remember the -brilliant welcome you received at Versailles when Maria-Theresa sent -you thither bearing the news.’ - -‘Yes, these are memories of which no one will be able to deprive me, -and henceforth I’ll exclusively wrap myself up in them. When the body -threatens ruin, memory alone supports the structure, but merely as a -hint of our being still alive. To my last moments, as a compensation -for the vicissitudes of my own existence I shall be proud of having -been on terms of intimate friendship with men upon whom the eyes of -the universe were fixed. I may confess to having always been fond of -glory; indifference to it is a mere pretence. Well, every succeeding -day I become more and more convinced of the emptiness of what people -conventionally call celebrity.’ Then he drifted to the happy moments of -his life. - -‘I have also passed through that delicious period of life when youth -gets intoxicated with all kinds of flattering promises, which a riper -age rarely keeps, and which old age altogether disperses. At that -period, days fly like moments, and the moments are worth centuries. -Happy he who knows how to profit by them! Life is a limpid cup which -becomes troubled while one drinks from it; the first drops are like -ambrosia; but the lees are at the bottom; the more agitated one’s life -is, the more bitter does the draught become at last. The loss, when all -is said and done, is perhaps not so great. Man gets to his grave as the -absent-minded get to their house. Here’s the door of mine. Good-night, -my dear lad. You, who are beginning your career, take care to employ -every minute to the greatest advantage, and don’t forget that the -saddest days of our lives are counted in the tale of our years just as -much as the happiest. Delille was right when he said, “Our best days go -first.”’ - -And I took my leave of this excellent prince, of this extraordinary -man, whose only weakness consisted in not making his pleasures fit in -with his age, and in persisting in keeping up a struggle with time, -that invincible athlete whom, as yet, no one has conquered. Alas, he -believed in the fable of Anacreon, whose love-affairs still provided -wreaths of roses for his hoary locks at eighty. - -This love-tryst of the Prince de Ligne was to be his last. When he -talked thus of man’s arriving at the brink of the grave without -thinking of it, he was far from perceiving that he himself already had -one foot therein. Since then I have often reflected on the melancholy -sadness of all his words, but the Prince de Ligne never seriously -considered the idea of death. Not that he was afraid of it. At no time -of his life did fear approach within an arm’s length of him. If now and -again he spoke of old age with a kind of melancholy, it was because he -dreaded the idea of not being in unison with the new generations around -him, as he had been in unison with the friends of his youth. Thinking -of all this, I continued my nocturnal stroll by myself, repeating the -verses the prince had improvised on the subject, and I reached the -hotel, the ‘Roman Emperor,’ just as the Comte Z---- was going in. To -dispel the sad thoughts induced by the prince’s remarks, I accepted -Count Z----‘s offer of a glass of punch and accompanied him to his -apartments. - -Z----,[87] the son of a favourite minister of Catherine II., had -recently lost his father, who left him a considerable fortune, -estimated at more than thirty thousand serfs. I had seen a great deal -of him while I was in St. Petersburg, where his birth, his gentle -disposition, and his extensive attainments, much beyond his years, had -made him a favourite in the highest circles. Having been appointed -only a short time before a ‘gentleman of the chambers,’ he proposed -to improve his education by travel, and he began at Vienna. It was -starting with a most interesting preface the book of life, which, as he -said, he wished to read from the first page to the last. - -‘I have spent the evening at Prince Razumowski’s, who, as you know, is -a relative. His palace is still littered with furniture, draperies, -and flowers, the remains of the brilliant fête. Truly, the ruins of a -ball are as interesting to contemplate as the ruins of monuments and -empires.’ - -I, in my turn, told him of my meeting, and, the punch gradually -dissipating my fit of melancholy, we began, like the selfish and -unthinking young men we were, to joke about old men who, with the -snows of many winters upon them, pretend to melt them in the sunny -rays of love. I told him the adventure of the Comte de Maurepas which -had so highly diverted the Court of Versailles at the period of his -last ministry. Like the Prince de Ligne, M. de Maurepas, at eighty, -had preserved the habits of extreme attentiveness to the fair sex -which ought only to be indulged in by young men. The witty and handsome -Marquise de ---- was the object of those octogenarian attentions. -Worried by Maurepas’ assiduities, to which there could be no possible -sequel, she determined to put an end to them. The superannuated -Lovelace was seated one day near her in her boudoir, and was commenting -upon his unhappiness, caused by the want of feeling of the woman -he adored. The marquise appeared touched by the recital; the lover -became more pressing, the marquise apparently more yielding. At last -she murmured a faint consent, adding, however, ‘First go and bolt the -door.’ Maurepas went to bolt it, not on the inside, but on the outside, -and stole away on tiptoe without saying good-bye to the malicious fair -one. The _dénouement_ met with our full approval. - -I was expecting next morning two Hungarian horses, which I had been -assured were the best trotters in Vienna. Being anxious to try them at -once, I asked Z---- if he would come with me to the Prater to do so. He -promised. While talking about trotters, none of which in Europe come -up, to my thinking, to those harnessed to the sledges at Moscow for the -runs on the frozen Moskowa, the comte got into bed, being tired by the -mazurkas in which he had the night before been compelled to initiate -some German ladies, who experienced great difficulties in their -transition from the stiff German minuet to the graceful elasticity of -the Polish dance. - -‘Good-night, comte, I’ll leave you to your well-earned rest. I’ll put -the lights out, and give one candle to your servant, I hope you’ll -have a good sleep, so that you may be ready to-morrow at twelve.’ With -this I left him. Next morning at twelve the horses were put to the -cabriolet, and I went upstairs to fetch Z----; but when I got to his -door, his servant told me he was asleep. ‘What! asleep at twelve, when -he went to bed before midnight. I think I’ll wake him,’ I said, and -made my way into the room, where the curtains were drawn to exclude the -daylight. - -‘Up, up!’ I shouted, ‘the horses are waiting for us. Or are you ill?’ - -He woke up, sat upright in bed, and began to rub his eyes, as if to -suppress his tears. ‘My dear father; why have I lost my father?’ he -exclaimed. - -‘Have you had a nightmare, dear comte? What has the memory of your -father to do with the horses we are going to try?’ - -‘Alas, my friend, it’s not a dream, but a horrible reality. I lost two -millions of roubles last night.’ - -‘Are you mad or joking? You are in bed as I left you when I put out the -lights. Do you walk in your sleep, or are you not awake?’ - -‘No, friend, but I’m awaking from a sleep which I wish had been my last -one. S---- and the Comte B---- entered the room immediately after you -left it. They relighted the candles which you extinguished: we played -all night, and I have lost two millions of roubles, for which I gave -them my bills. Here, look for yourself.’ - -I stepped to the window and drew the curtains aside: the floor was -littered with cards, which they must have got in the hotel, and the -ruin of the young fellow had been accomplished before daylight. - -‘This can only be a joke on their part, dear comte; make your mind -easy. They could not possibly harbour the thought of despoiling a -friend in that manner. They are also my friends, although I should -certainly cease to consider them as such if they hesitated for a moment -to destroy every trace of such a disgraceful night.’ Having said this, -I immediately left him, to go to S----, to whom I submitted the same -argument in order to persuade him to waive his claim. I said much more; -I pointed out the consequences to himself if such a story came to the -ears of the Emperor Alexander. Referring to the sovereign’s well-known -dislike of any kind of gaming, I did not disguise from him the -possibility of the emperor taking up the matter personally, with a view -of preventing such deplorable transactions in the future, and that he, -S----, might be selected, not without some justification, as an example -for the sake of enforcing the lesson. All my efforts to bring him to -reason and to arouse a feeling of equity were in vain. He positively -derided what he was pleased to call my sentimental pathos, and ended -up by proposing a game for my cabriolet and horses, so that I might be -enabled to preach from experience. I felt disgusted, and left him. - -From the military man I proceeded to the diplomatist, who proved to -be much more frigid than the other. With many fine phrases he tried -to convince me that it was not disloyal or dishonourable to wake up -a young man of twenty-one at midnight in order to despoil him of his -fortune in a couple of hours. - -‘Is it worth while to make so much ado about the loss of a few -_boumashkis-boumashkis?_‘--being the name of Russian paper money--he -said. ‘We have only to look around us to find the same thing going on -every day in another shape. You have merely to count the claimants to -thrones they lost because the game went against them. Do you think -people pay any heed to them? You may have noticed a gentleman who left -when you came in. That’s the Marquis de Brignoli. He came to Vienna to -claim the independence of Genoa. The ambassador of a republic which -is at its last gasp, he has treated the Congress to a most energetic -protest, which you may read if you like, for I have it here. In spite -of his logic, M. de Metternich politely bowed him out, and Genoa is to -be given to Piedmont, which has won it, and means to keep it. Venice -disappears in spite of its ancient wisdom. Is it being swallowed up -by the Adriatic? Not at all. It’s Austria that has won it, and means -to keep it. Malta only claims from the Congress its rock and arms to -defend itself against all comers: England, it is told, has won it, and -means to keep it. Prussia gains Saxony; Sweden gains Norway; Russia -gains Poland. Europe in Vienna sits round a table covered with a green -cloth; she is gambling for states, and a cast of the diplomatic dice -involves the loss or the gain of a hundred thousand, nay, of a million, -of heads.[88] Why should not I win a few bits of paper when luck -favours me?’ - -‘But from your friend, Monsieur le Comte?’ - -‘They are very scrupulous about relatives here, not to say about -friends, when it comes to the appropriation of thrones, aren’t they. -No, no, all this is so much nonsense. Figaro resolved the problem long -ago: “What’s worth taking, is worth keeping.”’ - -What answer could I make to such maxims, except to treat them with -contempt? I left him and went back to Z---- to inform him of the -failure of my efforts. - -‘I felt certain it would be so,’ he said. ‘The sting of a serpent is -less cruel than the ingratitude of a friend. There is but one way with -people like this, and I’ll employ it.’ - -He was quite himself now; he dressed and went out to call upon the -grand-chamberlain, Narischkine, who was his superior in virtue of -his Court charge. He intended to inform him of the disaster that had -befallen him, and the means he meant to use for redress. He would not -allow me to go with him; and I tried my horses by myself. I could have -wished them, in their rapid course, to carry me right away from the -painful impressions of the last few hours. - -Such episodes were by no means rare in Russia and in Poland. The fatal -passion of gambling was carried to excess. It had become a frenzy, a -positive madness. Russian and Polish society teemed with victims, the -whole of whose fortunes had been lost at the gaming table in a dozen -hours. - -I remember that after Potocki’s death at Tulczim, the children of his -first marriage came into possession of his immense fortune. Two of -these, educated at Leipzig, received during the life of their father -only a few ducats per week for pocket-money. The moment they were the -masters of their inheritance, they went headlong into all the excesses -of gaming, and the elder of the two lost thirty millions of florins in -three years by playing at faro with his own land-stewards. A short time -after that his friend, M. de Fontenay, who had clung to him through -good and evil fortune, had to borrow a hundred louis to have him buried -at Aix-la-Chapelle, where he died. - -Sometimes the incidents of those terrible gaming parties presented the -most wonderful reversals of luck. Here is an instance. Prince Galitzin, -one of the richest of Russian nobles, was playing on one occasion with -the most persistent bad luck. Estates, serfs, revenues, town-houses, -furniture, jewels, everything had been swallowed up. He had nothing -left but his carriage. That was waiting for him outside; he staked it, -and lost that in a few throws of the dice. A few minutes afterwards the -horses were also gone. ‘I did not stake the harness,’ he said; ‘it is -all in silver, and has just come from St. Petersburg.’ - -His adversary nodded, and a game was begun for the harness. At -that moment, though, the luck turned as completely in the Prince’s -favour as a few moments previously it had been against him. In a few -hours he not only won back the horses, the carriage, and the family -jewels, but everything else he had lost so rapidly, and that, thanks -to the harness, which literally seemed to be attached to the wheel -of fortune. It is absolutely astounding to find that men are not -positively shattered by those shocks of fortune. Galitzin was not -ungrateful in his worship of the harness. In his palace at Moscow I -have looked at it--in fact, it was pointed out to me, suspended in the -most conspicuous spot of the building, and protected from the tiniest -speck of dust by a framework of glass, like a precious relic, and as a -tangible proof of the strange vicissitudes of gaming. - -During my stay in Russia, that same Prince Galitzin was the victim -of probably the cleverest piece of fraud ever perpetrated, in which -his luck forsook him. He was a great amateur of diamonds and precious -stones, and also claimed to be a judge. One day, in the card-room of -the English club at Moscow, he noticed an Italian wearing a ring with a -diamond of the first water, and of extraordinary size. The prince went -up to the wearer of this magnificent jewel, and asked to be allowed to -look at it. ‘And you also, prince, are taken in by it,’ replied the -Italian. ‘What looks to you like a diamond is only a bit of paste, very -beautiful paste, but after all, paste.’ - -The prince shook his head. ‘No paste ever sparkled like that. Will you -mind confiding it to me for a few hours?’ he asked. ‘I wish to show it -to the emperor’s jeweller, in order to prove to him the rare degree of -perfection imitation can attain.’ - -The Italian made not the least difficulty in granting the request. The -prince ran to the jeweller to ask him the value of the magnificent -single stone. The dealer examined, weighed, and tested the thing, -admitting that he had rarely seen so perfect a specimen of petrified -carbon. ‘But it’s a bit of paste,’ exclaimed the prince with glee. The -dealer examined and weighed again, subjected the stone to more tests, -and finally pronounced the gem to be a diamond, a diamond of the first -water, which in the trade would fetch at the lowest estimate a hundred -thousand roubles, and for which he, if it was to be disposed of, would -be willing to give eighty thousand. Galitzin makes the dealer repeat -his words again and again, and finally returns to the card-room, where -the Italian is engaged in a quiet game of piquet. The prince gives him -his ring, asking him to sell it; to which the Italian replies that he -is not in want of money, and that in any case the ring has not the -slightest value. Galitzin will not take no for an answer, but cannot -get the Italian to budge. He sets great store by the bauble, not -because of its worth, because it has none, but for the associations -attached to it, inasmuch as his mother gave it to him, exacting his -promise never to part with it. Seduced by the prospect of an enormous -bargain, Galitzin would take no refusal, offered ten thousand roubles, -increased his offer to thirty thousand, and finally proposed fifty -thousand.’ - -‘Very well, prince,’ said the Italian, as if weary of the struggle, -‘fifty thousand be it then; and you, gentlemen--’ this, turning to the -lookers-on--‘you can bear witness that the prince compels me to sell -him for fifty thousand roubles a mere bit of paste.’ - -‘Never mind, give me the ring,’ exclaimed Galitzin impatiently; ‘I know -what I am doing.’ Thereupon the Italian took the ring off his finger -and handed it to the prince, who, delighted with his purchase, gave -him there and then a voucher for fifty thousand roubles, to be paid at -sight by his business-manager. An hour afterwards the money was in the -Italian’s pocket, and the next morning Galitzin repaired once more to -the jeweller’s, telling him of his success in obtaining the diamond, -and holding it up for his inspection. - -‘But this is only a bit of paste,’ exclaims the dealer; ‘a splendid bit -of paste, but after all, paste. It’s wonderful, though, how closely it -resembles the single stone you showed me yesterday. It’s the same size, -the same cut, the same shape. It’s calculated to deceive better judges -than your excellency.’ - -His consternation notwithstanding, Galitzin soon perceived that he had -been duped by an adroit scoundrel, who at the moment of handing him the -ring had cleverly substituted a paste imitation of it, but an imitation -calculated to impose upon all but the most expert. A hue-and-cry was -raised after the Italian in Moscow, but immediately after securing the -amount of his voucher, he had left. As for the prince, in addition to -the loss of his money, he had the mortification of being pitied by no -one; he was simply looked upon as ‘the biter bit.’ - -The affair of Z---- made a great noise in Vienna. The enormous amount -of his loss, the circumstances under which it was sustained, the -place itself of the gambling transaction, everything pointed to a -diabolically conceived combination, scarcely to be reconciled with the -age of the gamblers, the oldest of whom was only three-and-twenty. -The sequel fully confirmed my prediction to S----. Alexander had the -deepest aversion to gamblers and gambling. From that moment he withdrew -his favour from S----, and eight months afterwards in Paris, in the -private room of the Emperor at the Elysée Bourbon, S---- was forced -to admit that he would willingly part with half of his fortune if the -affair had never occurred, or if he had taken my advice about hushing -it up. - -Z---- and the Comte B---- fought a duel with swords, in which the -latter was worsted, and the sum paid in settlement of his winnings was -comparatively a modest one. The Emperor Alexander would neither forgive -nor forget the affair. A few years later the young comte, knowing -that in Russia it is not sufficient to be somebody, but that it is -necessary to be also something, wrote to the emperor to be attached to -the legation at Florence; but Alexander sent a refusal in the following -terms: - -‘In consideration of the services rendered to our august mother by the -Comte B----, your father, I excuse the glaring presumption of your -request.’ - -Under the painful impression of that scene in the morning, I spent a -sad day, full of depressing thoughts. The rapid ruin of Z----, the -callousness of his two adversaries, the inevitable consequences of such -a startling affair, did not make me feel disposed to enjoy any of the -daily gaieties of the Congress. The arrival of Ypsilanti put an end to -my serious mood. He came to take me to the masked ball given by the -Court in the small hall set apart for routs, which was to be preceded -by ‘living pictures.’ I at first refused, but was finally persuaded to -accompany him. - -The entertainment differed but little from similar ones that had gone -before; at that period there was one almost every week. After a few -turns through the magnificent rooms, which, as usual, afforded the most -complete and animated example of everything that wealth could procure -and the constant craving for pleasure could relish, we went into -the room arranged for ‘the living pictures.’ In the front rows, the -emperors, the sovereigns, and queens, had already taken their seats; -behind them were the political celebrities of the Congress. In a few -minutes the curtain rose. - -The first picture was ‘la Conversation Espagnole,’ and the second -‘la Famille de Darius aux pieds d’Alexandre,’ after the handsome -painting of Lebrun. The Comte de Schönfeldt represented Alexander, -and the charming Sophie Zichy impersonated Statira. The features -of the male character were stamped with the gentle pride of the -victor, still further tempered by the kindness and modesty of the -hero; the comtesse, even more beautiful than the figure of Lebrun’s -painting, expressed both admiration and grief. The youngest and most -charming women of the Court represented the daughters of Darius and -the attendants of Statira. The heroic and touching expression of the -principal personages, the numerous delightful figures, the fidelity -of the attitudes, the arrangement of the light--in short, everything -gave to the picture a completeness both elevated and sensuous, and it -was not surprising to hear it unanimously applauded. It was followed -by a performance of the sparkling comedy _Le Pacha de Surêne_, by M. -Etienne. The principal parts were played by the Comtesses Zichy and -Marassi, the Princesses Marie de Metternich and Thérèse Esterhazy, -the Comte de Wallstein, the Prince Antoine Radziwill, and a few other -distinguished personages. This pretty piece, interpreted with the -ability of experienced actors, was greatly applauded. - -After that we went to the ball-room. One of the first persons that -caught my eye on entering was the Prince de Ligne. He was beaming with -happiness, and his step was as elastic and graceful as that of any -young man. It was not the same man who had confided his griefs to me -on the previous night. On his arm hung a woman in a blue domino. Her -figure, her voice, and the whole of her bearing fully explained the -disappointment and regret of the prince at finding himself alone at the -love-tryst. I brushed gently past him, and whispered in his ear: ‘It -appears that you were lacking in patience last night.’ ‘You are right,’ -was the answer. ‘The great art of life is the exercise of patience.’ - -I went away, but I fancied I recognised the prince’s companion. It -was, unless I made a mistake, Mme. A---- P----, the young and charming -Greek, who was attracting so much attention in Vienna. An unhappy -love affair, of which the Prince de C---- was the hero, had aroused -the interest of the fair and most impressionable half of the Austrian -aristocracy; her great beauty had easily obtained for her many friends -among the other half of the European celebrities. Her romantic story, -which was told in whispers, was simple and touching. Having fallen a -victim to the Prince de C----‘s blandishments when she was still very -young, she almost immediately became a mother. Both her existence -and her heart were broken by desertion. There was no lack of would-be -consolers; but doubtless her experience had taught her that a first -lapse is only condoned on condition of its not being repeated. Unable -to dispense with a protector, she judiciously chose the Prince de -Ligne, whose great age, she probably thought, would silence all adverse -comment. The liaison, it was said, remained strictly within the limits -of a platonic correspondence; the young Greek contributing her share -by epistles such as all women of all countries and conditions know how -to write; the illustrious old man replying with effusions of which he -alone had preserved the secret. The latter contained the expression of -a sentiment more intense, perhaps, than that of mere friendship, but -tempered by the gentle logic of a wholly paternal affection. - -Contrary to the invariable etiquette prevailing at state balls, where -only the polonaise was danced, quadrilles were speedily organised. A -few moments later I caught sight once more of the Prince de Ligne, but -this time he was alone. As a matter of course, I went up to him. ‘Just -watch that pretty bayadère figuring in the quadrille close to us,’ he -said. ‘Would you not take her for one of the most tantalizing girls -at the ball? Well, before she had spoken three words I guessed her -identity. It’s young Alfred, the Comte de Woyna’s brother.’ - -‘A young man, prince?’ - -‘A young man dressed as a girl. There’s nothing surprising in that. -Your celebrated dancer Duport came all the way from Paris to Vienna in -woman’s clothes. He alighted from his post-chaise at the Princesse Jean -de Lichtenstein’s, where he danced the whole of the evening, still in -woman’s clothes, and to the admiration of that circle of admirers, all -of whom went to applaud him next evening at the theatre at the Court, -where, still in female attire, he danced in the ballet of _Achille à -Scyros_. Look you here, my boy: there are disguises elsewhere than at -routs, and inasmuch as you have taken to collect the trifles I wrote -during the spring of my life, as well as in its fall, I’ll read you -to-morrow one of the transgressions of my youth, entitled, _Le Roman -d’une Nuit_. Only my extreme youth can be the excuse for that.’ - -He referred once more to society; to the society he had bitterly -stigmatised as ungrateful. ‘I shall always consider myself fortunate -in having been a witness of that unique spectacle, the Congress. In -that varied crowd I look upon each individual as a separate page of the -great book of society. Believe me, man is not as bad as he is painted. -Woe to the misanthropic moralists who care to look only at the sombre -side of him. They are the painters who only study nature at night.’ - -Amidst this boisterous, bustling throng, where people looked for their -friends without finding them, though they might be elbowing each other, -two female dominos came up to me and drew me away from the prince. One -took my hand. ‘Why were you in such a hurry to leave us?’ she asked. -The voice, which sounded altogether natural, was entirely unfamiliar -to me. ‘When a man addresses verses to a woman,’ she went on, ‘he -assuredly does not expect her to travel three hundred leagues for the -sake of thanking the author.’ - -‘Gentle mask, Vienna is three hundred leagues from Paris, an equal -distance from Naples, and as much from St. Petersburg, and in all -these places I have unfortunately addressed verses to ladies. I must -therefore ask you to be more explicit, for unless you are, I shall be -travelling a long while in search of my unknown heroine.’ - -‘Very well, let us say it was at St. Petersburg, and that Lafont set -them to music.’ - -‘In that case I should not be sufficiently conceited to aspire to -thanks from the object of my poetry.’ - -‘Why not, if the verses bestowed caused pleasure?’ - -‘Or,’ added her companion, who had hitherto been silent, ‘if the proof -of the pleasure is the thanks offered.’ - -It has been said with truth that the whole destiny of a life is decided -in an instant. I immediately recognised the voice, which I had only -heard once before. The strange and brilliant dream of a night was about -to be reproduced a second time with all its former illusions. I did not -know what to say; the liberty of speech, tacitly admitted under cover -of a mask, only added to my confusion. ‘Have you nothing to say?’ asked -the same voice. ‘Sweet mask,’ I replied, ‘the timid bird may sing at -sunrise, only the eagle dare fixedly look at the sun in its zenith.’ - -Thereupon I endeavoured to get my two interlocutors out of the crowd, -in order to be more free in the interview, which I felt was to decide -the whole of my life, but Grand-Chamberlain Narischkine came up to -us, recognised the ladies, took their arms and led them away. I had -no longer any doubt. I had met once more the angel of a dream the -realisation of which would not occur on earth. - -I remained rooted to the spot, then rushed after the dominos like a -madman. I saw nothing, I heard nothing except the magic words that had -gone to the core of my heart. My pursuit was in vain, the crowd had -parted us for evermore. - -In one of the quadrangular rooms I came upon the Prince Cariati talking -very animatedly to a lady disguised as a gipsy, who immediately -revealed her _incognita_. It was the Comtesse Zamoyska, our neighbour -on the Jaeger Zeill. - -‘I wish you to join our plot,’ she said; ‘it ‘s a complicated piece of -mystification, the sequel to an intrigue begun at one of these balls, -which has lasted now for several weeks. The personage I wish to mystify -is worthy of my attempt.’ Without knowing or caring much what I did, I -fell in with the wish of the comtesse, who left us, laughing. - -I was getting weary of it all, when I noticed my friend M. Achille -Rouen occupying a rout seat all by himself, and apparently as bored as -I was. I asked him if he had seen the dominos of whom I was in search. -‘If you mean the two who were with Narischkine,’ he replied, giving me -an exact description of them, ‘they left the ball a quarter of an hour -ago.’ - -From that moment the charm of the evening seemed to have vanished, as -far as I was concerned. We began chatting about the Congress and the -current news, and as a matter of course the name of M. de Talleyrand -cropped up. No other name was so often mentioned in people’s comments -on the difficult and critical questions of the moment. Achille Rouen, -who never missed a day without seeing him, was sincerely attached to -him. - -‘It’s impossible to know M. de Talleyrand thoroughly without liking -him,’ he said. ‘All those who have come in close contact with him judge -him as I do. He is an inexplicable, I might say indefinable, amalgam -of simplicity and lofty thoughts, of grace and logic, of critical -faculty and courteous tolerance. In one’s intercourse with him, one -learns almost unconsciously the history and politics of all times, and -thousands of stories in connection with every Court; his company is -practically a guide through an enormous gallery, where events are as -instructively depicted as personages.’ - -‘And in spite of this, my dear Achille, how people have rent him to -pieces! Is mediocrity always to exact such a heavy toll from talent for -the latter’s success? For, if such be the case, the only happy people -are those whose obscurity does not breed envy in others.’ - -‘History will reward M. de Talleyrand for the evil his contemporaries -have said of him. When, in the course of a long and difficult career, a -statesman has preserved a great number of faithful friends, and counts -but few enemies, one feels bound to credit him with having been wise -and moderate, honourable and thoroughly able. In the prince’s case, the -heart is even better than the ability. Not long ago, M. de R---- came -to borrow twenty thousand francs of him. M. de Talleyrand lent them. A -month later the news came that in consequence of business reverses, M. -de R---- had blown his brains out. “I am glad I did not refuse him the -money,” exclaimed M. de Talleyrand, and one sentence like this suffices -to paint the man. - -‘But,’ Rouen went on, ‘what is the circumstance to which he lately -referred during a conversation, and which he said might have -considerably influenced your life?’ - -‘That circumstance, my dear Achille, never presents itself to my mind -without reviving my regret at having allowed to escape one of the rare -opportunities which offered themselves in one’s young days. Everything -in the way of creating for oneself a career, of making a friend, even -a female friend, depends upon a moment. The goddess of chance must be -caught by the forelock as she rushes past; our regrets have no effect -upon her when we have neglected her momentary proximity to us, I shall -tell you how it happened. I had been living for something like two -months at Raincy, where M. Ouvrard,[89] then at the height of his -fortune, had offered me a couple of rooms in the building belonging -to the fire engine. I was only seventeen; you are acquainted with -the circumstances which at that period brought me into contact at -such a youthful age with the whole of the society of what I must call -“rejuvenated France.” I had received an invitation to a dinner given -by M. Davencourt, the newly appointed “Captain-General of the Hunt,” -in honour of his new functions. It took place in a kind of Russian hut -built in the park, and at the end of a hunt. The other guests were MM. -de Talleyrand, de Montrond,[90] Ouvrard; Admiral Bruix; Generals Lannes -and Berthier. The only woman present was Mme. Grant, who subsequently -married the Prince de Talleyrand. In spite of the many elements of -interest and the clever guests, the conversation slackened; to give it -a fillip, Ouvrard asked me how I had managed on the previous day to get -back to Paris, my horse having got hurt while out hunting, and there -being by a strange coincidence no other animal left in the stable. - - * * * * * - -‘In a very simple way,’ I replied. ‘As you said just now, there was -not a horse to be had for love or money, and I had to be in Paris at -three to meet Mme. Récamier, whom I would not have missed for anything, -inasmuch as she was about to leave the capital immediately. When -there is no chance of a horse or a carriage, the simplest means is to -walk, so I made up my mind to foot it. It was very hot, but at twelve -o’clock I got into the plain about midway between Bondy and Pantin. I -felt thoroughly knocked up, and, moreover, literally as hungry as a -hunter; I stopped at a mill near the high road, and asked them to get -me some breakfast. While it was being prepared, I began to think of -my second want, and asked the miller if there was no means of getting -a horse. “There is mine,” he replied, “and for a crown of six francs -it’s at your service. It will take you very comfortably, and to-morrow, -when I get to Paris, I’ll come and fetch it from your house.” The -courser was brought to the door; it was about as high as an ass, and -in fact performed the duties of one; it had no other equipment than a -pack-saddle. - -‘“How am I to get on to that?” I said to the miller. “Haven’t you got a -riding-saddle? But there is one hanging on the wall.” - -‘“Oh, that’s my own saddle, my brand-new English saddle, and I don’t -let it out for hire, monsieur.” - -‘In vain did I insist, and beg, and persuade. The miller was obstinate, -and I might have saved my breath. I beheld myself riding through the -streets of Paris perched on that lamentable pack-saddle, which had -never carried anything but flour or manure. Assuredly the horse was of -no use to me without the saddle. “Now, gentlemen,” I said, interrupting -my story and addressing my fellow-guests, “what would you have done in -view of the miller’s obstinacy?” Then I appealed to each in particular. -“You, Monsieur Ouvrard, who, in virtue of your administrative -capacities, admired by everybody, sustain our military glory by looking -to the inner comforts of our soldiers? You, Davencourt, who, in spite -of all the ruses of the fox, put on its scent a dozen packs after they -have lost it? You, Monsieur l’Amiral, who brave both the storm and the -guns of the enemy? You, Generals Berthier and Lannes, who in Italy and -in Egypt proved yourselves the Parmenios of the new Alexander? And -finally you, Monsieur de Talleyrand, who as our Minister of Foreign -Affairs have shown and continue to show your profound observation of -men and things:--what would you have done to get hold of the saddle -the miller refused to lend at any price?” There was no answer, they -only laughed. “May I remind you,” I said, “that laughter scarcely -contributes a reply. I have, however, already discovered the master of -all of you,” I went on, turning to Mme. Grant. “Her smile shows me that -she has guessed my last resource. Yes, madame, you guessed rightly; I -appealed to the miller’s wife, and with a few carefully chosen words, -managed to enlist her sympathy. The new saddle, the horse, and the mill -if I had been in need of it, were finally at my disposal. Such, in the -cottage as in the palace, is the power of feminine influence.” - - * * * * * - -‘No sooner had I finished my break-neck story than loud applause broke -forth, followed by the drinking of my health and to the result of my -negotiation. Encouraged by everybody’s approval, I began to talk, like -the boy I was, right and left, and my remarks were evidently relished -by Mme. Grant. M. de Talleyrand, who at that period was very much in -love with her, because, as he said, she had everything that completed -the charm of a woman, namely, a soft skin, a sweet breath, and a sweet -temper--M. de Talleyrand seemed equally pleased with me. The rest -of the guests followed his lead, considering it easier to adopt the -opinion of a clever man than to go to the trouble of making one for -themselves. - -‘When we left the table, M. de Talleyrand beckoned me to a corner of -the room and talked to me for a considerable time. He seemed to enjoy -the account of my travels in Sweden and in Denmark. The description of -the shelling of Copenhagen, at which I was present, interested him. My -remarks on all those countries, on the _émigrés_ in Hamburg, and on -Hamburg itself, he qualified as exceedingly just. “Come and see me in -Paris to-morrow,” he said. “I’ll expect you. But you are very young, -and perhaps you’ll forget. Promise me that you’ll not fail to come.” -Saying which he grasped my hands very affectionately. Mme. Grant, who -had joined us, was equally pressing. I promised, and I ought to have -kept my promise, for it was one of those lucky opportunities which -often decide the whole of a man’s life and which the great Frederick -called “His Majesty, Accident.” - -‘But, my dear Achille, happiness is a ball after which we constantly -run and then push with our feet when we have come up with it. I did -not keep my appointment with M. de Talleyrand. That unfortunate -shyness which too often paralyses youth had once more got the upper -hand. I’ll not go as far as to say that I was practically frightened -at the possible consequences of this good-will towards me. But I did -ask myself what people could offer me in exchange for that constant -succession of happiness, of maddening joys which at that moment made up -my existence? I dreaded the end of a dream which my thoughtlessness, -my ignorance of all serious things, sought to prolong. The contact -with, the goodwill of, such a man, his influence, would have given a -different direction to my ideas and to my career; in short, would have -finally created for me a different life. Yes, friend, the goddess of -chance absolutely stood in my path, and I was foolish enough not to -catch hold of her. I learnt too late that her favour has wings, as -desire is said to have.’ - -‘I am not surprised at the prince’s recollection of the incident. His -memory is excellent.’ - -‘Since then I have often thought the matter over, and always regretted -my neglect to let M. de Talleyrand know the causes of my apparent lack -of gratitude.’ - -‘Your story reminds me of one I heard recently in Rome in connection -with the banker Torlonia, whose enormous fortune is, again, a -consequence of one of those inspirations that decide the fate of a man. - -‘Torlonia, who sprang from very humble people, began by a small -traffic of jewellery between Paris and Rome. A short time afterwards -he established himself as a banker, and then an unhoped-for and -altogether unexpected circumstance brought him in contact in a very -strange manner with Cardinal Chiaramonti. At the death of Pius VI. the -conclave for the election of a new Pope was obliged to assemble at -Venice. Chiaramonti positively had not the money to pay his travelling -expenses, and Torlonia advanced him three or four hundred crowns -without much thought as to the small risk involved, and certainly -without foreseeing the consequences. Chiaramonti proceeded to Venice, -where, in the church of St. George’s (?), he was elected to the papacy. -As a proof of his gratitude, the new Sovereign Pontiff appointed -him Court Banker, then made him a marquis and finally a duke. -To-day, thanks to that small loan, Torlonia is one of the wealthiest -capitalists of Europe.’ - -These last words had just been spoken when Ypsilanti, Tettenborn, and -some other friends came to tell us that supper was being served. We -followed them to the supper-room, where the conversation turned once -more on the subject of M. de Talleyrand and his remarkable influence -on the deliberations of the Congress. Everybody was agreed that -this preponderance was not due either to mere chance or to the just -appreciation of his political knowledge, but to his character, which -had laid it down as a principle that the first and foremost essential -of all diplomatic negotiations was an impenetrable discretion; and -to the fact of his having imbued all those whom he employed with the -same reserve. In connection with this, some one cited the recent reply -of M. D---- in a gathering of friends where M. de Talleyrand and the -particulars of his life were being discussed. - -M. D----, who had been with M. de Talleyrand for twenty years, -accompanied him to the Congress. People naturally concluded that this -long intimacy had made M. D---- familiar with a number of particulars -of the minister’s life, and bearing also upon the events with which he -had been mixed up. Worried with questions, M. D---- invariably replied -that he knew nothing; but the questioners would not be satisfied, and -returned to the charge. ‘Very well,’ finally said M. D----, ‘I’ll -tell you a peculiar and altogether unknown fact in connection with -M. de Talleyrand. Since Louis XV. he’s the only man who can open a -soft-boiled egg with one backward stroke of his knife without spilling -a drop of the contents of the shell. That’s the only peculiarity I know -in connection with him.’ Discretion had scored a decisive victory. From -that moment the questions ceased. - -The topic of M. de Talleyrand seemed really inexhaustible. More stories -about him were told, and then the Prince de Reuss came up to our -table, said a few words to M. Rouen, and once more left us. - -‘It was his father, the reigning prince,’ said one of our friends, -‘who at the time of the Directory began an official despatch in the -following terms: “The Prince de Reuss begs to acknowledge the existence -of the French Republic.” M. de Talleyrand, who in his capacity of -Minister of Foreign Affairs had to reply to the missive, began his -document with: “The French Republic feels most flattered at making the -acquaintance of the Prince de Reuss.”’ - -On leaving my friends, I could not help reflecting with regret upon -my adventure at Raincy, the recollection of which had so unexpectedly -cropped up a few hours previously. I kept thinking of the chance -offered to me by M. de Talleyrand, which my lack of foresight had -caused me to disdain. - - - - -CHAPTER XII - - Illness of the Prince de Ligne--The Comte de Witt--Ambassador - Golowkin--Doctor Malfati--The Prince gets worse--Last - Sallies of the Moribund--General Grief--Portrait of the - Prince de Ligne--His Funeral. - - -One of the most painful events of my life, namely, the death of the -Prince de Ligne, also damped the gaieties of the Congress. The event -affected me so deeply, and it was so unexpected by me, that, after many -years, I still vividly remember the particulars. I was on my way to pay -my quasi-daily visit when, not far from the prince’s residence, I met -the Comte de Witt, who wished to accompany me. The prince was in bed -and ailing. He had caught a chill at that ill-fated appointment on the -rampart; and on the previous evening at the ball, where he appeared so -thoroughly consoled, he had been rash enough to go out without a cloak -in the bitter cold in order to take some ladies to their carriage. As -yet there were no grave symptoms; he was only feverish, and had passed -a very restless night. - -Nevertheless, he welcomed us with the cordial grace that never failed -him, and we chatted about the crowd of strangers in Vienna and the -latest rumours of the Congress; and finally we got to military matters, -the favourite subject of the octogenarian marshal and of the young -Russian general. To judge by his spirited remarks, there seemed no -cause for anxiety, and the Comte de Witt as a parting sentence said how -sorry Vienna would feel at the news of its brightest ornament being -ill. He answered with a particularly atrocious pun, attributed to the -Marquis de Bièvre, which seemed to afford him great amusement, and -expressed the intention of getting well again in a short time if only -to spite the gossip-mongers of the capital. - -When the Comte de Witt was gone, the prince referred to the comte’s -mother, to ‘his exquisitely beautiful mother,’ as he expressed it, -‘whose image rises before me the moment I catch a glimpse of her son -and reminds me of the best years of my life. That type of beauty is -lost,’ he went on. ‘It was a combination of Eastern loveliness and -Western grace. You ought to have seen her, that Comtesse de Witt, when -for the first time she appeared at the Court of France. No words of -mine can convey an idea of the effect she produced, of the universal -enthusiasm she aroused. I remember that, hearing her beautiful -eyes--which were, in fact, the most beautiful conceivable--constantly -mentioned, she imagined that the adjective and the substantive were -inseparable. One day Marie-Antoinette said to her; “What’s the matter, -comtesse, you do not appear to be well?” “Madame,” was the answer, -“I have got a pain in my beautiful eyes.” As you may imagine, this -ingenuous, delightfully naïve reply went the round, and justly applied -to the lovely creature.’ - -I noticed that talking seemed to tire him, and I left, not without a -vague feeling of sadness and anxiety. I felt depressed all day, and in -order to verify my apprehensions of the morning I went back at night. -Doctor Malfati[91] and the Comte Golowkin, known in connection with -his unsuccessful mission to China, were with him, and the former was -warning him against his want of care, which might be attended with -serious consequences. Since the morning violent erysipelas had set -in; the patient seemed much weaker. Golowkin, who had no more faith -than Molière in doctors and the art of healing, was trying to dispel -his uneasiness. ‘With all due deference to the faculty,’ replied the -charming old man, ‘I have always belonged to the sect of unbelievers -where medicine was concerned. You know the remedies I employed during -the famous journey with the great Catherine in Taurida. She was very -anxious that I should submit to some of the dictates of Hippocrates. “I -have got a peculiar way of treating myself,” I replied. “When I am ill, -I send for my two friends, Ségur and Cobentzel: I purge the one and -bleed the other; and that as a rule cures me.”’ - -‘Times are changed, prince,’ said the doctor, somewhat nettled; ‘and -if my memory does not mislead me, six lustres have gone by since -then. Just let us count the years a bit. They make, as far as I can -reckon----’ - -‘Stay, stay, doctor,’ exclaimed the patient in a lively tone, ‘don’t -let’s count anything; I have never counted my enemies. And you, a -clever man, you are telling me “times are changed.” Who in the world -could persuade himself that age changes one’s face. Is it not the same -in the morning when we get up as it was the previous evening when we -went to bed? People here imagine, perhaps, that having exhausted all -kinds of pleasure, I am going to relieve their monotony by giving them -the spectacle of a field-marshal’s funeral. No, I am not a sufficiently -good courtier to be the complacent actor in such an entertainment. I -have no wish to divert the royal pit of the Congress Theatre in that -way.’ - -These well-known words of the Prince de Ligne have always been -strangely misquoted. Historians have lent to them a kind of philosophy, -desirable, no doubt, but altogether unintended by the speaker. -All have made him say: ‘I keep for these kings the spectacle of a -field-marshal’s funeral.’ - -Not one of those historians heard him as I did; not one of them knew -or even suspected the real character of that illustrious old man. - -The prince went on. ‘I do not intend using the epitaph of my friend the -Marquis de Bonnay for a long time to come. I’ll defer the business of -cutting his clever lines into marble for a while.’[92] - -Malfati, though strongly recommending great care, made it a point to -reassure him, and to dismiss all idea of death. - -‘It will have to come to that after all, I know. I was seriously -thinking of it all night. Death suits many people. I once had the fancy -of proving this in several articles I wrote hurriedly. I’ll touch them -up and complete them later on. As for you,’ turning to us, ‘listen and -look, in order to find out if you happen to belong to these categories; -don’t worry about me. As for the doctor, it will serve him as a text -when he wishes to preach resignation to his patients.’ Saying which, he -took from under his pillow a book and began to read to us. Some of his -reflections, apart from their original and piquant style, had also the -merit of a comforting and gentle philosophic teaching. - -After that short moral lecture, Malfati left us. Golowkin, in order to -amuse the invalid, told him some of the incidents of his mission to -China; the variety of the pictures seemed to brighten him. Gradually -dismissing the possibility of any danger, he began to refer cheerfully -to some of the circumstances of his young days. - -‘When I was a child,’ he said, ‘the dragoons of the Ligne regiment -carried me in turns in their arms. My fondness for soldiers dates from -that period. It’s a kind of affection which, contrary to the other, -has often been repaid to me in coin of sterling devotion.’ - -In spite of his cheerfulness, six or eight hours had sufficed to make -him look gaunt and wan. He could no longer smile without an effort; -there seemed to be a short but terrible struggle going on between him -and bodily pain. Finally his courage and energy got the upper hand; -pain was for the moment vanquished. - -His daughter, the Comtesse Palfi, came in to administer the potions -prescribed by Malfati; we left them. When Golowkin and I were outside -on the ramparts, we did not pretend to disguise our uneasiness from -each other. Golowkin was sincerely attached to the prince. - -At eight the next morning I was at the prince’s with Griffiths, who, -having all his life made the science of healing a particular study, -felt only too pleased to assist one he liked so well. The prince was -very depressed; the presentiment of his end made him sad. ‘I know,’ he -said, ‘nature will not be balked. We must vacate the space we occupy -in this world for some other people. We must make up our minds to it. -Nevertheless, I feel this: the greatest sting of death is the fact of -leaving those whom we love.’ I felt the tears getting into my eyes. -‘Come, come,’ he said, ‘don’t be afraid, the “camarde” will be mistaken -once more.[93] To-morrow my pain will be gone like the dream of a -night.’ - -Then he was silent for a few moments, as if pondering. ‘What a sad -thing is the past,’ he remarked at last. ‘The recollection of it is -horrid; if it has been a happy past, it’s hard to say to oneself, -“I have been happy.” When one falls to thinking of one’s moments of -glory and of happiness, of one’s first attempts, even of the games of -childhood, the thoughts are sufficient to kill one there and then with -regret. Nevertheless, if I could have my time over again, or could -return on earth after my death, I should do almost everything I have -already done. My poetry and my love-affairs are the greatest sins I -have committed, and Heaven has never withheld its forgiveness for such -errors. The only thing I should endeavour to do would be not to give -the same persons a chance of being ungrateful to me. After all, I would -only give others a chance....’ - -Throughout the day the greatest personages of Vienna, all the political -and military celebrities and the sovereigns, sent at frequent intervals -for news. The report of his illness had spread among all classes; the -anxiety was general, and a large crowd gathered before his house, so -intense was the interest in the remarkable man about to disappear. -During the night, between the second and third day, his condition -became rapidly and alarmingly worse. His family, bowed down with grief -and dumb with despair, stood around his bed when Malfati came in. ‘I -did not think,’ said the patient, ‘that I should make so much fuss at -going. Truly, the uncertainty and briefness of our days are not worth -the trouble of waiting.’ Then he began to talk with the greatest gaiety -about the bequests he had made. ‘The inheritance will not be difficult -to divide; yet, it was necessary to proceed in orderly fashion. In -accordance with an ancient custom, I must leave something to my company -of trabans. Well, I have left them my posthumous works; the gift is -worth a hundred thousand florins.’ - -They tried to change the conversation in order to divert his thoughts -from the subject of death, but he constantly returned to it. ‘I have -always liked the end of Petronius,’ he said. ‘Bent upon dying as he -had lived, in the lap of luxury, he made them play some charming music -and recite some beautiful verses. I’ll do better than that: surrounded -by those whom I love, I’ll breathe my last in the arms of friendship. -Don’t be sad,’ he said a few moments later, ‘perhaps we’ll not part -yet. One illness sometimes prevents a more serious one. Take heart; -doubt is a most precious gift from nature. Besides, I am by no means -convinced that the prophecy of Etrella is to be realised so soon.’ - -‘What prophecy, prince?’ asked Malfati. - -‘It dates from my last journeys to Paris. The Duc d’Orléans, to whom I -was much attached, for he could be a staunch friend, took me one day -on leaving the Palais-Royal to a sorcerer, a fortune-teller, whom they -called the “Great Etrella.” This Parisian gipsy was perched in a fifth -floor in the Rue de Froid-manteau. He foretold to the Duc d’Orléans -some surprising things to which my want of faith prevented me from -paying much attention. As for me, he told me that I should die seven -days after having heard a great noise. Since then I have heard the -noise of two sieges, I have heard two powder-magazines blown up; and I -did not die of the noise. I fancy that during the present week there -has been no great noise, except about small things--rumours, balls, -fêtes, and intrigues. Many people live by them and through them. I have -not heard it stated that anybody died of them.’ He tried to smile. -Suddenly, there was an access of great weakness, which frightened us. -In a short time, though, he rallied once more. ‘I feel it,’ he said, -‘the soul has worn out its dress. The strength to live is gone; the -strength to love you all remains.’ - -At these words, all his children flung themselves on the bed, kissing -his hands and bedewing them with tears. ‘What are you doing?’ he said, -drawing his hands away. ‘I am not a saint yet, children; or are you -mistaking me for a relic?’ - -The joke produced a more painful sensation than the most agonising cry -could have done. The doctor prevailed upon him to take a draught, which -gave him some hours of peaceful sleep. When he awoke he had recovered -his cheerfulness; the idea of death had vanished. He began even to jest -about the terrible prognostics which, in spite of his weakness, he had -overheard in the morning. ‘Malfati, the “camarde’s” messenger has given -you to understand that she might pay me a visit this evening,’[94] he -said. ‘A truce to that kind of gallant diversion. I have never broken -my appointments, but I mean to break this one. Yes, I have adjourned -the writing of the verses which, like Hadrian, I intend to address to -my soul about to leave my body.’ - -There was a lighted candle on a piece of furniture near the window. -‘Blow that candle out,’ he said to his servant: ‘people can see it from -the rampart; they’ll mistake it for a wax taper, and they’ll think I am -dead. - -‘Did not I tell you,’ he said, addressing himself to us, ‘that the -verdicts of the faculty are not invariably without appeal. Decidedly, -the newsmongers and idlers of the Graben will have to postpone their -comments on my demise, at any rate this time. I hear that to keep their -tongues and pens going they are spreading the rumour of the Empress of -Russia’s pregnancy.’ - -He went on in the same tone, interrupting himself to discuss the plans -of his journeys for the coming spring, and the travels he wished to -complete. We, alas, were far from sharing his opinion, the ravages -of the disease were too plainly discernible; practically there was -no hope. Malfati when leaving had pronounced the situation to be -exceedingly grave. - -Towards the middle of the night the doctor’s apprehensions were -fast being realised. The improvement of a few hours was all at once -succeeded by a thorough prostration. Suddenly his strength seemed to -revive; he sat up in bed and assumed a fighting attitude; his eyes -were wide open, and shone with unusual brilliancy, he gesticulated -violently and shouted: ‘Shut the door, put her outside, “la camarde,” -the hideous hag.’ He was manifestly struggling with all his might -against the ‘hideous hag’s’ grip, and gasping forth incoherent words, -while we, standing by terror-stricken and paralysed with grief, could -only answer him with sobs. This last effort exhausted him completely; -he fell back unconscious. An hour later, God received his soul. It was -the 13th December 1814. - -His daughter, the Princesse de Clary, bent over him and closed his -eyes.[95] His face no longer wore the expression of terror and anger -that had contracted it a moment before his death. His features had -recovered their ordinary and placid expression, and the look of youth -which had been theirs so long in virtue of his peace of mind and -soul. A smile hovered on his lips, and the man, so extraordinary in -everything, even after his death was perhaps handsomer than he had ever -been at any period of his life. His noble face might have served as a -model to the brush of Lesueur for his sublime heads of Heaven’s elect. -In default of the halo which is the pictorial symbol of everlasting -happiness, there were the beams of genius and goodness. His immortality -had commenced. - -At the foot of the bed an old soldier was convulsed with sobs. It was -the Major Docteur whom I had often met at the house. His affection for -the illustrious old man partook of the nature of fanatical worship. It -was said that there were ties of close blood relationship, but whether -the tears coursing down that noble, scarred face were due to gratitude -or admiration, or kinship, they plainly showed the extent of his loss -and the bitterness of his grief. - -The princess cut a few locks of her father’s white hair and distributed -them among us. We received them silently, bedewing them with our tears. -I doubt whether they were ever parted with by any of the recipients. - -The Prince de Ligne was in his eightieth year. With him disappeared one -of the most brilliant lights of his century.[96] - -He was the veteran of European elegance, and at eighty had preserved -the vigour of a man in his prime added to the grace of youth. He -also had the tastes of the young without ever becoming ridiculous in -the slightest degree in consequence. Animated as he was by the most -cordial good-will towards them, young men, whom he treated as ‘chums,’ -worshipped him and were never so happy as in his company. - -His was a genuine and unostentatious philosophy. The revolution in -Belgium deprived him of a great part of his wealth. He bore his losses -with the utmost fortitude. Lavish like most men endowed with great -imagination, he had left portions of his remaining fortune in every -capital of Europe, and, in spite of his extravagance, had scattered -even more wit than money. - -The idea of death had perhaps never presented itself to him: the extent -of his knowledge, the fantasy displayed in his taste, his fondness for -the worldly life led by a society of which he might rightly claim to be -an ornament--all this had provided him with a freshness of imagination, -a vivacity of affection, and a kind of unfailing youth, the source -of which resided in his mind and in his heart. He in every respect -justified the saying of Maupertuis: ‘The body is a green fruit; it only -becomes ripe at the moment of death.’ - -The Prince de Ligne was a field-marshal, the proprietor of a regiment -of infantry (raised and subsequently maintained at his own expense), -captain of the trabans and the guards of the Imperial Palace, a member -of most of the European Orders, and a Knight of the Golden Fleece. He -took a legitimate pride in reminding people that one of his ancestors, -Jean de Ligne, Marshal of Hainault, had received that knighthood at the -same time as Philip, the father of Charles V. - -No official mourning was ordered for the illustrious deceased, -nevertheless mourning was general, inasmuch as it was in everybody’s -heart. For a great number of years, the Viennese had come to look upon -the Prince de Ligne as an object of respect and admiration, a feeling -which was, perhaps, still further increased by the reverence shown him -by foreigners. The Viennese no doubt also remembered the friendship -that had bound him to their Emperor Joseph, and the ‘fraternity of -glory’ that had subsisted between the prince and their most famous -warriors; they could not forget the familiar footing on which he had -lived with them and with all the celebrities of the previous century. -To part with the man who spoke so admirably of all these, and reminded -them so vividly of their heroes, was like losing them a second time. - -The funeral of the Prince de Ligne took place with all the honours -due to his rank, and with a pomp hitherto unknown at the burial of a -private individual. The procession left his house at midday. It was -composed of eight thousand infantry, several squadrons of cavalry, -and four batteries of artillery. His company of trabans surrounded -the funeral car; its officers carried the insignia of mourning. A -herald-of-arms, on horseback, in black armour, wearing a black crape -scarf, baldrick-fashion, and holding a drawn sword lowered, followed -immediately afterwards; and then came the prince’s own battle-charger, -caparisoned in black spangled with silver stars. Behind the charger, -and by the side of the family, came a great number of marshals, -admirals, generals, belonging to nearly all the armies and navies of -Europe. Among them, the Prince Eugène, Generals Tettenborn, Philippe de -Hesse-Hombourg, Walmoden, Ouwaroff, de Witt, Ypsilanti, the Prince de -Lorraine, the Duc de Richelieu, and all the notable personages who at -that moment had forgathered in Vienna. Some of those captains, who had -come expressly to pay their last tribute to the man who had been their -model, were on horseback and carried their swords bare. - -The procession traversed part of the city on its way to the parish -church, called the ‘Scottish Church.’ After the religious ceremony, -the funeral continued its route to the Kalemberg, where the prince had -requested to be buried. - -The funeral procession of the field-marshal passed before the -sovereigns, some of whom, like the Emperor of Russia and the King of -Prussia, had taken up their position on the site of the ramparts razed -by the French. There was unaffected grief on their faces. Alexander, -for instance, could not help remembering the admiration of his -grandmother for the illustrious dead. - -When the coffin was lowered into the vault, the sun shone out at full -strength, and ‘it seemed,’ as Gentz said, ‘as though he would salute -for the last time the favourite of God and men.’ - - - - -CHAPTER XIII - - The Fire at the Razumowski Palace--The Prince’s Great Wealth - --The Vicissitudes of Court Favour in Russia--Prince - Koslowski--A Reminiscence of the Duc d’Orléans--A Remark of - Talleyrand--Fête at the Comtesse Zichy’s--Emperor Alexander - and his Ardent Wishes for Peace--New Year’s Day, 1815-- - Grand Ball and Rout--Sir Sidney Smith’s Dinner-Party at the - Augarten--His Chequered Life, his Missions and his Projects - at the Congress--The King of Bavaria without Money-- - Departure and Anger of the King of Würtemberg--The Queen of - Westphalia--The Announcement of a Sleighing-Party--A Ball - at Lord Castlereagh’s. - - -It seemed as if every species of amusement had been exhausted for the -gratification of the illustrious gathering at Vienna. Balls, hunts, -banquets, _carrousels_ were only a few of the forms pleasure had -adopted in its pursuit. The new year was drawing near, and in order -to inaugurate it under similar auspices of gaiety and happy freedom -from care, the Austrian Court had announced sixteen grand fêtes or -new assemblies for the forthcoming month of January. Suddenly, on a -moonless night, the palace of Prince Razumowski caught fire, and in -consequence of a rather stiff breeze the mischief spread rapidly, and -in a short time looked like Vesuvius in full blast. The excitement -spread in due proportion, and everybody wished to catch a glimpse of -the spectacle, worthy of the brush of a great artist. In a short time -the roads leading to the structure were simply black with people. - -At daybreak I also repaired to the spot. The Emperor of Austria had -gone thither at the first news of the disaster. Several battalions -of infantry, animated by his presence, preserved order, and did all -they could to check the progress of the flames, without much apparent -success. From amidst the snow-covered roofs arose dense clouds of -smoke, which in turns hid and lighted up the burning building itself. -Every now and again an explosion more violent than the rest literally -caused burning beams to drop from on high. A shower of smaller flames -threatened the various parts of the pile with total destruction. The -yawning walls suddenly disclosed vast rooms, superb galleries crammed -with precious furniture and art-treasures, which almost immediately -became a prey to the fast-advancing monster. The pictures and the -statues were flung headlong into the gardens and into the courts. If -they escaped destruction by fire, they were shattered to pieces on the -flagstones or saturated with the jets of water and the molten snow, -which had converted the ground into a kind of quagmire. One magnificent -gallery, decorated with a number of statues by Canova, could not -be saved. Its floor had given way; and at that moment a feeling of -profound consternation seemed to have taken possession of the enormous -crowd. It was not surprising, for the Razumowski Palace constituted one -of the sights of Vienna. It had taken twenty years to build it. Several -times since the opening of the Congress, Emperor Alexander had borrowed -it of his ambassador. It was in these vast apartments that he had given -some of the fêtes rivalling in pomp and splendour those of the Austrian -Court; it was at the Razumowski Palace that he had gathered around a -table of seven hundred covers all the political celebrities of Europe; -it was at the Razumowski Palace that, but three weeks previously, he -had so fitly celebrated the birthday of his sister, the Grand-Duchess -of Oldenburg. Such, in short, were the splendour and charm of this -magnificent palace that Empress Elizabeth had, it was said, seriously -thought of renting it during the spring as her private residence. - -For many, many years Razumowski had made a point of embellishing -the place with every art-treasure that wealth could buy. The rooms -themselves were decorated with as much taste as sumptuousness. Side by -side with galleries containing masterpieces of pictorial and statuary -art, there was a library, perhaps matchless anywhere, inasmuch as -the rarest manuscripts and books were collected there. In short, the -building was a unique specimen of Asiatic magnificence, carefully toned -down by European taste. - -In the costly ornamentation of that palace, Razumowski had spent a -considerable part of his fortune: it was even said that his fortune had -been impaired by it. That wealth, which was enormous, came to him from -his father, Cyril Razumowski, the field-marshal, and the brother of -that famous Alexis who was the favourite and subsequently the husband -of Empress Elizabeth, who secretly married him at Perowo, near Moscow. -The vagaries of luck, which has played so important a part in the -history of Russia, were for Cyril what they were for the brother of -Catherine I. When the erewhile chorister-lad of the imperial chapel, -Alexis Razumowski, had sprouted into the lover and minister of Empress -Elizabeth, it all at once recurred to him that he had a brother. Alexis -decided upon having him sent for, in order to give him a share of some -of the good things that had come to himself. The brother herded flocks -somewhere in Little Russia, and had no presentiment of the marvellous -destiny in store for him. On the contrary, he was inclined to look -upon the imperial emissaries who had come in search of him as so many -recruiting-sergeants bent on converting him into a soldier. In his -opinion, the wallet in which he carried his bread while tending his -flock was a thousand times preferable to the grenadier’s knapsack; -hence, at the approach of the men in quest of him, he escaped, and -hid himself in the woods. As a matter of course, they were on his -track in a few days, and after a most obstinate resistance, he was -bound and laden with fetters, and in that condition he made his first -appearance at the Imperial Palace, whence he issued very soon, laden -with wealth and favours, a field-marshal, and invested with the -restored commandership of the Cossacks, a rank abolished by Peter -the Great in consequence of the Mazeppa conspiracy. In addition to -the most extensive powers, the latter office conferred upon him the -right of levying tithes upon all the revenues of the provinces of his -government; and this naturally became the source of one of the most -enormous fortunes of Europe. - -Exceedingly tactful and devoid of prejudice, Cyril Razumowski -succeeded in maintaining himself in his great position during the -reign of Catherine II., to whose elevation he was supposed to have -contributed in no mean degree. The pomp and splendour with which he -surrounded himself, as well as his personal kindness of heart, seemed -to have rendered him fully worthy of such unprecedented favours. -Many traits are recorded of him proving his generosity as well as -his nobleness of character. He had a steward, who for many years had -managed his affairs, and who had acquired great influence over him. A -poor gentleman of Little Russia, a neighbour of the marshal, was at -loggerheads with the business man about some land, which, though of -little or no importance to the wealthy Court dignitary, practically -constituted the whole of the other’s patrimony. The steward insisted -upon the surrender of the property. The gentleman was thoroughly -aware of Razumowski’s inherent sense of right and justice, and, -instead of trusting his all to the chances of a lawsuit--always -uncertain in Russia, and notably where one’s opponent happens to be -very powerful--he made up his mind to go and find the marshal at St. -Petersburg, and to plead his cause with him. The steward, having got -wind of the affair, is beforehand, and on his arrival in the capital -stigmatises the claim of the gentleman as an utterly unfounded -pretension, and extracts from his master a promise to yield neither to -solicitations nor prayers, but to remain firm. A short time afterwards -the poor gentleman arrives upon the scene and explains his case, and -succeeds in convincing the marshal so completely of the justice of his -claim as thoroughly to move him. The picture of the other’s total ruin -is by no means to his taste; the promise to his steward is forgotten, -and without saying a syllable he leaves the room for a small one -adjoining it, and there in a few lines he draws up a document granting -the contested land to his adversary. At the sight of the paper, the -latter drops on his knees, where the steward, entering at the same -moment by another door, finds him. ‘You see,’ said Razumowski smiling, -‘where I have brought him to.’ The scene is worthy to figure by the -side of that of Sully and Henri IV. at Fontainebleau, when the king -said to his friend the minister, ‘Rise, Rosny, these people might -imagine that I was granting you a pardon for something.’ - -André Razumowski, his son, who had only received his princely title -some short time before from Alexander as a reward for important -services, had inherited several of those qualities which seem such -dignified accompaniments to great wealth. He also had a remarkable and -enlightened taste for art. The genuine type of the grand seigneur, he -was at the same time wholly familiar with the less redundant graces -of diplomatic courtesy. Most expensive in his taste and grandiose in -his projects, he noticed one day that he might shorten the distance -separating him from the Prater, and had a bridge thrown over an arm of -the Danube. As the ambassador to the Austrian Court, he was on the most -confidential footing with Prince de Metternich, the presiding spirit; -and more than once, Razumowski, by his cleverness, had dissipated the -clouds gathering over the discussions of the Congress. - -The fire had meanwhile been got under, but that part of the palace -looking out upon the gardens was irrevocably gone. Among the crowd of -lookers-on, I noticed the Prince Koslowski. After the death of the -Prince de Ligne, an instinctive feeling of friendship, and perhaps -sympathy also, seemed to draw me nearer to that other friend. If, in -the case of the old marshal, I had admired the treasures of experience -and reason and that subtle and delicate appreciation of society, in -the case of the Russian prince I found a loftiness of views, an entire -independence of judgment and expression about men and political events, -too rare, perhaps, among diplomatists. His sprightly conversation bound -many people to him, while at the same time his frankness commanded -affection. - -‘This,’ he said, when I got up to him, ‘is a chapter to add to the -vicissitudes of courtly favour and disgrace in Russia. Razumowski -may consider himself fortunate to be quits at the cost of a palace -half burnt down. He also has known the ups and downs of favour and -disgrace; he also has known the sweets of power and the bitterness -of exile. The history of my country could indeed be made into a -most philosophical novel; it would, above all, provide a series of -excellent moral lectures on the danger of vainglory and the frequency -of revolutions. The last century has offered any number of examples. -There is Menschikoff, a pastry cook’s lad, who becomes a prince and a -general, and is suddenly exiled, dying a couple of years after, without -individually recovering his position. Biren, a servant, is raised to -sovereign rank, and is practically master of the empire for nine years, -until the day that Münnich, his rival, claps the fetters on him in -the presence of his own guards, petrified with fear. Biren, however, -regains favour, while Münnich himself expiates his sudden rise with -twenty years’ banishment to Siberia. Surgeon Lestocq, after having -overthrown the Regent Anne, practically puts the crown on Elizabeth’s -head, and remains one of her principal advisers during her reign. He -is, nevertheless, flung into prison, then set free, and finally almost -entirely forgotten. The Princesse Daschkoff, the supposed soul of the -plot that dragged Peter III. from his throne to place his wife there, -is soon misjudged by her whose plans she imprudently boasted to have -inspired, and to whose grandeur she professed to have contributed. -Finally, the plotters who took Paul I.‘s life and crown are treated -with the utmost harshness by him who owes his present power to them. - -‘Well,’ he went on, after we had left the scene of the fire, ‘the -elevations are often as strange in their causes as the catastrophes are -terrible in their effects. Judge for yourself. In consequence of my -relationship to Prince Kourakine, I began my career in the secretarial -department of the great chancellor Romanzoff. One day the latter was -dictating an important despatch to me. I do not know how I managed it, -but in my hurry, instead of emptying the pounce over the document, I -emptied the inkstand over the beautiful white kerseymeres of the chief. -That inkpot, so indiscriminately emptied, decided my fate. Romanzoff, -as you may imagine, did not care to keep near him a secretary with such -a distinct tendency to spoil his clothes, so he gave him a position -as a state-councillor, where there was a good deal to control, but -little to write. But for this trifling circumstance, I’d probably be -vegetating now among the subalterns.’ - -Few men combined like the Prince Koslowski the liking for work, and -the intelligent appreciation of it, joined to a remarkable and fiery -eloquence. His learning was very varied and extensive, his memory most -admirable. History had no secrets for him; he had mastered all the -diplomatic transactions which for many centuries had regulated the -fate of Europe. His manner of judging men was that of a philosophic -statesman. All the political questions so often twisted out of their -natural shape by private interest he regarded in the light of a friend -of humanity. A staunch partisan of all progress, he was fond of telling -how he, like another illustrious personage already mentioned, had -received equally deserved chastisement at the hands of an Austrian -postillion. While travelling, when very young, on the frontiers of -Prussia, he had struck the driver, whose horses did not keep pace with -the traveller’s impatience. The driver vigorously applied his whip to -the back of the ’prentice diplomatist. ‘Well, it was that Austrian who -gave me my first lesson in liberalism,’ said the prince, laughing, a -decade later. - -Koslowski quickly climbed the first rungs of the diplomatic ladder. -Minister-plenipotentiary to the King of Sardinia, he had the good -fortune to save the lives of several shipwrecked Frenchmen who had been -made prisoners. Napoleon immediately sent the Legion of Honour to the -representative of a sovereign with whom at that very moment he happened -to be at war. The reward redounded as much to the honour of the Russian -ambassador as to that of the French Emperor. It was at Cagliari, about -the same period, that the Prince Koslowski became acquainted with the -Duc d’Orléans, afterwards the King of the French. A similar love of -knowledge, a similar desire for fathoming most things, drew these two -together. Both had spent their earlier years in serious and assiduous -studies. The chequered and adventurous life of the French prince had -strengthened the studies with the experience derived from misfortune. -These two took long walks by the sea-shore, and passed in review the -gigantic events of which practically they were the eye-witnesses. -Sometimes they read Shakespeare, whose language and whose beauties were -equally familiar to them; and those readings were rarely interrupted -except by the cries of admiration of the Russian diplomatist or the -subtle and learned comments of the French exile. - -Very often during the Congress I heard Koslowski refer to the -particulars of that familiar intercourse, of which, despite the -difference in their years--for that difference consisted of a -decade--he cherished a lively recollection. ‘The learning of the Duc -d’Orléans surprises and confounds me; on no matter what subject, -whether it be a scientific, an historical, or a politico-economical -one, he not only holds his own with me, but beats me. What, however, -I admire most in him is his courage in misfortune, and his profound -knowledge of men. He sees them as they are; nevertheless, he judges -them without the slightest bitterness. Proscribed from his country, he -constantly has his eyes turned towards it, and has steadfastly refused -to join those who would reconquer it by force of arms. The saying: -“They have learnt nothing; they have forgotten nothing,” does not apply -to him. Both as a man and as a prince, he belongs to his time.’ - -The Comtesse Zichy gave a grand ball, which was to be honoured by the -presence of the sovereigns. The sole topic of conversation in the -capital was the fire of the previous night, which had robbed the city -of one of its handsomest ornaments. The damage, estimated at several -millions, was absolutely irreparable from the point of view of art. -But oblivion came quickly in those days, and by evening the excitement -had largely subsided, and the courtiers’ greatest interest seemed to -be the study of the sovereigns’ faces, inasmuch as the rumour ran -that the most important questions had been settled, that the sweetest -accord reigned between those rulers of the world, and that the opening -of the new year would be signalised by the proclamation of some great -decisions and the declaration of a general peace. - -Among the crowd of notabilities grouped around the celebrities, such -as M. de Metternich and the Field-Marshal Prince de Schwartzenberg, -was the young Prince C---- de F----, the son of a king, the brother of -a king to-be, yet who, nevertheless, was as simple and unaffected as -he was handsome and clever. A circumstance most trifling in appearance -had made him for the last few days the subject of all comments and the -object of all observation. In the shape of a floral decoration, he wore -simply a daisy in his buttonhole and nothing else. Of course, renewed -each day, the modest village flower was a proof of careful search at -a season when the snow-covered fields had none to offer to the rustic -swain. No doubt some tender recollection, some thought proceeding -direct from the heart, was hidden under this humble emblem. It was -one of the many love-stories enacted while the Congress was supposed -to be unravelling the tangled skein of Europe’s diplomacy. The air of -Vienna seemed positively teeming with them, and their secrets were -not difficult to read. The latest was no exception to the others. It -was soon known that the modest flower of the field reminded the young -prince of a cherished name, that of the Comtesse de ----. One day these -two were strolling through the imperial hot-houses, and, love being -superstitious, they hit upon the idea of consulting the future with -regard to the duration and the depth of a feeling constituting their -happiness. The comtesse plucked a daisy, interrogated it according -to usage, and the last petal brings the ardently wished-for word -‘passionately.’ Naturally the word is welcomed by a mutual smile, there -is an exchange of significant glances--of those glances that say as -plainly as words, ‘You’re understood.’ The prince plucks another flower -and fastens it into his buttonhole. The matter, however, did not end -there; the oracle had been believed; heaven had received the pledges, -while the head-gardener at Schönbrunn had received something more -substantial in the shape of a hundred florins for the fortunate pot of -daisies. A flower placed each morning near his heart reminded the lover -of a pledge which, as a rule, is kept more faithfully in cottages than -in Courts. - -The band had struck up the usual polonaise, and Alexander, as was his -habit, marched at the head of the line of dancers. His partner was -the Comtesse de Paar, as distinguished by the graces of her person as -by the accomplishments of her mind. Midnight struck and the new year -had commenced. In Austria, as is well known, the delightful custom of -our fathers of celebrating the first hour of January amidst mutual -good wishes had been piously preserved. At the sound of the clock, -the comtesse stopped, and, turning towards the emperor, said, ‘I am -very happy, sire, to be the first to offer such a great sovereign the -good wishes for the new year. Allow me also to be with your majesty -the spokeswoman of all Europe for the maintenance of the peace and the -union of peoples.’ - -Such wishes, expressed by such lips, could not fail to meet with an -enthusiastic welcome. Alexander, then, accepted with much grace both -the compliment and the request. He replied that all his hopes, and all -his wishes tended in the direction of that much desired aim, and that -no sacrifice would be considered too great by him to consolidate a -peace which was the first need of humanity. - -The guests had formed themselves into a large circle, and at the last -words of the imperial reply, there were slight feminine cheers from all -parts; a kind of ovation which did not seem to displease Alexander. -For to some of the great qualities of the Grand Louis, he made it his -constant study to add nobleness of manner and ever-watchful courtesy -to the fair sex. The interlude being over, the orchestra took up the -interrupted strain, and the polonaise was concluded amidst joyous -murmurs and mild applause. - -It was thus that commenced under the most happy auspices that year 1815 -which a few months later was to witness a struggle more relentless -than ever, terminating in the catastrophe of Waterloo. From early -morn, and in spite of the biting cold, a considerable crowd had -gathered on the Graben and on other public places. Every one seemed -to be waiting for the announcement of that general peace, of that -general reconciliation, which, according to certain newsmongers, was -to mark the advent of the new year. People kept interrogating each -other with an anxiety mixed with a constantly growing incredulity. All -that could be gathered was the decision of the Austrian Court, which -had suppressed the customary official receptions in order to save its -guests the worry of new year’s compliments and the embarrassment of -mendacious gratulations. As for the decisions of the Congress, they -continued to be enveloped in as much secrecy as ever, and people -remained free to pursue the daily comment on the dissensions of the -Powers and the lukewarmness they were likely to impart to the fêtes -announced for the month of January. - -A great number of carriages traversed the city in all directions, -and that of Lord Stewart, the English ambassador, eclipsed all the -others in virtue of its elegance and its appointments. At an early -hour Empress Marie-Louise had come from Schönbrunn to offer her good -wishes to her august father. Standing aloof from everything that -happened at Vienna, she never attended any entertainment, Court fête, -or public ceremony. Nevertheless, the greatest deference was shown her -everywhere. During the first months after her arrival at Schönbrunn, -she had kept the imperial arms of France on the panels of her carriage, -on the scutcheons of her harness, and on the buttons of her liveries. -On the occasion of a famous visit to her father, some people in the -street had loudly expressed themselves on what they chose to regard as -a blunder in the matter of etiquette. Marie-Louise had heard the words, -and from that day she had been careful to efface the last traces of -her presence on the throne of France; and when we caught a glimpse of -the conveyance we noticed a new monogram instead of the Napoleonic one, -and a livery not only brand-new, but altogether different in colour -from the old. - -Nevertheless, in spite of the unfavourable predictions current on the -Graben with regard to the turn of the discussions of the Congress, the -Imperial Palace from nine that evening was scarcely able to hold the -enormous crowd seeking admittance. The sovereigns, the political and -diplomatic notabilities, had forgathered in what was called the Hall of -the Ceremonies, where the Austrian Court was giving a state ball. Not -far from there the big hall usually set apart for the large routs was -filled with masks and dominos. Griffiths and I had repaired thither. It -presented, as always, the most animated picture of all, and only one -purpose seemed paramount, the pursuit of pleasure. After a few turns -Griffiths and I left, surprised at such a total absence of care so -rapidly succeeding and ousting most important preoccupations. - -One of the most curious gatherings of the Congress and of Vienna was -no doubt the ‘pic-nic dinner’ to which Admiral Sidney Smith invited -the sovereigns and the political and other celebrities then within the -walls of the capital. The idea of bringing together so many eminent -personages, and of making each pay his share of the entertainment, -could not fail to please them by its very sincerity amidst the constant -gaiety which was gratuitously offered to them. Consequently, a great -many had responded to the appeal. - -Sir Sidney Smith had not been attracted to the Congress from simple -motives of curiosity. His aim was political as well as philanthropic. -And though not invested with any official mission, he had created for -himself as many occupations as had the representative of the most -influential Power. His projects in no way belied his adventurous life, -the episodes of which savoured as much of a novel as of history. - -A sailor from his boyhood, and without occupation after the American -War, he passed into the service of Sweden, In consequence of the -glorious naval engagement of 1791, he got the Grand Cross of the -Order of the Sword, and shortly afterwards he offered his services to -Turkey. Recalled after a few months by a proclamation of the King of -England, he found himself, together with Lord Hood, at the siege of -Toulon. In the course of 1796, while lying before Havre, he boarded a -French corsair, which only a dead calm prevented him from taking in -his wake. A sailor having secretly cut the cable of the craft, manned -by English sailors in replacement of the French, the rising tide drove -it into the Seine, where it was attacked by superior forces and was -obliged to surrender. Taken to Paris, Smith was at first confined in -the prison of l’Abbaye, then in that of the Temple. It was from the -latter that his friends, by means of a forged order of the minister of -the police, managed to effect his escape, a circumstance apparently -very simple in itself, but which later on, under the walls of St. Jean -d’Acre, contributed to frustrate most gigantic projects, and perhaps -effectually prevented the revolution of the East. After that it becomes -rather difficult to assign great causes to great events. - -On his return to England, Sidney Smith got the command of the _Tiger_, -four-and-twenty guns, and was instructed to watch the coast of Egypt. -After having bombarded Alexandria, he set sail for Syria, where his -presence and his advice induced the pasha to defend St. Jean d’Acre. -It was owing to his aid and obstinate resistance that the siege had to -be raised. It was on that occasion that he was presented by the sultan -with an aigrette of great price, and received from Napoleon the not -less flattering remark: ‘This devil of a Sidney Smith has made me miss -my fortune.’ - -On his return to London he received the freedom of the City, in -addition to a magnificent sword of honour. Elected to the Commons, -he kept his seat up to the Peace of Amiens, when he obtained a new -command, and in 1805 took Capri after a siege of a few hours. When, in -1807, Napoleon had deposed the House of Braganza, he took the Prince -Regent of Portugal and his family to the Brazils. Since then he had -remained inactive, though, as may be easily imagined, inactivity -did not suit his temperament. The Congress of Vienna offered him a -magnificent opportunity for displaying his mental energy, and, as a -consequence, he was one of the first to arrive. He represented himself -as being vested with full powers by the former King of Sweden, Gustavus -IV., who, under the title of the Duc de Holstein, had entrusted him -with a claim relative to the throne he had lost. That very honourable -mission had been bestowed upon him in virtue of his being a former -Swedish naval officer and a knight of the ‘Order of the Sword.’ - -At the very opening of the conferences, Sir Sidney Smith had submitted -to the supreme tribunal of Europe the declaration of his august client. -The moment seemed well chosen. Justice, reparation, legitimacy, -were religiously invoked watchwords in Vienna. In appealing to the -conscience of sovereigns, the deposed monarch brought their own -arguments to bear upon them. In his note, Gustavus-Adolphus reminded -them that he had been deposed only by the influence of Napoleon, with -whom he had declined all relationship, especially since the death of -the Duc d’Enghien. He furthermore pointed out that the Swedish nation, -in excluding him from the throne, had only yielded to a political -necessity and to the threats of the great Powers; that at the moment of -his abdication he was a prisoner; that since then he had always refused -to renounce the rights of his son; that he felt confident of this -prince, when he arrived at his majority, proving himself worthy of his -birth, of the Swedish nation, and of his illustrious forefathers; and -that, finally, he did not claim the throne on his own account. - -In politics, however, the most logical arguments are not always the -most valid ones. The days and months went by without there being the -slightest question of restoring his sceptre to the deposed monarch. -Practically sent away without having produced the least impression as -far as his embassy was concerned, Sidney Smith was, however, not at all -discouraged. ‘If, contrary to all possibility, I fail with this august -tribunal,’ he said, ‘I’ll bring it without the slightest fear before -the tribunal of my own country. As long as we have a Parliament in -England, there will be a court of justice for the whole of Europe. I’ll -ask why a legitimate king comes to be deprived of his rights; I’ll ask -to know the reason of the most relentless enemy of Bonaparte falling a -victim to his intrigues; of the abandoning to misfortune of the man who -was the first to attack the Colossus with all the ardour of a knight of -olden times. Do not people know that Napoleon never forgave Gustavus -for having reproached him with the murder of the Duc d’Enghien, and for -having sent back to the King of Prussia the Order of the Black Eagle, -which he, Gustavus, declined to wear in common with Bonaparte? - -‘If it be objected that Gustavus signed his abdication, I’ll answer -that he was not a free man, that a father cannot sign away the rights -of his son, that a sovereign cannot depose his dynasty. Ought not this -descendant of the great Gustavus, of Charles XII., to inspire in this -spot the interest inseparable from such magnificent memories? When -on every side the principles of equity are loudly evoked, will they -dare by the strangest contradiction to reject the most sacred, those -of an inheritance founded on glory and hallowed by ages? In fine, if -history is henceforth to be the sole judge of arbitrary acts, it -is to history that Gustavus-Adolphus shall appeal. Posterity, more -equitable than this Congress of kings, shall say of the prince that if -certain brilliant peculiarities made him, perhaps, an object of envy -and enmity, it is very rarely that vice does not avenge itself upon -a brilliant destiny with calumny. As for myself,’ added the admiral, -‘a constant courtier to fallen grandeur, I shall remain true to my -affections and to my principles, and defend until the end the rights of -legitimacy and evil fortune.’ - -In vain they told him that the interest of the nations themselves, the -pledges given, and the need for peace, had also to be considered; that -Europe could not annul solemn acts, and perhaps least of all those -secret treaties that assured to Bernadotte and his dynasty the peaceful -possession of the throne of Sweden; that Europe would never reward the -eminent services he had rendered to the common cause by a spoliation; -that Europe would not expel him from the prominent place of honour to -which the general wish of the Swedes had lifted him in order to impose -upon them the monarch they had rejected; that the sad position of -Gustavus-Adolphus rendered it imperative in him to bear his misfortunes -with dignity; and that, finally, when a monarch is deposed, he could -only arouse compassion by avoiding to draw attention to his case. In -spite of the indifference of the Congress and of the public, Sidney -Smith, nevertheless, did not leave a stone unturned in favour of a -cause henceforth lost. - -The negotiations with regard to his pic-nic dinner had met with fewer -obstacles. In Vienna, it was easier to organise a pleasure-party -than to obtain the restitution of a throne in an assembly which had -seemingly taken it as a principle to despoil the feeble in favour of -the strong. The aim of this general convocation was a subscription, at -the head of which the admiral had placed his name. The proceeds, it -was said, were to be devoted to the purchase of an immense silver lamp -for the Holy Sepulchre at Jerusalem. But it was also soon known that -the sums Sidney Smith hoped to collect would be used for the repurchase -of the Christians kept prisoners in Barbary. He had already proposed -to the Congress a naval expedition for the purpose of annihilating -those Barbary powers, of putting an end to their brigandage, and of -destroying the disgraceful white-slave traffic in Africa for ever. -Naturally, he was to take the command of this anti-piratic army. -The Congress had, however, other things to think about than the -organisation of a crusade, and this new Peter the Hermit had fain to -be content with the simpler means of redeeming the slaves with the -gold taken from the purses of the votaries of pleasure. Transplanting -English usages into Austria, a dinner seemed to him the suitable bond -for this humanitarian work. - -A great number of tickets were sold and the day was fixed. The -Augarten, eminently suited for such a function, had been chosen. Yan, -the _restaurateur par excellence_, had undertaken all the culinary -details of that philanthropic gala fête. The price of the tickets had -been fixed at three Dutch ducats, that for the ball to follow at ten -florins. The dinner was to be on the table at five o’clock in the -beautiful hall so often used by Maria-Theresa and Joseph II. The -table itself was in the shape of an elongated horse-shoe; the walls -of the apartments had practically disappeared under the standards of -all nations. An orchestra had been erected at each end. The sovereigns -had not only approved, but approved with great alacrity. The grand -personages of the Congress, ministers, generals, and ambassadors, had -been equally eager to contribute their ducats. Among the hundred and -fifty guests there were as many highnesses as semi-sovereigns, great -captains, and illustrious statesmen. Trumpeters on horseback, posted -at intervals, announced the monarchs’ arrival by loud blasts. Those -‘glorious entrances’ as they are practised on the English stage proved -that the admiral had not forgotten the theatre of Shakespeare. - -Yan had done his best, and though that best was good, and Bohemia, -Hungary, and the Hereditary States had provided their most delicate -edibles, a dinner at the Court would no doubt have been more perfect in -every respect. It was, however, a tavern repast, where every one paid -his own share; and that novelty had seemed so strange to the crowned -heads, or to the heads fated to wear a crown, that no one was absent. -It was, indeed, a strange and curious spectacle. - -Every one remembers the banquet where Voltaire made Candide dine with -seven deposed kings at Venice. Since then, no one had ever seen so -many forgathered in a tavern or restaurant. If the number of those who -sat down at the Augarten was not absolutely the same, at least they -were not deposed, but crowned in real earnest, and very resplendent. -The inverse comparison, in fact, presented itself to everybody’s mind. -Involuntarily also, the mind reverted to some of those functions where -the kings pressed around Napoleon the victorious; a few spoke about it, -but in nothing louder than a whisper. - -During the first part of the repast, the music played the national -airs of the different countries. At the second course, the admiral, -like the good Englishman he was, and faithful to the traditions of -his country, got on his legs, and spared neither the toasts nor the -speeches. The subject of his own was, naturally, in connection with the -object of the gathering; and though it dragged, no member of the ‘Order -of Mercy’ could have preached with greater unction the redemption of -the slaves. The result of his eloquence was calculated to flatter him, -for it amounted to several thousands of ducats. The emperors had each -subscribed a thousand, and the others according to their fortunes or -their philanthropy. - -Sidney Smith had concluded his speech, the dishes had run their course, -the wines of Hungary, the Rhine, and Italy had been tasted, sipped, and -lauded, according to their merit, and we were about to rise from the -table, when suddenly there appeared the manager of Yan, who, between -two symphonies of Haydn, claims of each of the guests the sum of three -golden ducats, the price fixed for the banquet, the music, and the -lights, the total amounting to about five thousand four hundred francs. - -Some months later, I happened to be in London at the dinner offered to -the sovereigns by the City. The number of guests, truth to tell, was -somewhat more considerable; the ball may also have been somewhat more -numerously attended. The expense, though the fête was in nearly every -respect similar, came to twenty thousand pounds. A different spot, a -different total. - -A trivial circumstance which lent some gaiety to the banquet in the -Augarten was entirely lacking in London. It was an episode which, in -itself, was worth a whole book, and recalls that so facetiously told by -Voltaire. Not that it deals with a king tracked by bailiffs like the -poor, ill-fated Theodore of Corsica, but with that most charming and -most delightful of reigning kings, Maximilian Joseph of Bavaria. - -Yan’s manager had begun his collection, and had put the money of -the Emperor Alexander and the King of Denmark in the silver dish -he was carrying. When he got to his Bavarian majesty, Boniface’s -representative boldly presented the dish, already ornamented with the -six ducats in question. The excellent Maximilian carried his hand to -one waistcoat pocket, then to the other, then to the pocket of his -coat. The search is absolutely fruitless--pockets, fobs, receptacles -are as completely empty of money as in the days when joyous Prince -Max failed to find any money-lender in Paris to line those pockets -with gold. It is more than probable that this king, this very model -king, had emptied the contents of his purse into some hand stretched -out to him, as invariably happened at Munich, where some unhappy -wretches always posted themselves on his route. At any rate, a second -examination of the pockets brought the unalterable conviction that his -majesty of Bavaria had not a red cent upon him. - -Rather embarrassed by the situation, the king began to scan the whole -length of the board, and caught sight of his chamberlain, the Comte -Charles de Rechberg, at the very end of it. He felt sure that his -embarrassment was at an end. Rechberg, who was there on his own account -and for his own money, had not the remotest intention of attending upon -his royal master in this kind of ‘Liberty Hall,’ and was, moreover, -deeply engaged in conversation with M. de Humboldt. Rechberg had -just published an important book upon Russia, which publication, -he fain hoped, would give him a foremost rank among distinguished -_littérateurs_, and, naturally, he was talking enthusiastically about -it to the great savant. Consequently, he did not see the signals of -distress from his sovereign, and equally, as a matter of course, failed -to answer them. The head-waiter, meanwhile, did not budge, holding out -the silver dish for the money due to him. The king kept one eye on the -collector, the other on Rechberg, and his confusion gradually became -such as to attract the notice of those around him. In a little while -a kind of titter was running round the table like an electric spark. -To give the scene a somewhat complete likeness to the royal banquet at -Venice, it only wanted a few bailiff’s officers at the door, watching -King Theodore. How King Maximilian would have got out of his quandary -without the help of his neighbours, it would be difficult to say, for -the stolid head-waiter refused to budge. A far better money-collector -than courtier, he kept jingling his money against the dish, till Prince -Eugène, who had been the last to get an inkling of the situation, was -about to satisfy his claim. He was, however, forestalled by Alexander, -who, recalling the inexorable creditor, about to move at a sign from -the prince, emptied his purse into the dish, shaking, meanwhile, -with uncontrollable laughter, in which the others joined. Good King -Maximilian continued to look confused for a few moments, but, finally, -was as amused as the others at an episode which perhaps reminded him of -his youth. - -At the conclusion of the dinner, and the subscriptions having been -settled, we passed into the ball-room. It was a real pell-mell, less -animated than a rout, less solemn than a Court ball, but infinitely -more curious to the ordinary observer. There were few ladies of high -degree; they were already satiated with fêtes; on the other hand, -there were a great many dames of the bourgeoisie who counted upon -nothing less than a highness or an ambassador for a minuet or a waltz. -Unfortunately, nearly all had spoilt their fresh and charming looks by -ornaments the reverse of tasteful. Though, unquestionably, bought at -a high price, these ornaments suited their charming figures far less -than the classic golden cap of Phrygian shape. The sovereigns retired -almost immediately after the ball opened, and the most illustrious -guests followed their example very shortly. As a consequence, the young -bourgeoises waited in vain for the hoped-for aristocratic partners, -and they had to be content with the new arrivals in that capacity. -They did not seem to mind it, for they had the full value of their -ticket: daylight was streaming in before they made up their minds to -leave. The whole expense of the dinner and ball combined was reported -not to have exceeded fifteen thousand florins. Eight months later, -the fête given by the London merchants to the sovereigns, to which I -have already referred, cost twenty thousand pounds. And yet people -complained about the excessive dearness of everything in Vienna! What -would it have been if the Congress had been held in London? This was -the fête which enabled Sidney Smith to make a long speech and to add -to his titles, already more or less showy, that of President of the -Noble Knights. In reality, it was a pity to see a man with real claims -to distinction constantly seeking opportunities of no value as far as -he was concerned and often altogether insignificant.[97] It was said -that, as an auxiliary to the pursuit of his humanitarian object, he had -solicited and obtained a brief from the Pope authorising him to found -a society for the purpose of abolishing slavery for evermore. What was -something more practical was the aid of the Powers and their money. -All the sovereigns had promptly proclaimed their adhesion to these -philanthropic projects by their subscriptions and their presence at his -picnic; all but two, the Emperor Francis and the King of Würtemberg. -The first, confined to his room by a somewhat serious indisposition, -had sent a donation of a thousand ducats; the second had, two days -previously, left Vienna, and his abrupt departure formed the subject of -every conversation. - -Naturally imperious and irascible, the very corpulent King Frederick -chafed and fretted against the slowness of the diplomatic discussions. -In the state-gatherings, he always seemed to be grumbling or devoured -with care. He was not the only one, for it was generally felt that the -ordinary passions were pursuing their course under all those floral -ornaments and decorations. There came an opportunity, however, for -his impetuous character to show itself in all its violence. Among the -many conflicting claims submitted to the Congress, the landed nobility -of Germany herself had deemed it advisable to join the petitioners, -and it had sent its deputies entrusted with the claim for recovering -its ancient position and rights. During a conference attended by his -majesty of Würtemberg, that claim was discussed, and there was also a -good deal of desultory talk about the restoration of the Holy Roman -Empire. The king was scarcely able to contain himself, and when it -became a question of measures that might restrict the prerogatives of -sovereigns, he rose in great anger. Before him there was a table which, -unlike the boards at the imperial banquets, had not been scooped out to -accommodate his majesty’s enormous corpulence. In his sudden movement -the abdominal prominence of the king lifted the table off its legs and -it fell with a crash. The mishap naturally aggravated the temper of -the king, who quickly regained his own apartments, and in the evening -left the capital of Austria, after having strenuously recommended his -plenipotentiaries systematically to reject every demand on the part of -the nobles. As for his son Wilhelm, he remained much more concerned -with the handsome eyes of the Grande-Duchesse d’Oldenbourg than with -the questions of the Congress. - -This overbearing character the King of Würtemberg showed just as much -in his relations with his family as in the exercise of his royal power. -There was an instance of it when he forced his son into a marriage -against his will. He acted in a similar manner with regard to his -daughter when he made her marry Jérôme, King of Westphalia, the brother -of Napoleon. No sooner had the latter fallen than Frederick wished -the marriage to be dissolved. Attached by a sincere affection to her -husband, and at any rate to her child, the Queen of Westphalia opposed -a stubborn refusal to her father’s demands. ‘United by bonds due to -politics,’ she wrote to him, ‘I am not going to recount the happiness -of seven years; but if he had been the worst of husbands, you, my -dear father, by consulting the real principles of honour, could only -command me not to leave him now that misfortune has overtaken him, and -considering that this misfortune is not of his own making. My first -idea, my first impulse, was to go and fling myself into your arms, -but accompanied by him, the father of my child. Where, in fact, would -be my tranquillity if I did not share it now with him to whom are -due more than ever all my powers of consolation?’ In another letter, -she expressed herself as follows: ‘Though I married for political -reasons, it seemed ordained that I should become the happiest woman in -existence. I bear my husband three feelings combined, love, tenderness, -and esteem. A time will come, I trust, when you will be convinced of -having judged him wrongly; and when that time arrives you shall find in -him and in me the most respectful and affectionate children.’ Such a -noble resistance ended by disarming the father, whose children had both -been forced by him into unions which were in the end to prove happy in -the case of his daughter, the reverse in the case of his son. - -This departure of the King of Würtemberg put an end to all the hopes -of the German noblesse. A few days afterwards, the deputies, tired of -being deluded with promises that had no prospect of realisation, did -not wait until they were positively bowed out, but left the Austrian -capital of their own accord. As a matter of course, the epigrams which -generally accompany failure were not spared to them; their going was -attributed to their exhausted finances, and the next morning they were -forgotten. - -People were merely talking about a new entertainment, namely, a -sleighing party. The snow, which lay thick, and the sharp frost, which -seemed to have set in for good during the last few days, favoured that -kind of amusement, borrowed from the stern climate of St. Petersburg -and Moscow. The Austrian Court made immense preparations, and the -magnificence to be displayed was to rival that of the imperial -_carrousel_. - -[Illustration: ROBERT LORD VISCOUNT CASTLEREAGH, MARQUESS OF -LONDONDERRY.] - -Pending those preparations, the fêtes and amusements announced for -the month of January suffered no interruption. The fêtes which, on -account of the serious turns of the discussions, were to languish, -seemed, on the contrary, to be more brilliant than ever. At that -period Lord Castlereagh gave a great gala-ball. At Vienna, all the -entertainments bore their particular stamp. Generally the private balls -given by the illustrious diplomatic personages, though apparently -modelled on the same pattern, were dissimilar in their general -physiognomy or in their minute details. One might have called Lord -Castlereagh’s a ‘vanity ball,’ for if on the one hand it was very -sumptuous, on the other it was serious, like pride itself, and cold, -like overweening pretension. Yes, one really felt inclined to say that -the pride and the pretension which Lady Castlereagh had displayed in -attaching to her brow the Garter of her husband had followed her into -the gilded and brilliant halls of her residence, redolent with the -scent of many flowers. The sumptuousness of the supper failed to thaw -the iciness of the affair. As for the host, according to his habit -amidst all those animated fêtes where everything was given over to -pleasure, he seemed pre-occupied and smitten with care. Even when his -lordship danced, he seemed to be bent upon giving his serious thoughts -the slip by the accelerated movement of his legs, disporting himself in -an Irish jig or a Scotch reel. Did Lord Castlereagh really endeavour -to get away from the disappointments of an insidious and miscarried -policy? Did he already ponder the last scene of the political drama of -his life, when the stoicism of Cato, added to the sombre results of -his spleen, made him escape by suicide from tardy and by then useless -regrets? History has as yet not given the key to that enigma. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV - - Some Original Types at the Congress--M. Aïdé--A Witticism of - the Prince de Ligne--Mme. Pratazoff--Mr. Foneron--The - Old Jew--His Noblesse and his Moral Code--Mr. Raily--His - Dinners and his Companions--The Two Dukes--The End of a - Gambler--The Sovereigns’ Incognito--Mr. O’Bearn--Ball - at the Apollo--Zibin and the King of Prussia--Charles de - Rechberg and the King of Bavaria--The Minuet--The King of - Denmark--Story of the Bombardment of Copenhagen--The German - Lesson. - - -This unique scene of the Congress seemed a composition of thousands of -pictures forming a general view. Each separate actor was a complete -novel, and the lives of most of them would have offered material for -long poems. As may be easily imagined, extraordinary personalities were -not wanting in this motley gathering; their presence did not constitute -the least conspicuous singularity. - -Among the types not easily forgotten by the visitors to Vienna -in 1814-15 stood first and foremost M. Aïdé. He was one of those -cosmopolitans who make up for the lack of genuine credentials and -ascertained pedigree by an overweening amount of assurance. His career -was a problem and his fortune an enigma. Born at Smyrna, he came to -Vienna years before the Congress and while very young. His Eastern -costume and the title of Prince du Liban, which he flourished somewhat -ostentatiously about then, attracted some notice. At the time of the -Congress he had become more modest; he had discarded both the Mussulman -dress and the princely title. He was to be met with everywhere; no -drawing-room or reception seemed complete without him. Very amiable and -obliging, he apparently belonged to no camp or party, though perfectly -at home in every one. It was, nevertheless, noticed that he was a -guest at Lord Castlereagh’s more frequently than elsewhere, and it was -tacitly admitted that his lordship favoured him for the sake of his -private secretary, between whom and M. Aïdé there had formerly existed -some commercial relations at Smyrna. - -The particular mania of M. Aïdé was to obtain presentations to any and -every one. The moment a new drawing-room was opened, M. Aïdé’s fixed -idea was to find an introducer to facilitate his admission to it. He -often addressed himself to that effect to people with whom he could -scarcely claim acquaintance; and it was exceedingly difficult to shake -him off. The Prince de Ligne, whose kindness he had often laid under -contribution in this way, finally got tired of the thing, and one -day, when badgered as usual, he introduced the obstinate Greek in the -following words: ‘I present to you a man very much presented and very -little presentable.’ - -The excellent prince often said that he was sorry for what he had done, -for the sentence was repeated, and drew still greater attraction to M. -Aïdé without curing him of his mania. Some years afterwards, while he -was travelling in England, the elegant manners he had acquired in his -constant intercourse with good society captivated, during his stay at -Cheltenham, a young and exceedingly rich girl, whom he married. The -uncertainty of his existence seemed, as it were, at an end, when he got -involved in a quarrel with the young Marquis of B---- at a ball at Mr. -Hope’s. The cause, it was said, was most trifling--an introduction. A -duel was the result, and M. Aïdé was killed on the spot. - -A not less curious individuality, notably for the memories she -recalled, was the old Comtesse Pratazoff, the favourite of Catherine -II., near whom she had occupied a most intimate if not most important -position. In Vienna she was accounted a celebrity. I was indebted -for a glimpse of that relic of the past to the Prince de Ligne. ‘Our -acquaintance dates from very long ago,’ he said, while taking me to -her temporary residence one day. ‘She also belonged to the company -during that famous Crimean journey, not because she had any particular -functions, but because the empress had got so used to talk to her, -especially in the morning and in the evening, as to be unable to -dispense with her. Royal favour often springs from nothing more than a -mere habit on the part of the sovereign of seeing a certain person near -him. In the Comtesse Pratazoff’s case it was, however, something more -than that.’ - -Catherine the Great’s intimate friend had taken up her quarters at the -inn. On entering the room I saw, seated on a couch, a voluminous mass -filling the whole of its space. To judge from the quantity of jewels -she wore, she might have passed muster as an Indian idol. From the top -of her head to her waist, she was literally covered with necklets, -diadems, bracelets, pendants, brooches, earrings, etc. This jeweller’s -shop seemed to me about seventy. - -On our entering the apartment, she made an attempt to rise, but fell -back into her original position, trying, not, however, without great -difficulty, to find room for the prince on the sofa beside her. Having -become aware of my presence, she welcomed me with some of those -ultra-polished, not to say finical, phrases the whole vocabulary of -which was a very open book to the educated Russians of her time. Then -the conversation drifted on to the halcyon days of the fêtes of the -Hermitage. The past was dignified and the present vilified. The most -curious feature of this hour’s visit was the prince’s seeming oblivion -of the thirty years that had passed since that journey to the Crimea, -and his persistent effort to treat this enormous dowager as a young and -skittish thing, calling her ‘my dear’ and ‘my little girl’; and her -absolutely serious acceptance of this kind of flirting by mincing and -mouthing in a most ridiculous, though to her evidently natural, manner. - -When we left her, I promptly repaired home to inscribe on my notes the -portrait of that puppet who had come to show Europe in Vienna the sight -of her decrepit old person, her ancient jewels, and her superannuated -pretensions. - -Another ‘character’ was an Englishman named Foneron. He had been for a -long time a banker at Leghorn, and had amassed a great fortune there, -after which he migrated to Austria. As humpbacked as Æsop, as careful -as the Phrygian, and nevertheless endowed with a sensitive heart, he -had strenuously calculated the discomforts of a union with a fair one -of any thing like Circassian stature. With admirable foresight, he had -looked for and found a young girl with a most charming face, but more -deformed than he. He offered his hand, which was accepted, for the girl -was poor. The marriage took place secretly, but there were still too -many witnesses, for never assuredly was there a more strangely assorted -marriage. A host with an excellent wine-cellar and an almost matchless -cook is sure to meet with indulgence from every one. Mr. Foneron had -both, and in spite of the far from good-natured remarks about himself -and his wife, made a point during the Congress of giving the most -exquisite dinners. Few strangers admitted to his sumptuous board have -forgotten the Friday’s fare, and the classic beefsteaks forming part -of it. They might have called Mr. Foneron the cook of the Congress. -Amidst that crowd of pretenders and petitioners, he asked for nothing, -claimed neither indemnity nor titles, nor orders. His titles and orders -were his dinners. His sole ambition might have been to preside at the -Beefsteak Club of London. - -At one of those receptions I met M. Ank----, a Jew by birth, who did -not belie the instinct of his race for gold. He had a great quantity -of it, he was literally bursting with it; but his reputation for -avarice at least equalled his reputation for wealth. He took it into -his head to invite me to breakfast. Curious to verify the proverb to -the effect that there is nothing more lavish than a miser, I accepted -the invitation. Both the size and the tidiness of the whole of his -apartment produced as it were a cold shiver. There was scarcely any -fire, few carpets, and some hard-worn furniture. As a kind of penance, -no doubt, for the many glorious banquets I had partaken of during the -preceding months, he offered me a little dubious black liquid which he -called chocolate. When I had courageously swallowed the Lacedemonian -broth, he took to showing me his artistic treasures. M. Ank---- was a -numismatist; he had one of the richest and most complete collections -of medals in Vienna, rivalling that most celebrated one of the Comte -Vitzay. After this he showed me some rather good pictures and then -a heap of bric-à-brac, collected less for the love of art than from -the wish for gain, for he put a madly exaggerated price on all that -old rubbish. I had accepted the chocolate, I had drunk it, and I -swallowed the rest of the bitter cup. When he had shown me everything, -he drew from an iron chest a portfolio full of drafts to order, bills -of exchange, and bills at sight. They represented an immense amount -of money. ‘These are no family parchments,’ he said, ‘or emblazoned -scutcheons, but patents of nobility calculated to blanch the cheeks of -the world’s aristocracies, and patents of nobility which shall never -derogate. There are neither misalliances nor hereditary stains of gold -in that book. Gold, from the day it was first purified by fire, is the -only pure genealogy, the only one retaining its pride, the only one -whose brightness cannot be dimmed. Find me an aristocracy capable of -vying in multiplicity of quarterings and services rendered with that -one, and I’ll kneel down and worship.’ - -And he stroked the bills of exchange, and waved the flimsy bits of -paper in the air, to prove to me the enormous total of those patents of -nobility of his imagination. ‘With all this,’ he went on, ‘the world -is an immense Garden of Eden, where no fruit is forbidden. Whatever -the moralists of the school of Seneca may pretend, here you behold -the motive of all virtue, and also the motive of all pleasure. I hold -the whole of it in this hand without trouble, without confusion, -without remorse--the whole of it, from the most sumptuous palace, the -most exquisitely appointed carriages, the most exquisitely prepared -banquets, to the most divinely beautiful woman.’ Saying which, he -strained his ‘bill case’ to his heart with more fervour than the old -man hugs his purse in the ‘Scène du Déluge’ of Girodet. - -‘I think I have heard enough, M. Ank----,’ I said; ‘you not only make -an end of all virtue, but you would justify crime. Why should not a -brigand adopt your plea after killing you, by saying that he also -wishes to judge whether the reality your gold would procure could not -weigh up against all your illusions?’ - -As may be imagined, I had had enough, and more than enough, of the man, -of his breakfast, of his code of morals, and of his bill-book, and I -bade him good-bye with the firm intention of never seeing him again. - -Another Englishman who at that time contended with Mr. Foneron for -the honour of entertaining both strangers and his countrymen was Mr. -Raily. Thanks to his enormous expenditure, he was, according to some, -soon enabled to beat the exquisite comfort of the family dinners of -his rival. Not feeling particularly anxious to swell the number of -Mr. Raily’s guests, I had persistently neglected every opportunity of -procuring for myself invitations, of which Mr. Raily was not sparing. - -‘I wish you to make his acquaintance,’ Griffiths said to me one day: -‘an observer must see everything and study everything. Mr. Raily, as -well as several other “characters,” will figure very well in your -recollections; at any rate, there will be the merit of variety.’ - -I let Griffiths have his way, only asking him a few questions on the -personage we were going to visit. - -‘Mr. Raily,’ answered Griffiths, ‘seems to me one of those mysterious -and strange individuals, like the Comte de Saint Germain[98] and -Cagliostro, who appear to me to live upon everything except their -incomes. When you have seen him, I’ll give you a more detailed -biography. In all my journeys I have invariably met him living upon a -footing either implying the possession of great wealth or the clever -means of getting it. The first time I met him was at Lord Cornwallis’s -in India; since then I have seen him in Hamburg, in Sweden, in Moscow, -in Paris at the period of the Peace of Amiens, when he told me he -had just arrived from Spain. And now, he is here in Vienna, where -he outshines the most opulent. One is almost tempted to say that he -seeks to forget or to hide the origin of his wealth. His dinners are -much run after; his guests are of the highest rank, for he seems to -set particular store upon their quality and titles. A duke seated at -his board fills him with joy, an excellency produces merely a glowing -sensation of comfort; but a royal highness produces a kind of feeling -no mortal pen can describe. If etiquette permitted their majesties to -visit him, Mr. Raily would in a few days be bereft of his reason. You -shall judge of it for yourself, for I dare say he’ll invite us, if only -from sheer ostentation.’ - -Mr. Raily had taken up his temporary quarters in the magnificent -mansion of the Comte de Rosenberg. He welcomed us with the exaggerated -courtesy common to all those who are not affable either by instinct or -constant habit. He was very important about his house, the furniture, -his horses and carriages and the servants, which provided, as it were, -the conversational transition to the dinners, and became a bore to -the guests. He enumerated the highnesses and the celebrities that had -partaken of his hospitality, or were about to do so, and, as Griffiths -had foreseen, wound up by saying: - -‘If you do not mind an invitation at such a short notice, gentlemen, I -shall be delighted if you’ll dine with me to-day with the hereditary -princes of Bavaria and Würtemberg, the Grand-Duke of Baden, Admiral Sir -Sidney Smith, several ambassadors and _chargés_ and other personages of -distinction whom you doubtless know.’ - -Feeling that the gathering would present a piquant picture, Griffiths -promptly accepted; and we left the happy master of the house -superintending the preparations for his _serenissimo_ banquet. At six -o’clock we were once more in the magnificent apartments, and dinner was -served shortly after. The table had been laid in a long gallery, at the -end of which there was a kind of English sideboard, _i.e._ a buffet in -tiers. The plate, both gold and silver, and the crystal on it attested -wealth rather than taste. The host, positively beaming, had the Prince -Royal of Bavaria on his right, and the Prince Royal of Würtemberg on -his left; the rest, highnesses, generals, ministers, etc., took their -seats according to their own sweet pleasure. A lucky chance placed me -next to Admiral Sidney Smith, and his interesting conversation, ranging -over a period of ever so many years, opportunely broke the monotony of -the banquet. For though it is difficult to imagine a more sumptuous -banquet than that, the hours went wearily, and, in spite of the -abundance and the delicacy of the dishes, the aroma of the wines, and -the profusion of everything, the guests seemed anxious to come to the -end of it all. No one tried to enliven the conversation, or to make -it general. The majority of the eminent personages whom curiosity or -the importunity of their host had gathered round the table seemed, as -it were, more or less embarrassed by their position. As for Mr. Raily -himself, he felt convinced that a repast graced almost exclusively by -princes, diplomatists, and grand seigneurs must necessarily be one of -the finest things the world had to offer. The coffee and ices were -served in one of the great drawing-rooms, and, according to a Russian -custom, which Mr. Raily had no doubt brought back with him from Moscow, -several tables were covered with jewels, precious objects, and trifles -from the many lands Mr. Raily had visited. As it happened, the display -caused the impression of a bazaar rather than that of a drawing-room -of good society. Nor did the music of a well-selected and numerous -band succeed in checking the _ennui_ and removing the constraint which -had manifestly fallen upon everybody. It was nine o’clock when we rose -from the table; at ten all these noble guests had left Mr. Raily’s. -In an adjoining drawing-room, the host had put up some whist tables, -which kept in countenance those most bored. A small group had gathered -round a tall, upright old man, with a pair of bright eyes and a skin -as dry as a chip. It was Mr. O’Bearn, who bore the reputation of being -the oldest, and was probably still the foremost, gambler in Europe. -He had made gaming the occupation of his life, his sole study; he had -lived by it, and was still living by it. He was fond of recounting -some of his gambling stories, and even his hopeless Irish accent could -not rob them of their charm. ‘For many years,’ he said, ‘the Duke of -H---- was anxious to pit himself against me. Personally, I was willing -enough to give him that little gratification. He chose piquet; we -began our game at nine in the evening, and the next morning when the -sun streamed through the windows I had gained more gold off his grace -than his father had ever gathered during his Governor-Generalship of -India. After the last hand, which was for an enormous stake, and which, -like the rest, he lost, the duke got up and said: “Mr. O’Bearn, I am -afraid the whole of my fortune will not be sufficient to pay you. I’ll -send you my steward, he’ll settle with you and hand you the titles to -my estates.” “Very well, sir,” I answered, “these are the words of an -honourable man. But do not for a moment imagine that I am going to -let you ruin yourself in that way. It shall not be said of me that I -reduced the bearer of one of our most historic names in the House of -Lords to beggary. On the other hand, as I do not wish to have wasted my -night, a thing I am not in the habit of doing, I’ll ask you to send for -a priest and for a solicitor. Before the priest you shall take an oath -never to touch another card in your life; the solicitor shall draw up -a settlement giving me a thousand pounds sterling annually for life.” -I need scarcely tell you,’ added the old gambler, ‘that my conditions -were accepted and strictly carried out. The Duke of H---- has never -touched a card since, and for nearly half a century I have been -enjoying my income.’ - -Then the veteran gamester told us another story, not less -characteristic. ‘Shortly before the Revolution, I came to Paris, and -as usual took up my quarters at the Hôtel d’Angleterre. The play was -very high there in those days. On the evening of my arrival, I went -to the drawing-room. The tables were set out, and I sat down to one -of them. Two gentlemen were playing piquet. The Duc de Gramont, who -was then the king of fashion, the type of everything that was elegant -and extravagant, took a seat opposite me. He looked very fixedly at -me, and then, intentionally or not, he said: “We hear a great deal of -Englishmen who risk enormous sums either at cards or betting. Here we -never catch sight of them.” I did not answer, and a few moments later -the game took an unexpected turn. “I’d bet on monsieur’s hands,” said -the duc, pointing to one of the players. “Very well,” I replied, “I’ll -take the other side for eight thousand pounds sterling.” “How much, -monsieur, did you say?” asked the duc. I repeated the sum in French -money, and the duc felt that he could not draw back. “I take the bet,” -he said. In another moment I was the winner: the duc rose and came -towards me, saying, “Milord----” “My name is Mr. O’Bearn,” I said; “I -have no title. What is your pleasure?” “I may not be able to discharge -this considerable sum at a moment’s notice.” “Pray do not mention -it, your grace, take your own time. But please to remember that when -I play, I always have the money handy in my valise.” A little while -afterwards, he paid me,’ Mr. O’Bearn went on, ‘and from that moment -he was perhaps a little less hasty in giving his opinions about the -English. As for me, it has always been a delightful recollection, this -deserved lesson to the Duc de Gramont.’ - -While Mr. O’Bearn was telling us his stories, the tables had gradually -become deserted, and now the small group of his listeners took their -leave on this or that pretext. We went away endeavouring to attract -no notice, asking ourselves how people could take so much trouble and -lavish so much money to arrive at a result absolutely _nil_. Each -member of this gathering had appeared to ask himself during and after -the dinner: ‘How and why am I here?’ - -‘Well, have you got the key to the puzzle?’ said Griffiths, as we were -leaving the house. ‘This man, whose opulence causes surprise even here, -where everything is pomp and splendour and extravagance--this man is -simply a gambler. We have still got in England some samples of those -characters of the bygone century. After Charles II. left to his people -the terrible gambling mania, to be a gamester became, as it were, an -avowable profession. You know all that has been said of the youth of -the Prince of Wales, of his passion for gambling, which for him had -such terrible consequences. The most deplorable effect of this passion -was to gather around his royal highness a set of people whose bow it -would have taken some courage to acknowledge outside the precincts of -Carlton House. It was sufficient to be a gambler, and what they called -a magnificent gambler, to have the doors of the royal residence thrown -open to you. These gentlemen, after the journeys they made annually -through England, much as the magistrates went on circuit each session, -as a rule took their flight thence for their European tours. They -brought back immense harvests. Mr. Raily and his guest, Mr. O’Bearn, -belong to the number. - -‘Mr. Raily was born at Bath, that city enjoying the foremost reputation -among our celebrities of fashion. Having started life with small -means, he modelled himself upon a certain Mr. Nash, his predecessor in -that career. That personage, who was called Beau Nash, was for forty -years the arbiter of all that was elegant at Bath. His authority in -that respect was boundless, and his verdicts without appeal. They -finally gave him the sobriquet of ‘the King of Bath.’ In imitation -of his master, Mr. Raily posed as the prince of the drawing-rooms -and boudoirs. He, however, soon grew weary of more or less romantic -love-adventures, and began to cast about for something more profitable. -From his native city, he went to the capitals of the United Kingdom -and then to those of Europe. He exploited them very cleverly and very -luckily. At present, he has just returned from St. Petersburg. He -has brought back from it all the gold plate you saw, the profusion -of pearls and diamonds which convey the impression of his being a -jeweller, and in addition to all this, it is said, a credit of a -million of florins at the banker Arnstein’s. All this seems, indeed, -most fabulous. Let us trust that there will not be a verification -of the old proverb: “He who wants to make a fortune in a month is -generally hanged during the first week.”’ - -Mr. Raily had a somewhat longer shrift than that, because it was fully -three years before I met with him again, and then it was in Paris. But -all his wealth was gone, and all the brilliant illusions, if ever he -fostered any, were replaced by the most sombre reality. When he called -upon me, there was no longer the confidence resulting from well-filled -pockets, but the saddening humility of an empty stomach. I had scarcely -time to question him; he forestalled my queries by telling me that -everything was gone. - -‘Furniture, plate, diamonds, your infernal “Salon des Étrangers” -has swallowed every bit of them,’ he said, and then he gave me a -description of the quickly following phases of the life of a gambler. -‘I have exhausted everything,’ he wound up; ‘look at that bracelet, -it is made of the hair of my wife; it would have gone the road of the -rest, if your pawnbrokers would have condescended to lend me a crown on -it.’ - -‘But, Mr. Raily, why did you not apply to all those celebrities you -entertained so right royally at Vienna?’ - -‘I have written to all; I have not had an answer from any.’ - -I offered him some pecuniary assistance, and a few years later I learnt -that this man whose lavishness had astonished Vienna itself at the -period of the Congress, and at whose board royalty had sat, had died of -starvation. - - * * * * * - -Since his gambling adventure I had often seen Z----ki. The disaster -and my attempts to minimise the consequences had undoubtedly drawn -us closer together. After a dinner at the ‘Empress of Austria,’ he -proposed to take me to a ball which had recently been established in a -newly-erected, magnificent building, called the Apollo Hall. In a few -moments we were on our way thither. - -Everything projected at that period in Vienna bore the grand stamp -worthy of the time and of the guests intended to be honoured. In spite -of this, to convey anything like an accurate idea of the beauty of the -new establishment would require a writer capable of reproducing some of -the chapters of the _Arabian Nights_, which delighted our youth. The -Apollo Hall, the work of M. Moreau, the French architect, is, no doubt -one of the most curious constructions of the capital of Austria. The -interior, occupying an enormous space, contained sumptuous galleries -and halls like those of a palace, and was practically in keeping with -the noble and tasteful proportions of the outside. Emerging from these -galleries, one came gently upon the rustic arbours of a garden, and -from these upon a Turkish kiosk, and further on still upon a Lapland -hut. Gravelled walks, bordered by magnificent greensward planted with -roses and fragrant plants, lent throughout a most charming variety. In -the centre of the huge supper-room, there was an immense rock, whence, -from among flowers, there sprang a fall of natural water into basins -teeming with various kinds of fish. Every style of architecture had its -ordained part in this huge space, and everything calculated to please -the eye had been brought to bear upon the enhancing of these styles; -such as, for instance, the glint of innumerable candles on thousands -of different-coloured crystal sconces. Farther on, the whole became -chastened by alabaster lamps shedding their gentle light, and inviting -the more reposeful guests. And while without the snow covered the -earth, within spring seemed to have come once more, bringing the most -delightful scent of its earliest harbingers. - -There was already a considerable crowd when we entered; it was said -there were between nine and ten thousand persons. I am bound to admit -that at no festive gathering during the Congress had I seen a more -brilliant, and at the same time a stranger throng; it was a truly -unique spectacle, a world in miniature. Gradually, every one seemed to -settle down in his wished-for place, and circulation grew more or less -easy. The first person whom I caught sight of was Zibin, promenading -with the King of Prussia. Zibin was treated in that familiar fashion by -his Majesty in virtue of his height. As he happened to be very short, -and his Majesty very tall, Zibin’s head came exactly under the king’s -arm. In spite of the discomfort of the position, my young courtier -seemed to be so thoroughly delighted with it as to have preferred it -to one on the most luxurious Eastern divan. Z----ki had left me for -some friends he had met immediately after he came in, and who were -evidently expecting him. I was looking out for some one to replace him, -when I ran up against General Tettenborn and the Prince Philippe de -Hesse-Hombourg. I always felt much at home with them. We went the round -of the whole place, and afterwards sat down at the entrance of the big -ball-room to watch at our ease the new arrivals, comprising nearly -all the sovereigns. The latter relished the liberty attached to their -_incognito_, and immeasurably preferred it to the ceremonious etiquette -of the Court entertainments of that description. In fact, in all those -public gatherings the monarchs dropped their reserve, and seemed -practically grateful to those who within certain limits would follow -their example. - -The King of Bavaria was one of the last arrivals. He was accompanied by -his two sons, and his chamberlain, the Comte Charles de Rechberg, was -in attendance. The last caught a glimpse of us, and leaving his Majesty -for a moment, came towards us. But as his duties did not allow him to -keep away for long, he pressed us to sup with him when the king should -have retired. Naturally, he used every argument he could think of, and -finally gave us a peroration which was, however, cut short by some one -pinching his ear. ‘Come along, gadabout,’ said Maximilian Joseph, and -as a matter of course, on perceiving him, we rose. ‘Don’t, gentlemen,’ -he said in his kindest voice; ‘but wherever I go I have to look after -him, while, unless I am mistaken, it’s his duty to look after me.’ - -Rechberg pleaded our unexpected meeting, and from the tone in which -the plea was allowed, it was not difficult to guess the affection -subsisting between these two men. Immediately after he had gone, Comte -de Witt appeared on the scene. ‘You can be our guide,’ he exclaimed on -seeing me. ‘You know all about the place, for you have been here at -least an hour.’ We wandered about, talking of his mother’s place in the -Ukraine, and finally landed into a kind of Chinese pagoda, where there -was a billiard table occupied by the King of Denmark and a chamberlain. -Ypsilanti hailed me as we came in, and the king on hearing my name -turned round and recognised me at once, although I had not seen him -since his accession to the throne. ‘Have you learned German since your -departure from Copenhagen?’ he asked me with a smile. - -‘No, sire, but I have not forgotten the brief lesson you were good -enough to give me.’ The king then inquired with the greatest interest -after my family, questioning me as to their whereabouts, and showing by -each of his questions that the cultivation of a good memory is one of -the foremost requisites of an amiable ruler. - -Frederick VI. was a pattern of amiability and frankness combined. He -was hail-fellow-well-met with the humblest without ever losing his -dignity, and his learning was manifold and solid. He took greater -trouble to please people than the most obtrusive courtier. Advancing -age had produced no change outwardly. He was then, as he always had -been, very slight, with a pale face, a very long nose, and hair -almost bordering on white, though in reality fair, which militated -against his appearance. It was, in fact, the same figure which some -years previously had aroused both my mirth and my fear. But while his -features reminded me of a painful circumstance of my life, they also -recalled a memorable episode, and an act of generosity and indulgence -on his part, both of which will sketch him better than a volume of -praise could do. - -‘What did you mean by talking to the king about your first German -lesson?’ asked the Comte de Witt, when his Majesty had gone. ‘I am not -surprised at his recognising you as if he had left you a week ago; as -a rule, sovereigns have excellent memories, but what about that German -lesson?’ - -‘The king has just reminded me of a circumstance the story of which -would be somewhat long. Allow me to postpone the telling of it until -to-morrow.’ - -After this we went into the great ball-room, where, mingling with -the crowd, there were kings, generals, ordinary individuals of the -middle class, and statesmen, rubbing shoulders with working men, -flirting with little shop-girls, but all seemingly very happy, notably -the illustrious personages playing at Almavivas, and evidently more -flattered by the preference of some ingenuous Rosinas than by the -studied glances of admiration from the most expert Court beauties. - -Zibin, who had succeeded in getting his head out of the royal hug of -his Majesty of Prussia, soon joined us, and I complimented him upon -the particular attention of which he had been the object. In order to -swell his pride, and give him the opportunity of having the delicate -juxtaposition renewed, I cited some of the recommendations of the -Prince de Ligne, our common master. ‘Be moderate in your praise. Kings -are no longer caught with words. The only thing to which they are not -absolutely proof is a peculiar kind of look of admiration. But that’s -all. The sort of praise so lavishly used by Lauzun would not seduce our -modern Louis XIV.’ - -In company with several ‘majesties’ we stood watching some of the -worthy knights of Vienna going through the traditional minuet. ‘Who -would believe,’ said Zibin, ‘that this dance saw the light in a -village? To watch its ponderous monotony no one would imagine that -in principle it was exceedingly bright and gay. Introduced to the -Court, its sprightliness has been changed into gravity, and now it is -sufficiently doleful to make people ill with melancholy.’ - -‘If that incomparable Prince de Ligne had not been taken away from us, -he would recall for us the minuets he danced at the Grand Trianon with -the charming Marquise de Coigny,’ said the Comte de Witt. - -‘The Prince de Ligne himself voted the minuet a bit of _stupid_ -gracefulness,’ replied Zibin. - -‘His qualification dated from the period previous to his having danced -it himself,’ I remarked. ‘I am inclined to think, with you, that they -acquitted themselves somewhat better at it at the Court of France than -they do to-day in Vienna. But be assured that the old traditions of -stately dances are not lost beyond redemption.’ - -‘But where is one to look for the traditions?’ was the general cry -around me. - -‘Well, if it will afford you any pleasure, I shall enable you to -judge’; saying which, I took a few steps to the young Princesse de -Hesse-Philippstadt, of whom I had just caught sight, accompanied by her -mother. ‘Princess,’ I said, walking up to her and holding out my hand, -‘will you do me the honour to convince these gentlemen that the Court -minuet is not altogether a lost art?’ - -The princess accepting, Zibin lent me his hat, and, mindful of the -lessons of Abraham, who had been her teacher as well as mine, we -went through the figures of that character-dance with a good deal of -precision. As for my charming partner, the suppleness and grace of her -steps might have tempted another Juan of Austria to come _incognito_ -all the way from Brussels to see her perform them, as the original one -came all the way to the Louvre for Marguerite de Bourgogne. Our critics -were not sparing in their praise, and were obliged to acknowledge that -the much-abused minuet was not as yet dethroned. - -Meanwhile, the Comte de Rechberg, who was trying to find his -supper-guests, had no idea of my upholding in the centre of the -principal ball-room the prestige of classic dancing. When I had taken -the young princess back to her mother, he, so to speak, dragged us to -the supper-room. At the table next to us were the Prince Koslowski, -Alfred and Stanislas Potocki, some Russians from Emperor Alexander’s -suite, and a little further on, Nostiltz, Borel, Palfi, and the Prince -Esterhazy. There were many toasts and many clever sallies, wit sparkled -on the lips as champagne sparkled in the glasses. - -The two princes of Bavaria supped with us. Chance had placed me near -the younger, Prince Charles, who, as a youth, had the most charming -face imaginable, although he evidently set little store on this -physiognomical advantage, and seemed rather inclined to place his trust -in the mental powers with which he was liberally endowed. Thanks to my -former stay at Munich, I was enabled to converse with him about men -and things interesting to both of us. I reminded him of that terrible -disaster of the Isar bridge being carried away by the stream, and in -which he himself under my very eyes had played so glorious a part. -Then we began talking about Vienna, its pleasures, and the charming -women gracing it at that moment, although I knew that there was a girl -of sixteen at Munich whose image could not be ousted from the young -prince’s heart. - -The Prince Royal of Bavaria, the present king, was seated next to his -father’s chamberlain. Though he was less handsome and less brilliant -than his brother, his knowledge was very profound and varied, and he -also cultivated the Muses.[99] - -With such auxiliaries, Rechberg found no difficulty in making his -supper-party very lively. Before breaking up, our company was -reinforced by the two tables next to us, and the fresh supply of liquor -being decidedly in proportion to the number of the recruits, the -retreat was not sounded until three in the morning. - -Z----ki and I got separated from each other in the crowd. As I was -crossing the by no means deserted ball-room, I caught a glimpse of -him and of a companion, a tall, slight, and elegant woman. Their -conversation seemed most animated. I waved my hand to him from the -distance, wishing him all the compensations love is supposed to reserve -for unlucky gamblers. - -In the morning, the Comte de Witt was true to his appointment. ‘You -promised to explain to me,’ he said, ‘the meaning of his Majesty -of Denmark’s words about your progress in the German language.’ -‘You know,’ I replied, ‘that often a word, a movement, or a simple -inflection of a voice suddenly recalls scenes of our life which had -practically vanished from our memory. The past starts up vividly with -all its colours; the impressions that had gone to sleep awaken there -and then, and their power is such as to give a kind of voluptuous or -sensuous delight in retracing the most painful episodes and the most -cruel losses. Nay, the very tears caused by these seem sweet. That’s -what I felt yesterday. - -‘During the course of the French Revolution, my father, or the one who -stood me in stead, had constantly refused to emigrate. Proscribed for -being guilty of (the wrong) patriotism and devotion, he only managed -to save his head from the guillotine by hiding in a friend’s house. -When the delirium of blood was over, he considered himself justified -in claiming his nationality, which he had never forsaken by abandoning -his country. But placed once more on the fatal lists of _émigrés_, -pursued by blind and relentless hatred, once more proscribed after 18th -Fructidor, he was obliged to fly in order to escape an equally horrible -death. We managed to get as far as Hamburg, where we experienced -all the privations attached to that kind of voluntary and hurriedly -projected exile. Invited by the Comte de Fersen to come to Sweden, we -left the Hanseatic city, and made our way on foot across the flats of -Holstein to Copenhagen. Our exceedingly restricted resources did not -admit of any other mode of travelling. - -‘My “father,” at the period of his tenure of the portfolio of Foreign -Affairs, had been most intimate with the Comte de Lowendahl in -Paris, and he welcomed us with every mark of goodwill. In his former -diplomatic relations with Denmark my “father” had been enabled to make -himself particularly agreeable to that Court, and on the strength -of this he ventured to request from the prince royal some pecuniary -assistance, urgently needed in consequence of our precarious position. -The comte offered to present me to his royal highness and to second -our petition as far as lay in his power. On the day previous to the -promised audience, I was strolling by myself in the park of the royal -residence, Fredericksborg. At the bend of a path, I suddenly caught -sight of a young man dressed in light grey, skipping about rather than -walking, carrying an umbrella under one arm, the other being held by a -very pretty young woman. The face of the young man seemed so peculiar -to me that, my French levity and my schoolboy gaiety getting the better -of me, I stopped to contemplate him at my case, and immediately a -fit of uncontrollable laughter ringing out loud informed him of the -result of my examination. His angry look ought to have told me of his -resentment of this impertinent scrutiny on my part, but the angrier he -got the more ridiculous his face became to me, and my insolent laughter -did not cease until the couple were fairly out of sight. - -‘Next morning, on the recommendation of the Comte de Lowendahl, I was -to have my audience at the palace. The guards let me pass, and in a -little while, crossing a series of resplendent galleries, I reached a -velvet curtain giving access to a drawing-room. A page-in-waiting led -me into the throne-room, adjoining the private audience-chamber of the -prince, and then, my petition in my hand, I waited to be admitted to -his royal highness’s presence. In a few moments the doors were thrown -open, and a chamberlain called out my name and beckoned me across the -threshold. All at once, at the end of the apartment, I beheld, standing -upright, the young man I had so grossly insulted the previous day. -There could be no mistake about it. It was the same face, the same -grey Court dress, but the embroidered star on his breast and his wide -blue sash left no doubt about his being the Prince Royal of Denmark. -I need not try to depict my feelings to you. Struck with terror, as -if I had stepped on a serpent, I recalled both my unseemly laughter -and the anger it had aroused. Standing stock-still, and undecided -whether I ought to advance or retreat, I was almost expecting immediate -punishment for my ill-timed levity of the previous day. I cannot say -how long I should have remained in this position, notwithstanding the -repeated signals of the chamberlain to draw closer to his highness. -Luckily, the young girl to whom the prince had given his arm the -previous day, and who was none other than his charming sister, the -Princesse d’Augustembourg, just then crossed the room on her way to the -inner apartments of her brother. More or less reassured by her angelic -face. I practically followed in her footsteps, trusting to make her, as -it were, a shield against a stern reprisal, which, in our condition, -would have absolutely filled the cup of our misfortunes. - -‘Crimson with confusion and with drooping eyes, I tremblingly held out -the petition given to me by my “father.” The prince looked fixedly -at me and undoubtedly recognised me, but not a muscle of his face -testified as much. On the contrary, he attentively read the document, -then handing it to his sister he said, “One more victim of that French -Revolution.” - -‘After that he asked for some particulars about our situation, and -equally kindly inquired about our resources and plans. Emboldened by -his kind tone, I told him all we had suffered since our departure from -France, our painful pilgrimage across Germany, our intention to get to -Sweden, and our hope of securing the goodwill of the Comte de Fersen in -my “father’s” behalf. - -‘The princess had listened with the utmost attention to the recital -of our misfortunes. When I came to the description of the journey on -foot and to the enumeration of all our privations, the prince asked me, -“But, no doubt, you know German?” “Alas, no,” I was obliged to answer, -“and that’s what made our travels so terrible.” “Poor child,” said the -princess, “you are somewhat too young to have suffered so much, and -those dreary roads across our sandy plains must have seemed wellnigh -endless to you.” - -‘There were tears in her voice as she asked me other questions about -my family, my education, and recollections of my country. The prince -himself had meanwhile written some words on my petition. “I’ll reply -to-morrow to your father,” he said, returning the document to me. “If -you will go from here to my ‘privy purse office,’ they’ll give you a -hundred golden Fredericks, which will enable you to proceed a little -more comfortably.” “And I, monsieur,” added the princess, “I wish you -every happiness; but should you fail to find some of it in Sweden, -return to Denmark for an asylum, and you will, at any rate, find rest.” - -‘The prince called his chamberlain to intimate that the interview was -at an end, and told him to take me to his treasury. You may imagine -that this lesson of a prince thus avenging himself for the impertinence -of a stranger was not lost upon me. Young though I was, I promised -myself never to give way again to such exhibitions of offensive -hilarity, and I have kept my word.’ - -‘I can see the lesson in politeness,’ said the Comte de Witt, ‘but I -fail to see the lesson in German.’ - -‘I am coming to it. A few days later, my “father” booked our passage -for Stockholm, but contrary winds delayed our departure. In the night -of the 2nd April 1802, we were suddenly awakened by the noise of a -well-sustained bombardment. Naturally, we all got out of bed and -went on deck to make inquiries. The slowly-coming dawn confirmed our -uncertainty. The whole of the English fleet, under the command of -Admirals Parker and Nelson, and favoured by the wind and tide, had -defied the batteries of Kronenburg and forced the passage of the Sound, -an enterprise hitherto deemed impossible. The formidable squadron, -perfectly visible from the city which it could shatter to pieces, came -to summon Denmark to give up her fleet or to dissolve there and then -her treaty with Sweden and Russia. - -‘Consternation became general among us; it only wanted a sign from the -English admiral to capture or to sink us. Nelson scorned such a cheap -victory, and during the _pourparlers_ sloops were sent to tug in the -merchant craft. A few moments later we were in port, and immediately -afterwards the naval engagement began. If the attack was headlong and -well-directed, the defence was not less heroic. Every inhabitant rushed -to arms to repulse the odious aggression; all ranks commingled; there -seemed no difference between noble and artisan, merchant and ordinary -burgher. They were full of zeal; their hats displayed the motto: “All -for one; one for all.” The royal prince showed the greatest courage -during this bloody struggle, a struggle so little expected by him. A -descendant in a direct line from the English sovereign, his capital and -fleet were suddenly threatened by the orders of his uncle without there -having been anything hostile to lead up to this catastrophe. As far as -the peace of states is concerned, there does not seem much to be gained -by family alliances and ties of blood. - -‘It would have been dangerous not to take part in this enthusiastic -resistance, and the moment we had regained our inn I asked my “father” -to let me have my share of the fighting, to which proposal he offered -not the slightest objection. Armed with a sword which might well have -dated from the period of King Knut, which had been lent to me by our -hostess, I repaired to the jetty. It was from that point I beheld a -naval battle in port, the most horrible spectacle, I should say, the -imagination could conceive. - -‘Never had Denmark been engaged in such a murderous struggle; never, -perhaps, had the Danes an occasion to display their national courage -more nobly. Ardent and indefatigable, to judge by the enthusiasm that -animated them, they might easily have been mistaken for a population of -heroes. As for me, standing stock-still at the far end of the jetty, -my long sword, which might well have served as a lance, balanced on -my shoulder, I felt that I was doing outpost duty. No one seemed -surprised. Younger lads than I contended for the honour of being -entrusted with such perilous positions. - -‘The city was in flames; it rained shells everywhere. The Danish -war-sloops answered bravely to the fire of the English vessels. -Suddenly a shell struck the Danish craft _Indfoedstretten_, and blew it -up. A horrid, lurid light illuminated the sky, and immediately both the -sea and the shore were covered with human and different wreckage, the -blood of the former tinging the green waves. Had the explosion occurred -a few moments earlier we also should have been victims of it, for while -they were towing our Dutch vessel into port, we had been compelled to -go on board the _Indfoedstretten_ to have our passports examined. - -‘Meanwhile, the fighting became more terrible and relentless, and -I, scarcely more than a lad, stood looking on, rooted to the spot -and spell-bound, when suddenly some one tapped me on the shoulder, -addressing me in German at the same time. I looked round and beheld the -prince royal, who, in the confusion of the moment, had got separated -from his suite. He still had his grey dress on. When he recognised me, -he addressed me in French. “What are you doing here?” he asked. “I -am trying to acquit part of my debt, monseigneur,” I answered. “Very -well,” he retorted; “try to get this paper to Captain Albert Turach. -Look, follow my finger. He is standing there on the shore, ready to -take the command of a floating battery. Run as fast as you can, and -remember the word _Augenblicklich_.” - -‘“How did you say it, prince?”’ - -‘“_Augenblicklich._ It signifies instanter. You’ll simply tell him the -word, and hand him my order.”’ - -‘I was already on the run. Turach received the order, and flung himself -into a skiff whose men were only waiting for a leader to push off. -When I came back to my former vantage-point, the prince royal was -gone. I noticed him on a floating battery, whence he contemplated the -action and animated by his presence and example the proud and generous -populace ready to give their lives under his eyes. To me personally, -the sight of this young and valiant prince was practically a second -expiation of my mocking laughter in the park of Fredericksborg. - -‘I need not remind you of the results of that action; the Danes covered -themselves with glory, but the slaughter was terrible. More than six -thousand men perished in it. The city was burning in ever so many -places. Burghers, soldiers, students harnessed themselves to the pumps, -carried barrels of water, and unsuccessfully tried to extinguish the -flames. Finally, Nelson, to stop the bloodshed, and to prevent the -wholesale destruction of Copenhagen, sent a _parlementaire_ to the -prince royal. - -‘The prince promptly sent his reply, and at once the sanguinary drama, -which had the port and the city as its _locale_, ceased. Nelson came on -shore, and repaired to the palace between two lines of an exasperated -populace. Calm and proud, he walked along as if he were still on his -own battleship. Following in his footsteps, I managed to elbow my -way through the crowd, and succeeded in getting inside the private -apartments. The prince royal took Nelson to his father, whose mental -state, however, prevented him from knowing and from appreciating the -disasters of the capital. - -‘There was no alternative but to accept the conditions imposed by -England. The offensive and defensive treaty between Denmark, Sweden, -and Russia was rescinded. The prince royal showed himself as noble and -dignified during the conferences as he had shown himself courageous and -resourceful during the battle. - -‘Since then Frederick has ascended the throne, and though, by the side -of the vast kingdoms that have sprung up, Denmark can scarcely claim to -be more than a magnificent, lordly domain, enhanced by a royal crown, -all these various events have not impaired the excellent prince’s -memory. You noticed for yourself how he remembered an apparently -frivolous circumstance, but one which remains indelible in my mind.’ - - - - -CHAPTER XV - - Religious Ceremony for the Anniversary of the Death of Louis - XVI.--Reception at Talleyrand’s--Discussion on the Subject - of Saxony and Poland--The Order of the Day of the Grand-Duke - Constantine--A Factum of Pozzo di Borgo--A Sleighing-Party - --Entertainment and Fête at Schönbrunn--Prince Eugène-- - Recollections of Queen Hortense--The Empress Marie-Louise at - the Valley of St. Helena--Second Sleighing-Party--A Funeral. - - -An important ceremony put a stop to all these entertainments. -Twenty-two years had gone by since the ill-fated Louis XVI. lost his -head on the scaffold, and his memory had not as yet received the -expiation of a solemn and public mourning. At the moment when all those -kings were working in unison for the pacification of Europe, they could -scarcely refrain from protesting by a ceremonious manifestation against -a fact which, causing all their thrones to shake on their bases, -seems to have been virtually the signal of all these disastrous wars. -Consequently, when Talleyrand, as the head of the French Legation, -invited the consent of the Austrian government to a memorial service -on the anniversary of the fatal twenty-first of January, his request -was granted with a kind of melancholy zeal. Nay, more, Emperor Francis -made a point of having the service celebrated in the Cathedral of St. -Stephen, so that it might be marked by extraordinary pomp, and that its -expenses should devolve upon the imperial treasury. - -MM. Isabey and Moreau were entrusted with the plans and preparations -for the ceremony. In accordance with the emperor’s wish, the former -displayed the greatest magnificence, and that funereal pomp inseparable -from the obsequies of kings. In the centre of the old Basilica there -stood a baldachin sixty feet high, and ornamented with all the insignia -of royalty. Four colossal statues, placed at the four corners of a -cenotaph, represented respectively France, dissolved in tears; Europe, -contributing its meed of regret; Hope, guiding the soul of the virtuous -monarch to the abode of everlasting bliss; and Religion, holding in -her hand that last will, the sublime model of charity and pardon. The -nave of the cathedral was entirely covered with one immense hanging of -black, richly embroidered with silver. From each pillar was suspended -the scutcheon of the House of France. Numberless wax candles and tapers -shed a dazzling light across those sombre walls, closed to the orb of -day. - -A stand, entirely draped with black velvet, embellished with silver -fringe, had been prepared for the sovereigns. The nave and the choir -were reserved for the specially invited guests, and the lateral parts -of the sacred building for the public. - -Long before the hour fixed for the ceremony an immense crowd blocked -up the approaches to the Gothic fane. Every Frenchman in Vienna, no -matter what his rank, had received an invitation, and not one failed. -The Knights of the Golden Fleece and the ambassadors in full Court -dress occupied the foremost rows of the choir. Behind them were all the -notabilities, all the princely guests, and the authorities of the city -of Vienna. A detachment of the regiments of the Guards and another of -the Hungarian Nobiliary Guard were on duty round the catafalque, as -at the funeral of emperors. Emperor Francis himself intended this as -the highest expression of his personal sentiments. In the nave stood a -considerable number of ladies attired in mourning and wrapped in long -crape veils. - -At eleven o’clock a blast of trumpets heralded the arrival of the -Emperor Francis, the Emperor of Russia, the Kings of Prussia, Bavaria -and Denmark; of the Queen and of the Empress of Russia. The Empress -of Austria, confined to the palace by ill-health, was the only one -absent from the ceremony. The Prince Léopold de Sicile, as the only -member of the House of Bourbon, and M. de la Tour du Pin stood at the -portals of the cathedral and conducted the sovereigns to the imperial -stand. Immediately afterwards, the celebration began. In spite of -his eighty-four years, the venerable Archbishop of Vienna, Prince de -Hohenwarth, had made it a point to officiate. A profound respect, an -intense and reverent emotion, pervaded the immense assembly at the -sight of the royal sarcophagus and of the white-haired priest praying -for divine pity on the virtuous monarch. It would be difficult to guess -the feelings of all those monarchs, reverently prostrated not far from -the catafalque, recalling such a great misfortune and such a great -event in the history of France. All were more or less related to the -illustrious house of France, the most ancient of Europe. - -M. Zaiguelius, vicar of Sainte-Anne in Vienna, and of French origin, -delivered an address in French, noticeable for its many beauties, and -some people pretended that M. Talleyrand was not altogether a stranger -to its composition. The text was, ‘Let the earth know the fear of -the name of the Lord.’ In this very remarkable address, the speaker -was particularly anxious to show the hand of God, which raises up -and overthrows thrones. Then, after the prayers for Louis XVI. and -Marie-Antoinette, he concluded by reciting the principal passages -of the will, which has rightly been called the most heroic code of -charity. This was, in fact, the most beautiful funeral oration of Louis -XVI., and when M. Zaiguelius descended from the pulpit there was not a -dry eye in the place. After this, two hundred and fifty voices sang, -without accompaniment, the ‘Requiem,’ composed by Neukomm, a pupil of -Haydn. The musicians had been reinforced by amateurs; they constituted -two separate choirs, of which one was conducted by Salieri, the -Director of the Imperial Music. Its effect was admirable. Listened to -with the most reverential silence, the hymn of sorrow seemed less a -prayer addressed to Heaven for a virtuous victim than a sequel to the -sublime words of pardon to which we had just listened. The cost of this -funereal solemnity amounted to nearly a hundred thousand florins, and -was entirely defrayed by the Austrian Court. - -An express order of the emperor had suspended for that day all the -ordinary entertainments. During the evening there was positively a -crowd in M. de Talleyrand’s drawing-rooms. Everything was most sedate, -as usual, for political discussions were the order of the day there -rather than those connected with fêtes and gaiety. The Polish question -was more than ever to the fore, and apparently as far as ever from -being settled. The incorporation of Poland with his empire had been -the ardent aspiration of Alexander from the very beginning of the -Congress of Vienna. Supported in that claim by the King of Prussia, -to whom, as a set-off, he sacrificed and abandoned Saxony, he had not -reckoned upon any particular resistance; but it became manifest at the -very outset of the discussions that there would be a lively opposition -to this dual spoliation and the kind of bargain it involved. In the -matter of Saxony, both Metternich and Talleyrand strenuously opposed -the overthrow of a prince sincerely beloved by his subjects, and who -during forty years had honoured the throne by his uprightness and by -a combination of many virtues. These two statesmen fostered the hope -that by denying Saxony to Prussia they would contribute to a rupture -between the czar and King Frederick William; and that in consequence of -this the Congress would be enabled to cut an independent Polish kingdom -out of the Grand Duchy of Warsaw. England, which in principle seemed -favourable to the pretensions of Russia and Prussia, had, however, been -persuaded by the arguments of the Austrian Minister and his French -colleague, and had taken sides with them. The discussion became very -envenomed, in spite of the kindly efforts of Prince Razumowski. It was -during one of those stormy conferences that the Grand-Duke Constantine -became very angry with M. de ----. Finally, during another sitting, -Alexander, addressing Lord Castlereagh, had not scrupled to affirm that -at his voice eight millions of Poles would not hesitate to arise in -order to sustain the independence of their country.[100] - -Behind this question of Poland there loomed, however, another question -much more important and far-reaching for European equilibrium. Napoleon -had as yet not uttered the famous words, that before fifty years Europe -would be French or Cossack. But already many far-seeing minds had -become alarmed, and not without reason, at seeing Russia assuming the -mastership on the Vistula. With the object of ‘forcing her back towards -her inhospitable climate,’ and of plucking Poland from her domination, -Austria, France, and England made a secret treaty on the 10th of -January 1815. Talleyrand’s influence had determined that compact, for -he already inclined towards an English alliance, to the realisation -of which he looked so hard fifteen years later. That self-same treaty -which the ministers of Louis XVIII. left behind them at the time of -their flight on the 26th March 1815, and which Napoleon promptly -sent to Alexander, was the cause of Alexander’s resentment against -Talleyrand, which was never overcome. It was one of the causes which, -after the second Restoration, kept the French diplomatist away from the -ministry and from public affairs. - -Nevertheless, it was supposed that the Grand-Duke Constantine, who had -left Vienna in deference to his brother and master’s will, was only -occupied with reviews and manœuvres, the supposedly exclusive objects -of his passion. Nobody thought of war, and everybody ardently desired -peace. Suddenly there came to Vienna a proclamation addressed by the -Grand-duke to the Polish nation, which was tantamount to an appeal to -arms. This strange manifesto was composed as follows:-- - - ‘To the Polish Army.--His Majesty the Emperor Alexander, your - powerful protector, appeals to you by this. Gather round your - standards, take up arms to defend your country and to maintain - your political existence. While this august monarch prepares the - happy future of your country, show the world that you are ready - to sustain his whole efforts with the price of your blood. The - same chiefs who during the last twenty years have led you on the - road to glory will know how to lead you thither once more. The - emperor is fully cognisant of your valour; amidst many disasters - of a most fatal war he has seen your honour survive events which - in no wise depended upon you. Signal feats of arms conferred - distinction upon you in a struggle the motive of which was foreign - to you; at present, when your efforts are directly devoted to - your country, you will be invincible. Soldiers and warriors of - all arms, be ye the first to give the example of all the virtues - which should inspire your countrymen. A boundless devotion to the - emperor, who has no other aim than the welfare of your country, - an unalterable love for his august person; obedience, discipline, - and courage--these are the means to ensure the prosperity of your - country, which is under the ægis of the emperor. It is only by - those means that you can attain the happy situation which others - may promise you, but which he alone can bestow. His power and his - virtues will be the guarantee of it to you.’ - -Two points in this document, more than any other, aroused profound -astonishment. The Grand-duke, in inciting the Poles to rally around -his brother the emperor, in soliciting their devotion to his person, -forestalled, as it were, the supreme decision of the Congress. The -question was practically pending before the sovereign tribunal, no -decision whatsoever had been taken, nevertheless Constantine virtually -proclaimed his brother the Protector of Poland. Secondly, what -construction was to be placed on those threats of war, on that appeal -to arms, when the whole of Europe was ostentatiously looking at the -consolidation of a general appeasement? Against whom, then, were the -Poles, guided by the Russians, to take up arms? Against the other -Powers, who refused them their independence? Did Constantine in reality -flatter himself that he was imposing upon the Poles and hoodwinking -them by garbling the truth? Could she (Poland) be blinded by those -protestations in favour of her nationality? - -Since the proclamation, denied for a moment, had acquired the stamp -of authenticity, the discussion provoked by it stifled all others. In -Talleyrand’s drawing-room it was the subject of all conversations. He -was known to be a partisan of Saxony and Poland. It was also known -that, together with Metternich, he was the soul of that far-seeing and -imperturbable resistance to Russian projects. - -‘Have you read a statement drawn up by M. Pozzo di Borgo in connection -with Poland?’ said M. L---- to a group surrounding him. ‘The political -world is very much concerned about it. The author aims to show that, -for many reasons, this country must not be granted its independence, -but must be entirely incorporated with Russia.’ - -‘It is but natural,’ was the answer, ‘that M. Pozzo di Borgo should -have posed as the enemy of both the principles and the person of -Napoleon. This is easily conceivable and easily explicable by allowing -for the poison of the Corsican vendetta, which becomes an heirloom -from generation to generation. In his country hatred is a family -inheritance: God alone knows how far it goes back and where it will -end. But what has that ill-fated nation done to M. Pozzo that he should -oppose the good-will shown towards her here?’ - -‘M. Pozzo defends the cause of the country which adopted him. Employed -by Russia, he has become a Russian.’ - -‘But is not this carrying devotion to ingratitude? Is it possible, -then, that the recollection of past benefits is denied to the political -writer to such a degree as to make M. Pozzo forget that Prince Adam -Czartoryski virtually “picked him up” on his arrival in Russia; that -he took him and, as it were, guided him to that temple the first -steps of which he aspired to ascend? When M. Pozzo came back from -Constantinople, where his efforts to ingratiate himself with Admiral -Siniavin had been paralysed either by the intrigues or by the real -merit of M. le Comte Capo d’Istria, he was bound to make up at St. -Petersburg for the check he had received at the Bosphorus by a fresh -attempt. Prince Adam was, for the travelling diplomatic apprentice, -a veritable godsend. To write a diatribe against the country of the -prince is tantamount to attacking his own star. From a political point -of view it is, perhaps, very clever. I scarcely care to ask what it is -from an ethical point.’ - -‘You know that M. Pozzo claims the priority of the idea of having -directed the march of the allied armies on Paris?’ - -‘Yes; but it is also said that after the event the claim was preferred -by the other prophets. If it had failed, there would doubtless be fewer -oracles to-day.’ - -‘Well, it is probable that M. Pozzo will go very far before we have -finished with him. To succeed in politics, one must forget family and -country, tread underfoot gratitude, stifle the dearest affections, deny -the principles of one’s life, and at that price only glory and success -come within one’s grasp.’ - -An untoward fate seemed to dog the sleighing-party projected by the -Austrian Court. It had been postponed several times in consequence -of a change of temperature. One day the cold seemed to promise for -the next the hard and polished surface necessary to those northern -chariots, then a thaw would set in and soften the layer of ice spread -on the earth. Finally, a downright frost began, preceded by an abundant -snowfall, and the imperial promenade was once more fixed. From early -morning an immense crowd gathered on the Josef Platz, where the -sleighs were to meet. Nearly all had been refurbished; those intended -for the emperors and sovereigns were in the form of a _calèche_, and -were decorated with a taste and lavishness productive of the happiest -results. They sparkled with the brightest colours, enhanced with -gold. The cushions, of emerald-coloured velvet, were trimmed with -fringe of the same metal. The harness, displaying the scutcheon of the -imperial house, was hung with silver bells. The sleighs of the high -personages of the Congress and of the Austrian nobility vied both in -richness and elegance with those of the sovereigns: silk, velvet, and -gilding everywhere, while every sleigh was drawn by horses of price, -caparisoned with tiger skins and rich furs, their flowing manes plaited -with knots and ribbons. They were with difficulty kept in hand, the -tinkling of the bells rendering them more spirited than usual, and -anxious to get away with the light loads behind them. - -While awaiting the signal to start, the privileged promenaders had -forgathered within the Imperial Palace. At two o’clock the order was -given, and the illustrious company came down, taking their seats, -the sovereigns in accordance with the rule of precedence prevailing -in their case, the others according to the rank determined by mere -chance. To each cavalier a lady is assigned by lot as his companion on -the road. A blast of trumpets is heard, and the procession begins its -march. - -A detachment of cavalry comes forward, preceding the sergeants and -sergeants’ caterers of the Court, mounted on richly caparisoned -cattle. They are followed by an immense sleigh drawn by six horses and -containing an orchestra of kettledrums and trumpets. The grand equerry, -Trauttmansdorff, on horseback, and followed by his men-at-arms, comes -afterwards, then immediately after that, the sleighs of the sovereigns. -The first sleigh is that of the Emperor of Austria, piloting the -charming Elizabeth of Russia. In the second was Emperor Alexander with -the Princesse d’Auersberg; then came the King of Prussia with the -Comtesse Julie Zichy, the King of Denmark with the Grande-Duchesse de -Saxe-Weimar, and the Grand-Duke of Baden with the grand-mistress of the -Court, the Comtesse Lazanski. Twenty-four young pages, richly dressed -in mediæval costumes, and a squadron of the Hungarian Nobiliary Guards -provided the escort for the sovereigns’ sledges. - -The Empress of Russia was wrapped in a large coat of green velvet -lined with ermine; on her head she wore a toque of the same colour -with an aigrette of diamonds similar to that usually worn by the great -Catherine. The other ladies were equally provided against the cold with -velvet coats of the richest colours; the Grande-Duchesse de Weimar’s -being pink, also trimmed with ermine, a fur which in Austria is -exclusively reserved for personages of royal blood. The other colours -such as purple and amaranth were all relieved by the rarest and most -elegant furs. - -Then came the other sledges, to the number of thirty, holding the -principal Court personages and the princely guests for whom this -entertainment had been projected. The procession crossed the city -at only a walking pace, thus enabling the crowd to recognise and to -salute those who in a little while will be carried away at a gallop. -The Archeduc Palatine has by his side the Grande-Duchesse d’Oldenbourg -wrapped in a blue velvet mantle, the shade of which blends most -happily with her charming face. Behind these the Prince Royal of -Würtemberg has for his companion the Princesse de Lichtenstein. -Handsome though his companion is, he does not take his eyes off the -sleigh containing the woman he worships, and he looks as if inclined -to quarrel with fate for having served him so niggardly. Our charming -‘queen,’ as we call the Comtesse Fuchs, has fallen to the lot of the -Prince Guillaume de Prusse. The Prince Léopold de Sicile is with the -Princesse Lubomirska, the Prince Eugène with Mme. Apponyi, the Prince -Royal de Bavière with the Comtesse Sophie Zichy, the Archeduc Charles -with the Comtesse Esterhazy, the Prince Auguste de Prusse with the -Comtesse Batthyany, the Comte François Zichy with Lady Castlereagh, the -Comte de Wurbna with the Comtesse Walluzen, the Duc de Saxe-Cobourg -with the handsome Rosalie Rzewuska. The dresses of all those ladies -were elegant beyond description; the men wore Polish coats trimmed with -the most beautiful fur. - -After that followed a squadron of grooms wearing the imperial livery; -then the procession was closed by several reserve sleighs and another -huge six-horsed sledge carrying a band dressed in Turkish uniforms and -playing warlike tunes. After having slowly traversed the principal -streets of Vienna, the procession ranges itself in two lines, and at a -signal the horses start at a gallop on the road to Schönbrunn. - -In a few moments, the magnificent line of sleighs reaches its first -stage. As, however, there had been some slight contretemps with -those frail ‘turn-outs,’ there was a half-way halt near the monument -erected to King John Sobieski for his deliverance of Austria. It is a -triangular pyramid constructed on the very spot where the Grand Vizier -Kara-Mustapha had erected his tent during the siege. When the brilliant -string of sleighs had vanished from our eyes, there was a unanimous -cry of admiration from the numerous spectators at the unique beauty of -the sight. The fact of so many illustrious personages being brought -to the spot was considered as worthy of admiration as the magnificence -and pomp displayed by the Austrian Court and noblesse. Of course it -required a solemn function like the Congress to rally so many crowned -heads, celebrities of all kinds, and remarkable women. It was, indeed, -a picture which for many centuries will not be repeated. - -The Empress of Austria, the King and Queen of Bavaria, besides several -other personages in far from robust health, who feared the cold, had -gone to Schönbrunn in closed carriages. A magnificent fête had been -prepared and many invitations issued. The return was to take place -at night and by torchlight. After the banquet to which all those who -made up the sleighing party were invited, the principal Viennese -actors presented one of the prettiest pieces of the French stage, the -_Cendrillon_ of M. Étienne, which had been translated into German. A -grand ball was to wind up the entertainment. The Prince Koslowski, the -Comte de Witt, and I repaired betimes to Schönbrunn. - -The sleighs on their arrival formed into a circle around the frozen -lake of Schönbrunn, which was like a polished mirror, and was covered -by skaters in the most elegant costumes of the various countries of -Northern Europe. The scene was very animated, with the various sledges -in the shape of swans, gondolas, etc., and reminded one of a Dutch -kermesse, especially in respect to the itinerant vendors of fortifying -drinks patronised by the energetic performers. The picture was in -reality unique in virtue of the various servants in livery, both on -foot and on horseback, and the sleighs of the Court itself, not to -mention the enormous crowds of spectators who had come all the way from -Vienna. - -A young man attached to the English embassy, Sir Edward W----, a member -of the London skating-club, and accustomed to astonish the promenaders -in Hyde Park on the Serpentine, executed some wonderful feats in the -way of figures, pirouettes, and single and double curling. Like the -Chevalier de St. George, who on the pond at Versailles traced the name -of Marie-Antoinette, Sir Edward traced the monograms of the queens, -the empresses, and other female celebrities, who left their sleighs -to admire his skill. Others, less perfect than he, no doubt, but very -skilful nevertheless, performed Chinese and European dances, including -a waltz. The latter was danced by two Dutch ladies in the picturesque -dresses of Saardam milkmaids, to the applause and admiration of -everybody. - -I may dispense with a description of the theatre: it was dazzling as -usual, but the aspect of the adjacent rooms was truly delightful. The -rarest plants of the imperial green-houses--myrtles, orange-trees in -full bloom--hid the walls of the staircases, the vestibules, and the -ball-rooms; it was a decoration all the more appreciated in virtue -of the temperature outside. After the performance of _Cendrillon_, -to which some gracefully designed ballets had been added, the crowd -repaired to those drawing-rooms, where the perfume and the variety of -the flowers reminded us of the most clement season of the year. They -only went through a few polonaises. - -‘I am bound to admit,’ said Comte de Witt, ‘that this sleighing party -has been a beautiful, marvellous, and elegant affair, even to us -Russians, who are accustomed to that kind of magnificence. I also admit -that this fête, recalling as it does the spring, is equally worthy of -the rest. In truth, at the pace we are proceeding with our amusements, -it will not be surprising if surfeit breed disgust. Nevertheless, in -order to add something new to all that has been offered to us, and -to complete this winter fête, they ought to have constructed on the -Schönbrunn lake a palace of ice to receive and entertain our royal -company.’ - -‘Entirely of ice, general?’ - -‘Yes, like that which Empress Anne constructed on the Neva. But you, -who have lived in St. Petersburg, did you never hear of that fête?’ - -‘No.’ - -‘There was at Anne’s Court a Prince de G----, who had practically -become its jester. The empress wished to get him married, and they -chose him a wife more or less likely to fall in with his eccentric -habits. In order fitly to celebrate the nuptials, they constructed, as -I told you, a palace of ice on the Neva. The columns, the walls, the -wainscoting, the furniture in the interior, such as the tables, the -lustres, and even the bed of the newly-married couple, was absolutely -of frozen water, shaped by cunning artificers. In order to give -more variety to this extraordinary construction, blocks of coloured -chiselled ice had been employed in the ornamentation of the structure. -When sumptuous carpets had been spread in the apartments, and thousands -of wax tapers had been lighted, the Court repaired in sleighs to -this fantastic place, and the fête commenced. Cossack dances to the -strangest music were performed, then there was a supper, partaken of by -ever so many guests. In the midst of the banquet four Cossacks brought -in with great pomp a whole ox with gilded horns, which had been roasted -on the ice in the court of the palace. After having made the round of -the table, this monstrous roast was given to the servants. Then came -the moment for putting the newly-married couple to bed; the signal was -given with a salvo of artillery from ordnance made of ice. - -‘Up to that moment everything had gone well with poor G---- and his -wife. But when they had been undressed and put to bed, and the ice -began to melt around them, their gestures and countenances were not in -the least expressive of the tender passion, whether hallowed or not. -And as, according to ancient usage, all this was taking place in the -presence of the Court, they did not dare to leave their couch, and -were by no means pleased with this bit of imperial recreation. Save -the wedding-ceremony, however, the tradition of this extraordinary and -magnificent palace has been kept up to the present day, and I am sorry -the members of the fêtes-committee did not revive the spectacle of an -immense castle built of ice.’ - -While Comte de Witt was telling me all this, I had caught sight -of Prince Eugène by himself, and I went up to him. With his usual -kindness, he reminded me of my not having been to see him for a long -while, although we had frequently met at our friend Comtesse Laura’s. -Wherever Prince Eugène was compelled to appear, his calm dignity -never forsook him; and in spite of his equivocal situation at Vienna, -he made many, many friends. I have already touched upon Emperor -Alexander’s sincere affection for him, a friendship redounding to the -honour of the deposed prince and the powerful emperor. This friendship -and interest of the czar extended to Queen Hortense. Knowing her -impulsive disposition, and how much she stood in need now and again of -disinterested advice, Alexander had despatched to Paris a diplomatic -agent, named Boutiakine, with the mission to take care of her, and to -guide her in all things. - -Eugène had just received some letters from this cherished sister, who -appeared to have inherited all the feminine graces of her mother. -Hortense fully unbosomed her griefs, which at that moment were very -poignant. The family dissensions, the death of her mother, the threat -of being deprived of her children, everything seemed to aggravate the -loss of her brilliant position. The prince, in mentioning all these, -could scarcely restrain his emotion; and from that moment I promised -myself to make those confidences a passport to the friendship of the -woman to whom the loss of a crown seemed the least of sorrows. My wish -was realised later on, not in Paris, as I had hoped, but in the spot -which at the time served her as an asylum. It was in 1819, when she was -in exile. I had just returned from Poland, where I had spent several -years, and was preparing to go back to France. Being at Augsburg, I was -informed that she, who no longer bore any other title than that of the -Duchesse de Saint-Leu, was living there. In days gone by she had set -some of my romances to music. The latter circumstance, together with -the good-will shown to me by her brother during the Congress of Vienna, -emboldened me to request the honour of being presented to her; her -immediate answer virtually enhanced the favour accorded. - -At that time I only knew Queen Hortense by repute, and from the -frequent allusions to her made by her brother; but from the very first -it seemed to me that I was meeting with an old friend after a long -absence, and that I was indebted for her cordial welcome to the bonds -of an old friendship. Everything in her harmonised perfectly--the sweet -expression of her features, her conversation, the gentleness of her -voice and of her character. Every kind and affectionate word that fell -from her lips was all the more precious, inasmuch as it was dictated -solely by her heart; she imparted such animation to her pictures as to -imbue the spectator with the idea of being an actor in, or at least -a looker-on at, the real scene. She had a kind of personal magic in -communicating information and in fascinating those with whom she came -in contact, and that artless power of seduction took deep root in -people’s hearts. - -It was during the short moments of a confidential conversation that -I was enabled to judge of her absolutely genuine qualities. She was -deeply moved at all the memories of the past, but one idea--the -insatiable craving for another glimpse of France, seemed uppermost. - -During the evening tea was served. ‘It’s a custom I brought back with -me from Holland,’ she said, ‘but do not suppose that it is in order to -remind me of that brilliant and, alas, so far distant period.’ - -Several visitors came from the immediate neighbourhood, others from -Munich. They were cordially welcomed, and she felt, no doubt, flattered -by the consideration with which she was treated, inasmuch as that -consideration could be due to esteem only, and not to intrigues or -adulation, of which she felt so weary both at Saint Cloud and at the -Hague. During the evening she showed me some good pictures by painters -of the various schools, and a collection of art objects which had -been considerably increased by that left by her mother. The majority -of those brilliant trifles were connected with certain periods and -celebrated people, and they might well have been called a summary of -modern history. After that we had some music. The duchesse sang to -her own accompaniment, and she put as much soul into her singing as -into the compositions themselves. She had just finished a series of -drawings for her ballads, and the next morning she sent me the pretty -collection, which time will render all the more precious. - -At midnight I took my leave, without much hope of seeing her again. -But that particular day will for ever be stamped on my memory. It is a -pleasure to pay one’s homage of respect to fallen grandeur, when, as in -Hortense’s case, natural and amiable genius is added to the fascination -of a kindly nature. - -Meanwhile the sleighing-fête was over, and a blast of trumpets gave the -signal for the return to Vienna. Wrapt in their cloaks, the illustrious -guests proceeded towards the court of the palace. Ranged in two lines, -their sleighs were waiting for them. Everybody resumed the position of -the morning. A martial strain gave the signal for the start, and the -vehicles disappeared at a gallop, leaving on the horizon a trail of -light across the snow and the hoar frost of the trees. - -While the palace of Schönbrunn was the scene of these intoxicating -pleasures, how were those occupied to whom it represented only a -prison? Avoiding all contact with the joyous guests of the Congress, -Marie-Louise and her son preferred to get away from a pleasure party -which could only awaken sad recollections. Early in the morning, -they departed in sleighs to the smiling valley of St. Helena, near -Schönbrunn, where they passed the day--the empress offering dinner -to her small Court--and returned to Schönbrunn in the evening. A -strange coincidence of names between the valley of St. Helena where -Marie-Louise went to hide her grief, and that famous island, also -called St. Helena, where her husband, a few months later, buried both -his glory and his disasters. - -The next morning the Emperor of Austria made a present to Alexander -of the gilded sleigh in which the latter had ridden. To show his -appreciation of the gift, the czar had it carefully packed and sent -to St. Petersburg. The expenses of that sleighing-party and the fête -following it were estimated at three hundred thousand florins. Many -years have passed since that joyous period of the Congress of Vienna. -Many of those whom I saw so gaily carried away by the tinkling-belled -coursers have been pitilessly carried away since then by relentless -death. How many perished before their time! Emperor Alexander, whose -courtesy and youthful spirit were the life of all those parties; the -Emperor of Austria; the Kings of Prussia and Bavaria; Prince Eugène, -so kind and cordial--all are lying in their graves. The Empress -of Austria, so graceful, and such a beneficent friend to art; the -charming Elizabeth of Russia; her sister-in-law, the Grande Duchesse -d’Oldenbourg; the Comtesse Julie Zichy; Madame de Fuchs--all were -taken away as prematurely as unexpectedly. How many other women in the -zenith of their beauty, whose grace enhanced those gatherings, followed -them when their life was scarcely more than half run! And among -the political or military notabilities, de Wrède, Schwartzenberg, -Talleyrand, Castlereagh, Dalberg, Capo d’Istria, besides the friends so -dear to my affection, such as Koslowski, Ypsilanti, de Witt! In truth, -the almost imperceptible track of the sleigh gliding on the polished -snow was the image of our rapid passage, or rather of our short-lived -apparition, on this earth. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI - - Reception at Madame de Fuchs’s--Prince Philippe d’Hesse-Hombourg - --The Journalists and Newsmongers of Vienna--The French - Village in Germany--Prince Eugène--Recollection of the - Consulate--Tribulations of M. Denville--Mme. Récamier-- - The Return of the _Émigré_--Childhood’s Friend, or the Magic of - a Name--Ball at Lord Stewart’s--Alexander proclaimed King - of Poland--The Prince Czartoryski--Confidence of the Poles - --Count Arthur Potocki--The Revolutions of Poland--Slavery - --Vandar--Ivan, or the Polish Serf. - - -At one of the _soirées_ at the Comtesse de Fuchs’s, the whole of the -coterie had gathered round her--for she also had her coterie. In -default of diplomatic treaties, her grace and friendship constituted -its bond. The conversation had turned on some news which, it was said, -had leaked out from the high deliberations of the Congress. - -They were asking Prince Philippe d’Hesse-Hombourg if the fate of his -family’s Landgravate had been fixed, either by the decisions on the -Graben or by those of the more serious Congress. - -‘Nothing as yet has transpired,’ he answered, ‘but it is generally -expected that the Principality will receive a slight increase.’ - -Thereupon he gave us some particulars as to the origin of his house, -one of the most illustrious in Germany, both in virtue of its age and -of its alliances; though he himself had probably no idea of being one -day called upon to play the part of its ruler. - -‘The Principality of Hesse-Hombourg,’ he said, ‘presents one of the -most curious freaks of modern times. It is a small colony of French -Huguenots, which settled there at the time of the Revocation of the -Edict of Nantes. The Landgraf Frederick cordially welcomed those -unhappy victims of their king’s intolerance. He gave them land to till, -and sold his silver to come to their aid. They founded a village to -which they gave the name Friedrichsdorf. The most curious thing is -that for more than a hundred years they have preserved, without the -slightest alteration, the language, the manners, the costume, in fact -everything connected with their country and their century. It is a kind -of republic, governed by their minister. Isolated in their valley in -the centre of Germany, these men, though practically at the door of -their country, appear to have had no part or parcel in the great events -that have just been accomplished. They have simply ignored the French -Revolution, or if not that, have heard little or nothing of it. Though -French at heart by habits, traditions, and origin, they no longer think -of the country which in days gone by expelled their fathers.’ - -‘In my travels,’ I said, ‘I likewise found a similar colony, but one -that pushed further on than the other. It carried its household gods as -far as Macarief in Russia, It, also, preserved the language and customs -of its time, without even omitting the voluminous wig which everybody -knows.’ - -I had drawn close to Prince Eugène. Most cruelly upset by the events in -course of completion, he, as it were, instinctively turned to the past. -His memory striding, so to speak, across the decade of Empire, went -back with a sort of melancholy regret to the period of the Consulate, -which to him was a period of happiness, for it had been that of hope. -In truth, those four years constituted a remarkable period; everything -seemed eager for a new birth, to emerge altered, if not purified, from -the confusion into which the saturnalia of the Directorate had plunged -it. At that moment nothing had acquired any stability, but those who -had eyes to see perceived well enough that they were advancing with -giant steps towards a social regeneration. There was a general, an -irresistible, yielding to pleasure. It was not the licence which had -preceded it; it was like the distant and expiring sound of that licence -assuming a regular cadence day after day. Lavishness was extreme; gold -seemed, as it were, to flow; military and administrative fortunes had -been made so rapidly as to leave people virtually in doubt as to the -real price which had been paid for them. Numberless _émigrés_ setting -foot once more in their country, and finding their property practically -unimpaired, made up by constant enjoyment for the cruel privations -they had experienced in an alien land; others, happy to have escaped -either that or proscription, followed suit, and freely scattered -their fortunes, which they had been within an ace of losing for ever. -Finally, as if everything conspired to the glorifying of that period, -consider this further: that it counted, perhaps, the largest number of -celebrated beauties. Not that chance had absolutely provided a most -remarkable type of woman, but gold flung about by handfuls brought to -the fore women who, if they had remained in an obscure position, would -have probably passed unperceived; placed on pedestals, they borrowed -from the world by which they were surrounded part of the brilliancy -which dazzled the beholder. We reviewed all the joys of that remarkable -period, and we naturally came to the recollection of the woman who was -_the queen then_--Mme. Récamier. It was at her house that forgathered -the best society of the time, and all that Paris held in the way of -illustrious strangers. In her seemed incarnated the elegance and -pomp of the moment. Prince Eugène had often been a guest at those -receptions, which Europe has not yet forgotten. - -‘That period,’ I said to the prince, ‘will always remain stamped on -my memory, not only in virtue of the brilliance of its fêtes or the -glamour of our military glory, but in virtue of a circumstance which -formed an epoch in my existence. You know, prince, there are moments -when fortune, weary as it were of taking you for its play-ball, -suddenly lifts you from the depths of despair to the heaven of glory. -At that time I had a very curious experience.’ - -‘Which is the circumstance?’ promptly exclaimed the Comtesse Laura. -‘You must tell us.’ - -‘It is a very long episode; nevertheless, if you will grant me your -attention for a while, I will obey. - - * * * * * - -The most unforeseen resolutions are often due to the most trifling -causes: it was perhaps one word, a single word, which decided my -future. Everybody knows the awkwardness of those pet names that one -gives to children, which continue up to a time when what was once -pretty and graceful becomes intensely ridiculous. It was formerly -the fashion in France, as it was here, and for the matter of that -everywhere, to confer upon the very young that second baptism of -friendship. Of course it seems the most natural thing in the world -to do to-day what we did yesterday. Consequently, in Paris as in -Vienna, they called tall, grown-up men, Fanfan, Dédé, Lolo, and other -sobriquets, very sweet, but utterly unsuited to the men themselves. -I ought to be a good special pleader of that cause, for I also have -been called by one of those pet names, and I made a fine thing of it -by remembering it on one of the most eventful days of my life. Yes, -that rather ridiculous name was for me a talisman worth all the charms -of the fairies. Napoleon had overthrown the contemned government of -the Directorate. Sufficiently strong to be merciful, he allowed all -those who had abandoned their country in order to save their heads to -come back again. I had just left my ‘father’ in Amsterdam, he having -resolved to send me to Paris in order to see his business man, and to -find resources which were absolutely lacking in the alien land. He -confided me to one of our countrymen, M. Clément, whose acquaintance -we had made in Holland, and who was going back to France. We started -together for Paris. We took up our quarters at the Hôtel de Paris in -the Rue Coquillière. M. Clément found letters from his family, who -had a few days previously left for Dijon, bidding him to follow them -instantly. On leaving me, he entrusted me to the care of the manager, -M. Chandeau, a pastry-cook by trade, who was willing to keep me there, -though my appearance by no means promised a profitable customer, or -even one able to settle a little bill. Nevertheless, I had a modest -room on the fifth floor at a rental of twelve francs per month, and -as for my meals, I arranged them very much in accordance with the -slenderness of my purse. I prefer not to dwell upon this more than -precarious existence. - -Nevertheless, at the first going off, I thoroughly felt the -intoxication of being once more in my native land. I had saluted Paris -with the enthusiasm that causes the sailor to shout ‘Land, land!’ after -a long absence. I was very young, but I had lived a good deal in a few -years. Storms and hurricanes, privation and struggle, even hair-breadth -escapes from death--I had known them all. And yet it seemed to me that -as recently as the night before I had wandered under the chestnut-trees -of the Tuileries, and in the galleries of the Palais-Royal, where I -now found myself after a three years’ exile. I was very excited while -traversing the Passages, the Places, the bridges, and I ran along them -quickly as if in deadly fear of their escaping me once more. I looked -at the Seine as if she were an old friend, and still everything was new -to me, everything touched a chord of tenderness--even the discordant -cries of the itinerant vendors with whom the streets of Paris swarmed. -I felt as if I were taking possession of it once more. At sixteen there -seems to be such a very long future before one. All that is probable -seems possible. One feels unconsciously that by the right of one’s -youth the command of the world must devolve upon one. The awakening -from this dream was indeed very sombre. - -I began by calling upon the business people whose addresses my ‘father’ -had given me. Some were absent, others pretended to have lost all -recollection of us. I took care not to call upon my school-fellows in -order to arouse their pity, for I remembered the words Colville had -constantly repeated to me at Hamburg: ‘Try to dispense with everything -rather than ask a service of the man whom you consider your best -friend.’ Consequently, as a rule, I ascended to my perch dead with -fatigue, and not at all disposed to say with Pope ‘Whatever is, is -right.’ It is true that I got some sympathy from our poor servant, -Marie, to dispel the dejection plainly visible on my face. The -excellent creature always chose stories calculated to make my blood -curdle. ‘A few months ago,’ she said to me, ‘a young and handsome -boy, named Denville, lived in this very room. From morn to night he -wrote--he was a savant--and then, in order to get a little recreation, -he sang, accompanying himself on the guitar. Besides being a savant he -was an artist. All this was very well, but though he spent very little, -the poor boy never settled his bill, and during the seven months he -lodged at the hotel no one had ever seen the colour of his money. He -promised well enough, but he wrote in vain to his family, who lived in -Rheims. There is none so deaf as those who won’t hear, and not a cent -came from Champagne. There are some very hard-hearted parents--very -hard-hearted indeed. And that’s why the young fellow so often repeated -that no parent comes up to a louis d’or, and that the staunchest friend -is the pawnshop. - -‘M. Chandeau, furious at getting nothing but promises, lost patience, -and only waited a favourable opportunity to cease being made a dupe -of, as he said. One evening, when M. Denville had gone downstairs -in dressing-gown and slippers to buy some trifling thing at the -stationer’s opposite, M. Chandeau promptly mounted the stairs, put a -padlock on the door, and practically sequestrated in that way the -whole of his lodger’s luggage. When the latter came back, purchase in -hand, he found on the landing his pitiless creditor, telling him to -seek shelter elsewhere. - -‘It’s inhuman, isn’t it, monsieur, to send one’s debtor away like -that, practically naked? Prayers, promises, threats were not of the -slightest use. The young fellow was obliged to make the best of it, to -go down into the street, to promenade up and down like a ghost, with -the additional chance of perishing with cold, for it was the middle -of November. It struck ten o’clock, and the shops began to close. The -poor young man did not know where to look for a shelter, the only hope -of such presenting itself to him being the arch of a bridge, or the -guard-room of a military post. When he got as far as the Point St. -Eustache he was accosted by a poor woman--a working woman--who, touched -by the story of his deplorable situation, took him to her room, gave -him some supper, and kept him like this for a month, sharing everything -with him. But the most surprising part of the story is the end. The -lover of this poor girl was the servant of a general. The general was -looking out for a secretary. The servant was sufficiently interested in -this protégé of Providence to share his clothes with him, just as the -poor girl had shared her crust of bread, after which he presented M. -Denville to his master. The general took a fancy to M. Denville’s face, -and engaged him, and took him to the army in Italy, in which he was to -command a division. - -‘You must know, monsieur, that everybody who goes to Italy and doesn’t -happen to be killed, comes back rich. That’s what happened to M. -Denville. On his return, he was absolutely bursting with gold. He paid -everything he owed to M. Chandeau. Better still, he bought, exactly -opposite the hotel, a little mercer’s shop to make a present to the -young girl who had so charitably picked him up.’ - -As may easily be imagined, that kind of picture did not give a -particularly agreeable tinge to my dreams. This great man, expelled -from the room that I was living in, and promenading down below in the -street in white, grasping his roll of paper, appeared to me like the -statue of the Commander to Don Juan. In my anxiety I now and again -substituted the face and figure of my landlord, holding in one hand -his little bill, and the padlock in the other. I no longer slept, and -I scarcely ate. The mind was killing the body, and I was certainly -getting the worst of this terrible struggle, of which I failed to see -the end. - -I had been to the Hôtel Choiseul, which had been inhabited by my -family, and had been transformed into an auction-mart. I wandered -through its rooms, every one of which was crowded with furniture and -goods offered to the highest bidder. (Subsequently, part of the Opéra -was built on the site.) Alas, throughout my wandering I did not find a -stick that belonged to us; even the porter had changed, and, however -improbable and romantic it may seem, my only friend of old was Castor, -the poor watch-dog, who still occupied his kennel. Pricking up his ears -and wagging his tail, Castor licked my hands when I began to stroke him. - -Perhaps Castor’s friendliness directed my thoughts to the old friends -of my family. Among them I had heard M. Récamier cited as the richest -banker of his time, and his wife as the foremost woman of fashion. -I knew Mme. Récamier before her marriage, and when she first came -to Paris. When we both were children our parents lived in the same -house. Our games and our studies were often interrupted by the scenes -of the Revolution. I remembered the incidents of those first years -most vividly; but would she remember them? I had lost sight of her -completely during those six years so crowded with events. A kind of -false shame kept me back. I could not make up my mind to go and see -her, amidst all her opulence, in a condition bordering so closely -upon a state of poverty as mine. The days went by meanwhile, and I had -practically exhausted my last resources. In vain had I tried to borrow -money on the portrait of Louis XVI., the last gift of the ill-fated -prince to my ‘father,’ his faithful and devoted minister. What interest -had those money-changers in a prince who was only great by his virtues, -and who already belonged to history? - -I informed my ‘father’ of my position; told him of my various -unsuccessful attempts, and asked him for fresh instructions. I received -in reply a letter dated from Holland. He told me to remain for a little -longer in Paris, but if I did not succeed, to come back to Amsterdam, -where M. Vandenberg, the landlord of our inn, would procure me the -means to join him, my ‘father,’ in England, whither important affairs -compelled him to proceed immediately. - -I shall never forget the night I spent after that letter. There are -situations too painful for description, griefs that may be conceived, -but cannot be expressed. I already beheld myself without the slightest -resources in Paris; without a mother, without relations or friends, and -like those who seek but do not find, who cry and who are made sport of, -who would fain attach themselves to some one, and are despised. I was -told to start for Amsterdam. How could I? I could imagine what it must -have cost my ‘father’ to write that letter. Perhaps he believed that -experience had already given me the wisdom which, as a rule, only comes -with years, and that the journey of a thousand leagues which I had made -with him had taught me to vanquish obstacles. On that occasion, though, -I was not alone: his courage sustained mine. In the present instance, -his absence left me no other support than the future and God. - -My sleep was disturbed and agitated; it was not rest, it was simply the -temporary forgetfulness of my trouble. I was looking forward to the -cruel struggle with the world; I beheld myself flung amidst the crowd -to dispute for a crust of bread with the rest of mankind. The days went -by like centuries, for if it be true, as the Prince de Ligne said, -that happiness has wings, misfortune has legs of lead. Poor misguided -creatures that we are! at fifteen we fancy that we have exhausted fate; -at the slightest storm we bend our heads and say, ‘There’s no longer -any hope.’ And at sixty we still go on hoping. - -One resolution came from all those conflicting ideas. It was high time; -for I no longer saw the faintest chance of staving off the crisis, or -of temporising with M. Chandeau, whose face became more sour every day. -I resolved to go to Mme. Récamier, whom I knew to be at her country -house at Clichy-la-Garenne. I made up my mind to go and implore her -help, as one implores that of an angel from heaven when everything on -earth has failed. - -One fine May morning, I started from the Rue Coquillière for Clichy. On -my way, I tried to screw my courage to the sticking-point by recalling -the happy times of my early youth, and in the conjuring up of those -pictures, the image of Mme. Récamier, who had been the companion of my -liveliest joys and of my short-lived griefs, re-appeared continually. -Recalling, one by one, the proofs of her genuine affection, always -so lavishly bestowed, I dismissed all fear that her immense fortune, -her high social position, would cause her to deny the friend of her -childhood, coming to her homeless, proscribed, and unhappy. - -When I had reached the barrier which majestically dominates Paris, -I continued my route between some sparse and poverty-stricken sheds -across the fields. I little dreamt that in a comparatively few years -there would arise on the spot a pretty town of fifteen thousand -inhabitants, with its cafés, its baths, and its theatre, that would -dispute with Passy the advantages of being the Tibur of the literary -men and artists of Paris, frightened at the hubbub of the city. At the -other side of the hill which I had slowly mounted, the soft and gently -sloping greensward landed me in the Avenue de Clichy. I felt as light -of heart under those century-old trees as if I were returning to the -paternal manor after a morning’s sport, but at the sight of the gate of -the mansion, my assurance forsook me. - -Will she receive me? Will she recognise me? My blood, overheated by my -rapid march, froze in my veins at the question. I should probably have -turned back, but for the knowledge that to advance was the only chance -of finding an asylum. - -When I got to the porter’s lodge I pulled the chain, producing but a -faint tinkling of the bell. It had, nevertheless, been heard, for a -voice from inside told Laurette to open the gate. ‘Laurette,’ I said -to myself; ‘that name, no doubt, belongs to a young girl, and the -sympathy between our ages will probably get me a favourable reception.’ -The illusion vanished almost immediately, and I should have been the -first to laugh at my blunder if at that moment my poor heart had -been at all susceptible to any kind of joy. Instead of the little -Laurette I expected--namely, a kind of _opéra-comique_ shepherdess, -with a beflowered and beribboned crook--I beheld an old peasant woman, -wrinkled and bent down with years. Laurette was dressed in a black and -white striped kirtle, and her crook was represented by the ponderous -key of the gate. In answer to my inquiries, she pointed to the door -of the hall; but her second reply convinced me that she was deaf, for -she kept gently shaking her head and softly slapping her ears with her -fore-finger. - -Trembling and uncertain, I stood rooted to the spot, dreading to -advance; for it is a cruel thing to come to a friend’s door in the -guise of a suppliant. But the massive gate had turned on its hinges and -closed once more while Laurette re-entered her pavilion, and I was thus -compelled to advance. - -Hence, I took my courage in both hands and slowly crossed the court, -still further slackening my pace in ascending the steps of the ancient -residence of the Ducs de Lévis, both fearing and dreading to reach -the top. I rang the bell, and in answer a servant appeared. Doffing -my tri-cornered hat, considerably too big for me, with that air of -humility which renders the man down on his luck so awkward, I asked -him, in a voice which I tried in vain to steady, if I might see Mme. -Récamier. From the way in which he began to ‘take stock’ of me, I -imagined that he was in the habit of seeing many needy creatures steer -for this haven, and that, naturally, he classed me among the crowd of -the wretched which each day solicited the inexhaustible charity of his -mistress. ‘I’ll see if madame is at home,’ he said; ‘but what name -shall I say?’ I gave him mine, and, apparently satisfied on that point, -he bade me take a seat. A few moments passed, and Joseph--that was the -name of the domestic--did not return. Devoured with anxiety, I rose -from the seat, which offered no rest, and strode up and down the large -hall, paved with marble and hung with sombre portraits, paintings of -another age, worn out like the past, forgotten like the past, and on -the faces of which I tried in vain to catch a favourable smile. - -Every one knows with what minute attention a man coming to ask a favour -scans the spot where he awaits his fate. At last Joseph came back; -but it was no longer the semi-benevolent face that welcomed me on my -entrance. - -‘Madame is very sorry not to be able to see you to-day, monsieur. Not -having the honour of your acquaintance, she would ask you to write to -her about the motive of your visit.’ - -‘Not know me!’ my lips painfully murmured, stupefied. I felt like -one suddenly blinded. Everything in this world seemed to fail me at -once--the present, the future, friendship, and my courage withal. -Tears, but badly hidden by the brim of my hat, coursed down my cheeks. -At sixteen one does still shed tears. One has not acquired the courage -which is only learned in the school of adversity. - -Though distressed beyond measure at my own weakness, I could not -make up my mind to leave the place. In fact, by that same wonderful -process of the imagination which in a few moments of sleep shows -you a long series of diverse objects, my imagination pictured to me -spontaneously the steep and winding staircase leading to the attics -of the Hôtel de Calais, and my relentless landlord waiting there, my -bill in his hand, in order to bar further progress, as he had barred -it to my expelled predecessor. There was more than this, however. Some -horrid words had in reality fallen upon my ear. Juliet, the friend and -companion of my infancy, no longer remembered even my name. During -this mental colloquy, Joseph, rigid, motionless, constantly watching -a curtain in the hall, showed but too plainly his impatience to close -the door upon me for ever. In spite of his looks, I did not budge. I -felt it impossible to abandon my last hope. All at once, by one of -the spontaneous inspirations often due to desperate positions, it -flashed upon me that during my infancy I bore only a pet name, and that -Mme. Récamier never called me by any other. That was enough. Tightly -grasping Joseph’s arm, I exclaimed: - -‘Please, monsieur, go back to Mme. Récamier, and tell her that it’s -Lolo who has come back from Sweden, who begs of her to see him for one -moment.’ - -To judge by Joseph’s face at this new request, I felt certain that -he considered me bereft of my senses. The man was, no doubt, asking -himself what possible connection there could possibly be between Lolo, -Sweden, and his mistress. Consequently, he did not seem disposed to -attempt this new message, but I begged so hard that finally he decided -in my favour, just as one grants to a patient whose physician has -given him up the last whim from which he expects his cure. - -Behold me alone once more, striding up and down the huge hall, not -even trying to restrain my fears now that there is no stranger to -witness them, and recommending myself to that Providence which hovered -over our vessel in the storm-tossed Baltic, which had protected me at -Copenhagen, and from Whom at that moment I seemed to request a miracle -not less decisive than any of the former to which I owed my life. - -‘It often takes no more than a minute to settle a man’s destiny,’ says -an Arab poet, just as it suffices for one ray of light from heaven to -disperse a cloud. At the most exciting part of my mental soliloquy I -heard in the distance a concert of feminine voices shouting in all -keys. One, however, dominated the rest; and such a voice! That of -the heavenly spirits painted by Milton never made a more charming -impression. I recognised it at once. Then, immediately afterwards, the -door was flung open, and Mme. Récamier, surrounded by three young girls -as beautiful as herself, rushed towards me, crying, ‘My friend, my poor -Lolo, so it’s you!’ and her eyes, fixed on mine, grew moist, while -the most grateful and refreshing tears I ever shed in my life coursed -freely down my cheeks. ‘Yes, it is I,’ I said. - -This, ladies, is one of the chapters in my chequered life. You wished -to hear it, and fashion alone must be the excuse for telling it. - -This little story wound up the evening. - - * * * * * - -Next day the majority of us met once more at a fête the dazzling -pomp of which did not come up to the more intimate happiness of -the small circle at the Comtesse de Fuchs’s. Lord Stewart, the -English ambassador, gave a grand ball at the magnificent Stahremberg -mansion, his residence, to celebrate the birthday of his sovereign. -Nothing had been neglected to make the entertainment worthy of the -memorable circumstances, and of the power represented by his lordship. -Lord Stewart displayed a magnificence--or, to speak correctly, a -profusion--of which few fêtes offered an example. His excellency, -however, who loved to be eccentric in everything, and whose -eccentricities were not always successful, had hit upon the idea to -add to his invitation a courteous injunction to come to his ball in -the costume of the time of Elizabeth. His countrymen understood him -easily enough, and they were numerous in Vienna. The remainder of the -guests had not complied with the request, but those who had adopted -the costume were sufficiently numerous to produce a very remarkable -effect. As to his excellency himself, he wore his uniform of colonel -of hussars, the scarlet of which was covered with embroideries, and a -great number of orders, civil and military, to such a degree as to have -led one easily to mistake him for a living book of heraldry. Save for -that singularity the ball was like any other: a great many sovereigns, -princes, ‘grandes dames,’ political celebrities; a marvellous supper; a -charming lottery of English trifles, which a lady dressed exactly like -Queen Elizabeth distributed to the guests. After which we danced until -daylight, a proceeding becoming rarer and rarer every day in Vienna, -where the Court balls were seldom prolonged beyond midnight. - -While all this was going on, the uncertainties of the Polish question -had ceased. The result of the conferences of the Congress, which both -Europe and Vienna awaited with equal impatience, was at last known. -Alexander had been proclaimed King of Poland. During four months this -had been the exclusive aim of his thoughts. His efforts, the ability -of his ministers, the profound correctness of their views, had been -crowned with success. The Duchy of Warsaw and the handsomest part of -the Polish territory were definitely incorporated with his empire. -The gate of the West was open to him. Among the various phases of -that negotiation, two things could not fail to strike the mind--the -clever diplomacy of the Russian Government, and the confidence of the -Poles. When the fall of Napoleon dispelled the last hopes of the Poles, -they instinctively turned their regard towards Alexander. Persuaded -that he would restore to them their ancient position, that he would -reconstitute in Poland an independent kingdom, they transferred to -him their affection and their hopes. Neither the recollections of the -past nor the lessons of history, nor the warnings of some sagacious -minds had succeeded in opening their eyes. Alexander and his ministry, -it should be said, had carefully exploited that disposition. A great -parade was made of moderation. The most seductive promises were -lavished on the Polish nation. Their dreams of independence, their -ideas of a free constitution, were constantly flattered. The Russian -officers in Poland received orders to show the utmost deference -to the civil and military authorities. Finally, in the month of -September 1814, even before Alexander crossed Poland to appear at the -Congress, when General Krazinski entered Warsaw with his division, the -Field-Marshal Barclay de Tolly at the head of his staff had been the -first to congratulate him. The most cordial union apparently existed -between the generals of the two nations. - -But from the first conferences of the plenipotentiaries, and in spite -of the protestations of the czar in favour of the Polish nation, -Alexander’s system of aggrandisement was soon discovered. - -In vain did the King of Prussia, in close agreement with him, support -all his demands. The Congress resisted a long while before giving its -assent. France, Austria, and England opposed an absolute refusal. -We have already seen how Alexander declared one day that he would -maintain, arms in hand, his pretensions regarding the freedom of -Poland. Finally, thoroughly tired out, the Congress gave way, and the -country of the Jagellons and the Sobieskis was united to Russia. The -decision had scarcely been made public when Alexander announced it to -the government of Warsaw. In an autograph letter to Comte Ostrowski, -President of the Senate, the czar expressed himself as follows: - -‘In assuming the title of King of Poland, I desire to satisfy the wish -of the nation. The Kingdom of Poland will be united to the empire -by the bonds of its own constitution. If the supreme interest of a -general peace has made it impossible for all the Poles to be united -under one sceptre, I have made it a point to soften the rigours of that -separation, and to secure for them everywhere a peaceful enjoyment of -their nationality.’ - -Faithful to his system, Alexander shouted very loudly from the -house-tops the word ‘nationality’ at the very moment when was -accomplished and consecrated the division which was to make havoc -of the word itself. Among the Polish notabilities in Vienna who had -defended the cause with most intelligence and courage, one must -mention in the first rank the Prince Adam Czartoryski. The passionate -defender of the independence of his country, he for one moment fostered -the illusion of having found the regenerator in Alexander. When the -emperor, during his voyage from Russia to Vienna, stopped at Pulawi, -the residence of this ancient family, the princess-dowager, her two -sons, Adam and Constantine; her two daughters, the Princesse de -Würtemberg and the Comtesse Zamoyska, had prepared the most brilliant -reception. In their eyes it was Alexander whose hand was to raise -their country from its ruin. Alexander, on his side, professed a great -esteem for the character of Prince Adam. Even at the Congress the -rumour ran for a moment that he was going to appoint him his Minister -of Foreign Affairs, instead of M. de Nesselrode, and that he reserved -the vice-royalty of Poland for him later on. It was never known how -far those rumours could be substantiated. Was it a tribute to the -loyalty and talent of Prince Adam? Was it a means of leading people -astray? Afterwards Europe learned how that prince became the martyr of -the cause to which he had devoted the whole of his life. What, in the -future, was to be the upshot of that decision of the Congress? Placed -under the sceptre of the Russian autocrat, would Poland once more find -her level among the rank of nations, or, like the streams which lose -both their name and their substance, was Poland to be swallowed up in -the immense boundaries? Such were the questions discussed one day in -the most lively manner at Princesse Sapieha’s. Around her were the -Comte Arthur Potocki, the Comte Komar, the Prince Radziwill, the Prince -Paul Sapieha, the Princesse Lubomirska, the Comtesse Lanskarouska, and -several other ladies. Illusion is nowhere so thoroughly permitted as -when it becomes a question of country; in that gathering, all hearts -were generally open to the hopes of a political restoration, all minds -believed in the realisation of Alexander’s promises. - - - - -CHAPTER XVII - - The Emperor Alexander, the King of Prussia, and the Naval Officer - --Surprise to the Empress of Russia--More Fêtes--A Ball at - M. de Stackelberg’s--Paul Kisseleff--Brozin--Fête offered - by M. de Metternich--The Ball-room Catches Fire--Fêtes and - Banquet at the Court--Ompteda--Chronicle of the Congress-- - The Tell-tale Perfume--Recollection of Empress Josephine and - Madame de Tallien--A Romantic Court Story. - - -One morning the Comte de Witt burst into my rooms holding his sides -with laughter. He scarcely waited for me to ask him the reason. - -‘It’s a story just told to me by Ouwaroff. It’s very funny, but though -he got it direct from Emperor Alexander, it is scarcely credible. A -protégé of the Comte de Nesselrode, a young sailor, who, curiously -enough, had never been to St. Petersburg and did not know the emperor, -had been sent with important despatches to Vienna. Alexander, here as -well as in his capital, loves to wander about the streets. This morning -his Majesty, dressed in a simple military great-coat, on leaving the -palace caught sight of a young naval officer, booted and spurred, -apparently trying to find his way, and examining the entrance of the -imperial residence, totally at a loss how to set his helm. “You seem to -be looking for something,” said the emperor. “That’s true,” answered -the sailor. “I have got a despatch to remit personally to the Emperor -of Russia. They told me to go to the Burg, and here I am; but as I -am a stranger in Vienna, I haven’t got a soul either to guide or to -introduce me.” Alexander was delighted with the frank and open face of -the young fellow, and just for the fun of the thing thought he would -keep up his _incognito_ a little longer. “You’ll not find the emperor -now,” he said. “He’s not at the palace, but at two o’clock he is sure -to receive you.” The conversation went on in the same amicable and -familiar tone for several minutes, the czar interrogating the officer -on his family, his career, and his prospects. The young fellow tells -him that, having entered the service when he was very young, he has -never been to Court and has never seen his sovereign. Finally, after -half an hour’s walking about in conversation, Alexander, turning to the -young salt, says in an affectionate tone, “You can give me your letter, -sir, I am Alexander.” “That’s a clever joke,” replies the other, -laughing, “but you don’t expect me to believe it.” “You may believe -it or not, but I am the Emperor of Russia.” “I dare say--just as I am -the Emperor of China.” “Why shouldn’t you be the Emperor of China?” -Alexander, getting thoroughly amused with an adventure which promises -to become very comic, makes up his mind to continue it a little longer. -In a short time they reach the fortifications, and Alexander espies the -King of Prussia coming towards him. “Do you know German?” he asks of -his companion. “Not a word,” replies the other. Immediately Alexander -takes a few steps in front of him, and says a couple of words in German -to Frederick-William, then he comes back to the young sailor, and takes -him by the hand. “Here’s an excellent opportunity of presenting you -to the King of Prussia,” he remarks. “Sire, an officer of my fleet, -whom I have the honour to present to your Majesty.” “We are getting -on rapidly,” says the young fellow. “This gentleman is the King of -Prussia, you are the Emperor of Russia, and I am the Emperor of China. -Three sovereigns. After all, why not, seeing that my captain says that -after God he is king on board his ship? Oh, by the by, how are things -in Prussia? Everybody all right in Berlin? In truth that _was_ a hero, -and no mistake, your predecessor, the great Frederick. Just like your -ancestor, Peter the First, of glorious memory,” he said, bowing to -Alexander. “But great though they may have been, I doubt whether they -would have imitated my grandfather, who at the battle of Tchesmè blew -up his vessel and himself rather than surrender to the Turks.” - -‘Although the talk savoured somewhat of insolence, it was delivered by -the sailor with that frankness and gaiety which seem almost inseparable -from his profession. Not only were the two sovereigns unoffended, but -their laughter showed that they were highly amused at it. - -‘Meanwhile, they had arrived at a little drinking-shop. The officer -most politely invited his companions to sit down and to continue the -conversation glass in hand. Yielding to the fascination of the moment, -the two sovereigns accepted. Refreshments were served. They sat down, -and clinked glasses familiarly, continuing their conversation without -the slightest restraint, and absolutely with the _abandon_ of a royal -freak, in such a place. “To your health, brother,” says Wilhelm of -Prussia to Alexander of Russia. “‘Pon my word,” is the latter’s answer, -“it only wants the usual salute from the batteries of our capitals -to complete the ceremony of that toast.” “So be it, then,” says the -sailor, taking hold of his pistol, and preparing to load it. He was -going to fire, and thus draw a crowd, which would have transformed a -comic adventure into a scandal. They had a great deal of trouble to -prevent the danger of such a noisy demonstration. Finally, they leave -the place, but the sailor obstinately insists on paying the expenses, -and they are bound to give in. At last they get outside the tavern. - -‘Scarcely have they advanced a few steps on the ramparts, when the -crowd begins to surround the two monarchs, with their accustomed marks -of deference. M. de Richelieu advances hat in hand, and addresses -Alexander as “your Majesty.” The young officer, who had served under -the Duke of Odessa, recognises him at once. He goes very pale and -confused, for he begins clearly to perceive that he has been the victim -of a royal mystification. He is, however, soon reassured by the kindly -look of Alexander, and he promptly remits his despatches to him. The -emperor takes them with a gracious and significant smile, and with the -most kindly gesture dismisses the young sailor, after having given him -an invitation to dine for that day. One thing is very certain--this bit -of royal pastime will push the other a great deal further than twenty -years of service, or the most signal action on board his ship. He will -have no need to go and seek his recompense in heaven by the aid of a -barrel of gunpowder. - -‘But while our kings amuse themselves,’ the general went on, ‘the -empresses and queens refuse to remain behind. You know that to-day -is the birthday of the Empress of Russia? Now, it has been written -that all the birthdays and all the holidays of the calendar should be -converted into opportunities for pleasure; and pleasure seems to take -good care that none shall be overlooked. Yesterday morning the Empress -of Austria, the Grandes-Duchesses d’Oldenbourg and Saxe-Weimar, dressed -out in the strangest manner, requested an audience, under assumed -names, of the Empress Elizabeth. After a little hesitation, there was a -mutual recognition, a great deal of laughter, a great many magnificent -presents were offered, and, like the surprise, were accepted with the -utmost grace.’ - -‘The Prince de Ligne, my dear general, in talking of all those -sovereigns, who appeared to be so thoroughly intoxicated with -pleasure, called them “kings on their holidays.” In truth, seeing them -play pranks like children, we might call them “schoolboys on their -holidays.”’ - -The comte was anxious that I should accompany him that evening to a -grand ball at M. de Stackelberg’s, the Russian Ambassador, in honour -of his sovereign’s birthday. I promised to do so, as it was said that -this was to be the last Russian fête; for according to rumour the -whole of the business of the Congress would be finished before the -carnival. Several sovereigns were already thinking of leaving Vienna, -and Lord Castlereagh was called to London by the opening of the English -Parliament. - -Although similar rumours had run almost from the very outset of the -Congress, this time they were invested with a kind of probability. -Four months had gone by since pleasure had thrown open to the -representatives of Europe the doors of the sanctuary in which her fate -was going to be decided. Peace, and a durable equilibrium, would most -likely be the result of this long gestation. There remains nothing to -be said of M. de Stackelberg’s ball which has not been said of any of -the others. It really seemed as if the representatives of the great -Powers were determined upon a contest in good taste and magnificence. - -One of the first persons I noticed in this dazzling crowd was General -Ouwaroff, standing stock-still and rigid according to his habit. He -wore on his finger that mysterious ring, which never quitted him, and -on which a death’s head was engraved. Was it a reminder of the death -of the Princesse S----, who had poisoned herself for love of him? I -have never been able to discover. Close to him were Colonel Brozin and -the Comte Paul Kisseleff, both aides-de-camp of Emperor Alexander. The -first, a handsome and brave soldier, had later on the dangerous honour -of succeeding his master in the heart of La Belle Narischkine, for it -was only given to Louis XIV. to be beloved by a La Vallière, by a woman -who gave herself to God when she ceased to belong to her king. The -second, a soldier of the highest distinction, has since then won for -himself a well-deserved reputation as an administrator of Wallachia -and Moldavia. He at once evoked one’s sympathy for his intrepid and -brilliant character. Enthusiastic for everything which was grand and -noble, he had really a god-like reverence for Alexander, whom he loved -as a benefactor, and whom he cherished in consequence of the natural -attraction which attaches two souls apt to understand each other. -General Paul Kisseleff has married since the eldest daughter of the -celebrated Sophie Potocka. He is entrusted to-day with one of the most -important portfolios of the Russian empire. - -Here was the Prince Dolgorouki, the son of that handsome Princesse -Dolgorouki, to please whom Potemkin had the fortress of Oczakoff -shelled for a whole night. He was surrounded by a numerous circle, -among whom one might easily distinguish the Princes Gagarin and -Troubastköy; the aide-de-camp Pankratieff, etc. - -A little further on, Talleyrand is calmly conversing with MM. de -Wintzingerode and d’Hardemberg. Amidst the noise and the animation of -all this pleasure his impassive features preserve the same calm visible -thereon in the Congress-room. - -Many waltzes and polonaises had been danced when they asked the -Princesse B---- to dance the tarantella, that pretty Neapolitan dance -which, in her infancy, her young companions of the Parthenope danced -with her under the beauteous sky where she was born. Acquiescing in a -general wish, she placed herself in the middle of the ball-room, made -one or two graceful bows, then seizing a tambourine, gave the signal -for the music to begin; and then performed those voluptuous, light, and -animated movements so thoroughly in harmony with the air of Naples. - -Very often, when my recollections brought me back to those fêtes in -which I have seen the Russian nobility at St. Petersburg, Moscow, and -Vienna display so much wealth and elegance, I have been reminded of -what my friend Count Tolstoy told me about the difficulties of Peter -the First to make his Boyards amuse themselves in a European fashion. -The opposition was so violent that he could only get the better of it -by publishing a long regulation, and whosoever deviated from it exposed -himself to the most severe punishments. Although his inflexible will -had decided that those fêtes should have a European character, they -were too near to barbaric times not to be tainted with their spirit. -It was to the sound of the drum that the Court balls were announced in -the city. The ladies repaired to them at five o’clock in the evening. -They had to be dressed in the fashion prevailing in the Courts of -Europe. Only the empress, who was a Narischkine, was exempt from the -general law, and permitted to keep to the dress of the Russian ladies. -Peter, who never tried to avoid the orders he imposed on others, -stood sentry at the door of the palace, a partisan in his hand. Thus -did Louis XIV. stand guard at the door of the St. Cyr Theatre on the -occasion of the performances of _Esther_. The grandes-duchesses offered -refreshments to the guests: French wines, hydromel, and strong beer. At -the entrance door, facing the emperor, stood a chamberlain, holding two -urns containing a great many numbered tickets. Each cavalier and each -lady, on entering the ball-room, drew one, and willy-nilly found him- -or herself associated with the corresponding number, as in days gone -by the athletes of the pugilistic exercises in the Olympic Games. The -masked balls were still more extraordinary. Disguise was resorted to by -way of the most curious costumes, and the rejoicing and the dances were -in harmony with the costumes. - -Only a very few years went by, and the tactics of the illustrious -reformer began to bear ample fruit. Under Catherine I. and under -Elizabeth, pleasure followed the same direction as Russian influence -and power. The latter princess was especially fond of masked balls. -She gave a magnificent one on each New Year’s Day. The ladies were -bound to appear as men, and the men as women. The Empress, who looked -very well in male attire, was particularly fond of that disguise. Then -came the reign of Catherine II. which seemed fated to exhaust all kind -of glories and pleasures. Apart from her magnificent carousals, one is -reminded of her receptions and balls at Tzarskoë-Selo, and of the fêtes -of Potemkin in the Palace of the Taurus. Beyond these, imagination -cannot go. Finally, during the first years of this century, and at the -period of the Congress of Vienna, there was no nation which understood -pleasure better than the Russians, and stamped that pleasure with such -extreme politeness and grandeur. - -[Illustration: PRINCE METTERNICH.] - -Consequently, each day saw a new fête succeed to that of yesterday, -without this continuation appearing to bring satiety. While M. de -Stackelberg celebrated the birthday of his sovereign, Emperor Francis -invited for the same purpose the crowned heads, the princes, and -the other political or military notabilities in one of the great -halls of the imperial residence. A splendid dinner had preceded the -concert. Two days before, the Prince de Metternich had also given a -great ball at which the majority of the guests of the Austrian Court -had been present. It has just struck me that I am nearing the end -of my course, and that as yet I have not spoken of one of the most -conspicuous personages of our epoch. Almost everybody has tried to -portray M. de Metternich. Like M. de Talleyrand, he has had all the -honours of history bestowed upon him during his lifetime, but although -his portrait has been traced more than once by more skilful hands -than mine, I cannot resist the desire to show him as I was enabled to -judge him--behind the glamour of power and political reserve in which -he has lived since his youth. At that period M. de Metternich might -still pass muster as a young man. His features were perfectly regular -and handsome, his smile was full of graciousness, his face expressed -both benevolence and the most delicate intelligence. He was of average -height, and of elegant proportions. Both his gait and demeanour were -marked by much nobleness. It is, above all, from the handsome design of -Isabey, representing the plenipotentiaries at the Congress, that one -may gain a more or less exact idea of all those outward advantages of -which he himself was by no means insensible. At the first glance, one -felt delighted at seeing one of those men to whom nature had vouchsafed -her most seductive gifts, and whom nature, as a rule, seems to take -a delight in calling only to the frivolous successes of a society -life. It was when attentively scanning his physiognomy, at once supple -and firm, and carefully scrutinising Metternich’s looks, that the -superiority of his political genius at once became manifest to even the -superficial observer. ‘The society man’ disappeared, and there remained -nothing but the statesman, accustomed to rule men and to decide -important affairs. Mixed up for twenty-five years with the gigantic -commotions that disturbed Europe, M. de Metternich showed the lofty -aptitude of his mind, and that rare penetration and sagacity which can -foresee and direct events. His decision, the result of long meditation, -was immovable. His words were incisive, as they ought to be from the -lips of a statesman sure of the drift of everything he says. I may add -to this that M. de Metternich is one of the most charming story-tellers -of our epoch. In politics he has been reproached with his subserviency -to the Law of Immobility; certainly a lofty mind like his understood -well enough that it is impossible for man to remain stationary, -and that, in our age, to remain stationary would be tantamount to -retrogression. But he also knew that sudden shocks do not constitute -progress, and that, in the government of man one ought to take count -of their habits and of their real wants. If it be true that the moment -has not yet come to judge M. de Metternich definitely, contemporary -history will be bound to admit the calm and cloudless happiness which -his immobile and silent government has succeeded in imparting to the -hereditary states of Austria. That happiness, which seems to suffice -them, is already a title of glory one cannot easily deny. - -The fêtes of M. de Metternich during the Congress bore a peculiar -stamp, altogether in harmony with his personality, if one may express -it in that way. To the most thoroughly experienced lavishness, to an -extreme minuteness of detail, there was added a grandeur absolutely -without embarrassment. It was towards the end of January that this fête -took place. The _locale_ chosen was M. de Metternich’s country estate, -a short distance from Vienna. Though the cold was excessive, the number -of guests was immense, and, as usual, comprised all the illustrious -personages of Europe and the handsomest women of the moment. The prince -and princess discharged their social duties with a certain coquettish -grace--a grace which tends to disappear now that people believe they -have done everything by throwing open their drawing-rooms. Truly, -watching this illustrious host, and the pains he took to please his -guests, one could but remember how, at the beginning of his career in -Paris, he had shone by the brilliancy of his manners. And, though his -position had become immeasurably greater since then, it had made no -difference to a courtesy which must always be a powerful auxiliary in -the hands of such a man. A magnificent ball-room had been constructed -for that fête in the garden itself, and had been decorated with all -the pomp and lavishness that had really become a matter of course. The -stands were tenanted by women dazzling in youth and elegance, who vied -with the masses of colour supplied by the uniforms, decorations, and -embroideries occupying the middle of the floor. - -Next morning an alarming rumour spread that this elegant ball-room had -been partially ruined during the night by a fire. Vienna is quite as -prolific in superstitious people as other places, and the untoward -event served as a text for several prophecies. They recalled the -accidents that had marked the marriage of Louis XVI.; they recalled -the fire at the mansion of the Prince de Schwartzenberg at Paris at -the moment of the union of Napoleon with the daughter of the Cæsars--a -sad analogy with the fates occasioned by his fall in the capital of -his father-in-law, and not far distant from the place of exile of his -wife and his son. The high position of M. de Metternich in the debates -of Europe; the presidency which his colleagues had spontaneously and -simultaneously conferred upon him--all this was calculated to give -still greater consistency to all those lugubrious conjectures. - -A few days later, without taking the slightest notice of any of the -predictions of the Viennese Nostradamuses, the Austrian Court joyfully -celebrated the birthday of the King of Denmark, of the Queen of -Bavaria, of the Duke of Saxe-Weimar, and of the Grand-Duke of Baden, -all happening on the same day. A grand state-fête, to which the public -were admitted as spectators, united all the crowned heads. I followed -the crowd, anxious to witness a sight which was not likely to renew -itself within my days. It was in reality something very important, that -banquet, both by the number and rank of its guests. - -‘Sire,’ ‘your majesty,’ might be heard at each corner of every table; -royal highnesses, imperial highnesses, grand dukes, dukes, etc., were -practically speaking, so many small-fry. If one added to all this the -rank of the officers in attendance, equerries, cup-bearers, pantlers, -most of these holding high rank; if one still further adds thousands -of wax candles, causing the crystals to glint and to sparkle, and -reflecting their light in the massive gold plate; if we still add -the perfume of flowers mingling with the harmony of the instruments, -the sweet familiarity, the intimacy of those masters of the world -tempering the majesty of their gathering--if we consider all this, it -will be admitted that the spectacle was likely to remain a unique one. - -It was during these gala-fêtes that they served those famous Tokay -wines, the exorbitant price of which is estimated at between a -hundred and twenty and a hundred and fifty florins a bottle. The -emperor had some in his cellars which was more than a century old; -the precious nectar was only brought forth on solemn occasions, when -it was necessary to drink the health of this or that sovereign, or to -celebrate this or that grand anniversary. Chance had placed me not far -away from the Baron Ompteda. We left together to go to the theatre of -the Carinthian Gate. The main attraction was _Flore et Zéphire_, a -ballet performed by the dancers of the Paris Opéra. The house was full, -as usual. Indifferent to the entrechats and the pirouettes, I strolled -about with Ompteda, pretty well certain that, if he were in the mood, -I should soon be posted in all the particulars of the Congress, no one -being more capable than he of attractively dishing up both the news of -the Graben and of the drawing-rooms. - -‘What is the news?’ I asked of my sprightly companion. - -‘Everything is over or nearly over. All the clouds are dispersed. -Europe owes the happy issue of the negotiations to the departure of -Lord Castlereagh.’ - -‘Was Milord, then, the only obstacle to peace?’ - -‘No, you are wrong. It is not that. For the last four months they -have been debating without coming to an agreement. All at once Lord -Castlereagh is called to England for the opening of Parliament. You -may easily conceive that he couldn’t return empty-handed; consequently -he put some life into the deliberations, and hurried the conclusion of -affairs, in order to show some results. What a pity it is the other -nations haven’t some parliaments to be opened! - -‘The Austrian Court is right enough,’ the Baron went on. ‘The European -Areopagus has decided upon the fate of Naples and its imprisoned King -Joachim. Its throne is going to be restored to the Bourbon branch. -You are aware that the Imperial Chancellery decided not to notify -officially the death of Queen Caroline, not knowing what title to give -her. That bit of awkwardness has disappeared too.’ - -‘Yes, I remember that they took hold of a very honest pretext. The -Court, it was said, would not cast a damper on the fêtes of the -Congress by shedding official tears for the daughter of Maria-Theresa. -In reality, the Court did not dare, or did not want, to decide the -question of etiquette reserved for diplomacy, and now they are going -to assume mourning for the poor queen at the moment when it would be -more sensible to sing a _Te Deum_ for the return of her husband to the -throne of his fathers.’ - -‘One of your influential diplomatists here has a sweet trick of his -own to get news from Paris to Vienna for the purpose of dishing it up -in a peculiar fashion. He sends to his wife, Madame la Duchesse, the -draught of a despatch. The docile secretary transcribes it, and a week -after the carrier brings it back. Then they show, under the seal of the -greatest confidence, notes from the Court of the Tuileries which have -neither been dictated nor put in cypher there. In reality, they might -save them the jolting of the journey. - -‘Oh, by the by, have you heard of the duel which has just been fought -between the Prince de ----, and the Comte ----?’ - -‘Yes, I have heard that the two champions were both wounded, but were -so little hurt that their friends are not in the least uneasy.’ - -‘The Vienna public,’ remarked Ompteda, ‘would indeed be surprised if -it knew the cause of the quarrel. The wife of one of these gentlemen -has an unfortunate mania for scents, or rather for one scent of which -she claims to be the inventor. It’s a mixture of rose-water and musk, -sufficiently strong to set all the Italian women troubled with vapours -running. Inasmuch as the lady, who is still very good-looking, though -by no means in the first flush of youth, goes out a great deal, that -undesirable perfume is so well known that she couldn’t enter a room -without her presence being betrayed by it. It so happened that one -fine morning her husband, the Prince ---- walks into the rooms of his -friend the Comte ----. In less than a second his nostrils are assailed -by a scent which he knows but too well, and he exclaims, “My wife has -been here.” “Your wife,” replies the comte. “Not at all.” “You deny -it! Well, then, she is still here, and if I begin to look for her, the -scent will do the rest for me very shortly.” In consequence of this -violent explanation, in which the one denies and the other affirms, the -two friends draw their swords in the room itself, and while each wounds -the other, the lady escapes by a back staircase. The mishap ought to -have cured her. She continues, nevertheless, to drench herself with -that damnable perfume, which might well be called the Tell-tale Scent.’ - -‘People are very sorry about the accident which cost the young Duc -Louis d’Aremberg his life. You know that he was thrown from his horse -on the flagstones of the Josef Platz, and when they lifted him up he -was dead. It appears that birth is no guarantee against the thunders -of the gods. The father of the young duke lost his life out hunting. -His mother was guillotined in France. His brother was exiled in -consequence of a duel in which he killed his adversary; his sister -perished in the historic ball given by Prince Schwartzenberg in Paris. -Was it worth while to call oneself d’Aremberg to be a prey to all these -misfortunes?’ - -‘You were not at the last ball of Gey-Müller, the banker?’ - -‘No, but I was at the similar fête at Arnstein’s, and it was really a -curious sight to me to see the financial world rivalling the Austrian -Court in display, and perhaps surpassing it.’ - -‘The most particular feature of the Gey-Müller ball was not so much its -profusion, its elegance, its exquisite supper, as a fall--not the fall -of an empire, to which people are pretty well used by now--but the fall -of the handsome Madame Pereyra, the daughter of Baron Arnstein. She -was waltzing with Prince Dietrichstein. Carried away by the rapidity -of that Russian waltz, which is like a whirlwind, and getting caught -in the folds of her dress, she fell with her partner, and both rolled -amidst the crowd. You may imagine their confusion. Truly, princes with -the name of Maurice seem to be pursued by a kind of fatality. At the -imperial _carrousel_ you saw Maurice Lichtenstein flung into the middle -of the arena with his horse, and now there is this other Maurice who -gyrates on his back instead of turning round on his legs. However, -there is no accounting for taste.’ - -‘Don’t joke about it, dear baron, for you are unwittingly stoning -me. A similar adventure happened to me in the Salon des Étrangers at -Paris. Fortunately, my pretty partner was masked, which saved her the -trouble of blushing. I, moreover, owed to this fall the overhearing of -a conversation which, at that period, had all the interest of a scene -from a drama. - -‘It was during the first years of the Consulate. The best society of -Europe flocked to Paris. France, probably anxious to get as much joy -out of life as she could after the bloody scenes of the Revolution, -seemed to do everything to forget. The rooms at Frascati were the -resort, or rather the temple, of pleasure. In one part of the building -people of every rank and of both sexes came to risk, under the -disguise of a domino, the fruits of twenty years’ work, or the product -of more ingenious speculations. In another spot, screened by a slight -surface of cardboard and a silk wrap, the most piquant, political, or -amorous intrigues went on. Further on, quadrilles, in which figured -Vestris, Bigottini, and Millière, displayed all their grace and -suppleness. I was waltzing with Madame R----. The crowd surrounding -us was immense. Getting caught in the folds of her domino, my partner -stumbles, falls, and bears me down with her. We were immediately on our -legs again, but, somewhat excited by the accident, Madame R---- asked -me to take her outside the room. Fortunately for us, we ran against the -Marquis de l’Ivry, who had us taken to his own apartments higher up. -The purer air and some stimulant soon got the better of the discomfort -of Madame R----. We were just getting ready to go down to the ball-room -again when we heard a lively conversation in the adjacent apartment. -Beaumarchais has said that in order to hear, you must make up your -mind to listen. Persuaded that it was nothing but a ball intrigue, -we got nearer to the partition, and through its very thin substance -we distinguished two female voices. We were about to draw back -disappointed, when the name of Bonaparte struck our ear. That name, -the talisman of the period, having attracted our attention once more, -we heard one of the ladies say--“I give you my word, my dear Teresina, -that I have done everything friendship could expect of me, but that -it’s all in vain. This morning I made a new attempt, but he will not -listen to anything. In fact, I have been asking myself what could -have prejudiced him so strongly against you. You are the only woman -whose name he has struck off the list of those admitted to my familiar -intercourse. Being afraid of his affronting you personally--a thing for -which I would never console myself--I ventured to come here alone with -my son. At the Château they think I am in bed, but I wanted to see you -to quiet your own mind, and to justify myself.” - -‘“I have never doubted either your heart or your affection, Josephine,” -replied the other lady. “Their loss would be a thousand times more -painful to me than Bonaparte’s prejudices. My conduct has been -sufficiently dignified to make my visits appreciated, and certainly I -shall pay you none without his knowledge. But does he not remember that -the first step of Tallien after the 10th Thermidor was to open for us -the cell where we were both awaiting our death sentence? Can he forget -that the man whose name I bear provided for your children throughout -your captivity? Those children--his own now--were, without doubt, not -consulted before he forbade you my company. He was not Consul when I -shared with you--but pardon me, Josephine, O, forgive me!” - -‘Here there was a burst of sobs, preventing me hearing every word. - -‘“Calm yourself, my dear Teresina. Let us allow the first storm to go -by, and everything will turn out for the best. But above all, don’t let -us irritate him still further. He is very incensed with Ouvrard, and -people say he is at your house, or expected.” - -‘“Oh!” replied Teresina, indignant, “is that it? Does he pretend to -tyrannise over our hearths because he happens to govern France? Must -one sacrifice even one’s dearest and closest affections?” - -‘As she spoke these words there was a knock at the door. It was Eugène -de Beauharnais, who came to fetch one of these ladies. - -‘“Let us go,” he said. “You have been here more than an hour. The -Council is perhaps finished, and what would the First Consul say if he -failed to find you at home?” - -‘We stole away on tiptoe, Madame R---- and I. - -‘“Let’s leave the ball,” I said, going down. “Whatever we may see -there is not worth what we have just heard.” - -‘One of these ladies was Josephine, she who in a short time was to -be Empress. The other was Madame Tallien, as famous for her striking -beauty as for her energetic character; to whom France owed the -overthrow of Robespierre.’ - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII - - The Comte de Rechberg’s Work on the Governments of the Russian - Empire--The King of Bavaria--Polish Poem of Sophiowka-- - Madame Potocka, or the Handsome Fanariote--Her Infancy-- - Particulars of her Life--A Glance at the Park of Sophiowka-- - Subscription of the Sovereigns--Actual State of Sophiowka. - - -The Comte Charles de Rechberg had written an interesting work on the -fifty-two governments of the Russian Empire. The book, both historical -and picturesque, deals with the ethnology of the peoples from the -Great Wall to the Baltic, and from the Crimea to the Pole. It contains -an exact description of the various provinces considered in their -political and commercial aspects, and researches on the archæological -curiosities still to be found there, which study is calculated to -elucidate some migrations of the primitive peoples. The greatest -lavishness had been displayed in this publication, which was enhanced -by magnificent coloured engravings. The price, which varied from 1800 -to 2500 francs, might have been an obstacle to the success of the work; -fortunately Rechberg found one of the most powerful auxiliaries in his -sovereign, the King of Bavaria. From having been the patron of the -Altar, that excellent prince wanted to become the patron of the Book. -He recommended it everywhere, with that particularly happy-go-lucky -and paternal unaffectedness which made him positively worshipped by -every one. He solicited subscriptions, and thanks to this benevolent -intervention, the comte disposed of a great number of copies. Such a -success, obtained in a gathering of so many diverse personages, gave -me the idea of likewise printing a work, inspired by the Muse of -Poetry. In 1811 I had spent at Tulczim, the seat of Comtesse Sophie -Potocka, a twelvemonth which was practically tantamount to a whole -lifetime if counted by the happiness vouchsafed to me then. Very often -I accompanied the countess to Sophiowka, a garden situated close to -Humeng, and one of the most charming creations the mind could conceive. -The Comte Félix Potocki, in order to immortalise the woman whom he -worshipped, had given proof of a magnificence in taste which surpassed -everything Europe had to show of that kind. Trembecki, the most -celebrated poet of Poland, had at the age of seventy recovered all the -fire of his youth, and composed on that garden a poem which practically -passes for a masterpiece. There are, in fact, few educated Poles who do -not know some fragments of that poem by heart. - -This double claim to immortality was worthy of the woman whose beauty -was proverbial, and whom fortune had been pleased to guide from an -obscure position to the summit of the most opulent and conspicuous -nobility of Europe. Her history would constitute a remarkable episode -of her own time if there were nothing in her life but the extraordinary -fact of having been sold twice--in the first place by her mother, in -the second by her husband. But when one has seen, as I have, the pomp -of her fêtes, the unprecedented value of her precious ornaments, the -grandeur of her palaces, and the extent of her power, then one becomes -confounded at those elevations of fortune due to love--to nothing -but love, that magician without a rival. Madame Potocka was born at -Constantinople. It is well known that the great Greek families residing -in that city have experienced all the vicissitudes of fortune as a -consequence of revolutions. It is not surprising, therefore, to see in -the Fanariote quarter the members of those ancient and princely races -pass, at one fell stroke, from extreme opulence to extreme poverty, -and often be obliged to engage in this or that profession, if not -in a downright trade. In a small street, not far from the palace -of Sweden, there lived a poor artisan, though he was an undoubted -descendant of the Commenius family. He had several children, and among -these a girl whose nascent beauty was the admiration of the whole of -the neighbourhood, and the envy of all her companions. M. de B----, a -French gentleman, secretary to the embassy, was one day slowly riding -through the streets of Pera, accompanied by a janissary of the Palais -de France. Near the tomb of the Comte de Bonneval, who became a Turkish -subject, the rider perceived a group of children, and among them a -young girl, between thirteen and fourteen, such as only the beautiful -race of Greece can produce. Struck by her beauty, he gives her a sign -to come up to him, and, a diplomatic functionary being a kind of power -at Pera, the child obeys. The marquis gets off his horse, asks the -child’s name, and begins to inquire about her family. ‘My name is -Sophie,’ replies the child. ‘We are Greeks by origin, and from what my -mother says, well born, but a series of misfortunes has reduced us to -work for our living. My father is a baker.’ The marquis is absolutely -dazzled by the child’s beauty, he is touched by the sound of her voice, -he admires her mind, at once innocent and precocious. After a few other -questions, he leaves Sophie, telling her, however, that he will expect -her mother at the French Embassy. Next morning the poor woman is true -to the appointment. Interrogated about her position, she confesses, -amid bitter tears, that they are very poor, and that their labour is -insufficient to keep the relentless creditors from the door. Thereupon -the marquis proposes to take care of her daughter, to take her to -France, and winds up by offering the mother fifteen hundred piastres to -provide for her most pressing needs. The mother at first refuses. There -is, however, to begin with, the money which would put an end to their -difficulties; and, moreover, the brilliant future for her well-beloved -daughter. Finally, after many tears, hesitations, and heart-burnings, -she gives her consent to the great sacrifice. The document surrendering -her daughter duly signed and sealed, she receives in exchange the -fifteen hundred piastres--a very feeble compensation for the treasure -she was handing over: a monstrous transaction from our point of view no -doubt, but less surprising in a country where one is accustomed to see -a woman become an article of barter. Invested with paternal rights, M. -de B---- scrupulously discharged them. He improved Sophie’s education, -which, as may be easily imagined, had been more than neglected. -He lavished all his care upon her, gave her professors, and, art -seconding nature, Sophie at sixteen had grown into a model of beauty -and perfection in every _genre_. At that time he was recalled by his -Court, and, to spare his pupil the dangers of a sea-voyage, he intended -to come back by way of Poland and Germany. After traversing European -Turkey, he reached Kaminiek Podolski, the first fortress of the Russian -frontier. - -The Comte Jean de Witt, the descendant of the great Dutch Pensionary, -was its governor. He welcomed the noble traveller with the utmost -courtesy and attention, and induced him to stay for some little -time at Kaminiek; but the desire for the marquis’s company and the -consideration due to his rank were not the only causes of the comte’s -pressing invitation. The general had not been proof against Sophie’s -charms, and had become passionately enamoured of her. Informed by -her of her real position, knowing that she was neither servant nor -mistress, but simply a kind of chattel for fifteen hundred piastres, -he did not scruple to follow up his love-declaration by an offer of -marriage. The comte, a very handsome man, and barely thirty, was -already lieutenant-general, and in great favour with Catherine the -Second. The far-seeing Greek girl was sensible enough not to refuse -this first chance, and without a moment’s hesitation she accepted the -hand offered to her. - -Nevertheless, it was perfectly plain to both that the diplomatist would -not willingly part with a possession on which he set so much store. The -general-governor therefore bided his time until his excellency took a -solitary ride outside the fortress. To guard against surprise, he had -the drawbridges raised, then repaired to the church with Sophie, and -a priest gave the young couple his blessing. While the ceremony was -drawing to an end, to the ringing of all the steeples of Kaminiek, his -excellency presented himself before the moat of the place, asking to be -let in. He was informed of what had happened, and to corroborate the -story they showed him the marriage-certificate duly signed and sealed, -and in accordance with the _dénouement_ of every well-constructed -comedy. - -And in order to spare the handsome delinquent the severe reproaches -which in reality her ingratitude and her hurried desertion would -have fully justified, the general sent word to the members of his -excellency’s suite to pack up their traps and to join their chief -without the walls. They were also to take back all the gifts Sophie -had received from the marquis, not even excepting the fifteen hundred -piastres of the primary contract; and the young bride added a letter -full of excuses for having disposed of her hand and heart without the -permission of her second father. M. de B---- could only give vent to -his anger, not unjustified, by imprecations on and reproaches to those -who were not to blame. Perfectly convinced, though, that he could -not remain all his life contemplating the walls of the fortress, and -that there was no probability of the two Courts suspending amicable -relations to revenge an affront without a remedy, and to enforce -restitution of another Helen to another Menelaus, the marquis pursued -his journey, determined not to be caught a second time trafficking -with a merchandise no doubt precious in its way, but only precious when -it is given and not sold. - -After a honeymoon which lasted several years, and during which a -son was born to him, the Comte de Witt obtained leave of absence, -and journeyed to all the Courts of Europe with his beautiful Greek. -Practically, theirs was a triumphal procession. The wondrous beauty -of the girl, enhanced by all the sensuous and piquant charms of the -East, transformed the tour into a kind of series of fairy tales. It -was at that period that the Prince de Ligne, who at first gave me all -those particulars, afterwards confirmed by Sophie herself, saw her at -the Court of France. He subsequently saw her at the siege of Ismaël, -where she was particularly distinguished by Prince Potemkin. Kings, -statesmen, warriors, philosophers--all gave one the idea, in their -intercourse with the beauteous Sophie, of Socrates, Pericles, and -Alcibiades crowding around Aspasia to purify their taste and to sharpen -the edge of their oratory. - -The second period of her life was practically a marvellously fit -completion of the first. The Comte Félix Potocki, at the commencement -of the troubles in Poland, had, by the influence of his rank and his -immense fortune, gathered around him a great party. Momentarily absent -from his Court, he was on his way back from Italy when, at Hamburg, he -fell in with Comte and Comtesse de Witt. He became ardently enamoured -of Sophie, and without entering into the details of a story which, -though short enough, was full of incidents, I pass to the _dénouement_, -which he accelerated in a novel fashion. Nothing is easier in Poland -than a divorce. The abuse of the law is carried to such an extent that -I have known a M. Wortzel who had no fewer than four living wives -bearing his name. The Comte Potocki took advantage of this state of -things. Having taken all the necessary measures beforehand, he went to -see the Comte de Witt one morning. - -‘I can no longer live without your wife,’ he said. ‘I am certain that -I am not indifferent to her. I prefer to owe my happiness to you, and -to preserve an eternal gratitude. Here are two documents. The one is an -act of divorce, and only wanting your signature; your wife’s is already -there. The other is a voucher for two millions of florins to be paid -by my banker this morning. Let us terminate this affair in an amicable -way, or in another way if you like, but let’s terminate it.’ - -The husband, no doubt, remembered the drawbridges of Kaminiek. He made -the best of a bad business, like the French embassy-secretary, and -signed; and handsome Sophie, from Comtesse de Witt as she was, became -that same day Comtesse Potocka, this time adding to the prestige of her -beauty the advantage of a wealth which had not its equal in Europe. At -one moment there seemed even a higher destiny in store for her, when in -1791 the majority of the grandees of Poland had agreed to sacrifice a -part of their privileges to procure the appeasement of their country. -Catherine, to give more importance to this confederation, decided that -Potocki should be its chief. To induce him to accept the position, -she even dangled the crown before his eyes. One day, at the end of a -solemnity, she took her diadem from her brow and placed it on the head -of Potocki, saying, ‘This would suit you admirably well, comte.’ - -Everybody knows the sequel of this comedy, and how the pledges were -kept. When that dream was over, Potocki simply studied to make the -woman he idolised thoroughly happy. The art, the talent, the pomp -and splendour of various parts of the world were all called into -requisition to add to her happiness. To satisfy her desires and her -slightest fancies, he absolutely realised all that the imagination may -conceive in the way of fairy tales. One day she expressed a wish for a -set of pearl ornaments. The count asked for a twelvemonth to offer one -worthy of her. He sent to every capital of Europe and Asia the drawing -of a pearl, and informed the jewellers that he would pay a thousand -louis for each one that equalled the model in size and brilliancy. They -gathered a hundred, and at the next St. Sophia’s day he clasped round -the charming neck of his wife a necklace worth a hundred thousand louis. - -At the death of Comte Potocki, Sophie practically found herself at the -head of his colossal fortune, either in virtue of direct personal gift -or as the trustee of the children born of her second marriage. It was -shortly after this that I made her acquaintance at St. Petersburg, -and accompanied her to her estate at Tulczim. Even at that period the -celebrated Sophie was a most ravishing creature. Her beauty was really -marvellous, and reminded me of nothing so much as the models the Greek -statuaries of old must have employed to create their divinities. - -It would require volumes to convey an idea of the life led at Tulczim. -Sophie saw life from so high a point that she no longer seemed to -belong to the world surrounding her, which her beauty kept incessantly -at her feet. It was not that she was vain or imperious, but she was -beautiful, and she knew it. This never-ceasing worship had made an -idol of her, and from the altar on which they had placed her, she -paid the incense with a look and the praise with a smile. Queen in -virtue of her beauty, she seemed to say, ‘The world--I am the world!’ -Her palace was the temple of hospitality. The stranger who came to -ask an asylum was royally put up for a fortnight: horses, carriages, -and servants were placed at his disposal, without his being obliged -to show himself to his hostess, but on the sixteenth day he was to -present himself, if only in order to take his leave. And that sort of -thing, be it remembered, was practised, not under the tent of the Arab -of the desert, nor in the hut of a Laplander, but in an enchanted -palace of which Sophie was the Fairy Queen. No wonder that she often -said, ‘People have paid me visits at Tulczim which have lasted for -three years.’ I remember, among others, a fête she gave to Madame -Narischkine, Alexander the First’s friend. It lasted for three days. -About the same period I accompanied her on a journey to the Crimea, to -take possession of some territory which had been granted to her by an -imperial favour, and on the site of which she wished to found a town -named Sophiopolis. - -At the eastern point of the Crimea there uprises a double promontory. -On that spot stood the temple whose priestess was Iphigenia. Between -those two promontories lies the delightful valley where reigns eternal -spring. The olive- and orange-trees grow wild. The Greeks, fitly to -render homage to the beauty of the spot, called it Kaloslimen. It was -there that Sophiopolis was to be erected. We got to the summit of Cape -Laspi. The countess built a pavilion there whence she could inspect -the works. It was on the same spot that Catherine II. was struck with -admiration at the sight of the picture unfolded before her, regretting -that the Euxine, which rose to the horizon, hid Constantinople from her. - -Wishing to perpetuate the memory of the woman whom he had so deeply -loved, Comte Potocki decided that the gardens should bear the name -of Sophie, and should surpass in magnificence, as well as in taste, -all that antiquity and modern times had that was most remarkable. To -realise this project he chose a vast space, where savage nature could -lend itself to the embellishments of art. He employed two thousand -peasants as navvies for ten years, and spent twenty millions. Enormous -masses of rock were transported and rivers turned out of their courses. -Finally, near a spot which is only known by the exile of Ovid, he -realised among the steppes of Yedissen what the imagination of Tasso -could lend to the gardens of Armida. - -During my stay at Tulczim, I often visited that beautiful garden, and -I always remained in ecstasies before that unique creation. I did -not wonder that it had revived the septuagenarian muse of Trembecki. -Seduced by the hope of acquitting towards that noble family of Potocki -a debt of gratitude, I attempted, during my stay at Tulczim, to -translate into French verse the beautiful inspirations of the Polish -bard. When my task was finished, I desired to enhance the work, by -investing it with a splendour that might complement its literary merit. -The Comte Jean Potocki came to my aid with his profound knowledge, and -Mr. William Allan, an English landscape-painter, to-day the President -of the Royal Academy of Painting in Edinburgh, lent me the magic of -his brush. I intended to publish the work in France, when the desire -to witness in Vienna the unique scenes being enacted there brought me -to the capital of Austria. Having witnessed the success obtained by -the Comte de Rechberg, thanks to the assistance of King Maximilian, -surrounded by all the masters of art grouping themselves around this -gathering of sovereigns, I bethought myself of placing my verses -under the patronage of the European celebrities whom the Congress -had brought together. I began to take steps, and to solicit, with -the hope of inscribing them at the head of my translation, names of -celebrity which should serve it as an ægis. The familiar footing on -which everybody was living with every one else in Vienna obviated much -of the difficulty which my efforts would have cost elsewhere. With -nearly all the sovereigns it was sufficient to present oneself to be -received, without asking for a special interview. In a few days my -subscription list was full. The Emperor and Empress of Russia were the -first to put their names down for several copies. The Kings of Prussia, -Denmark, Bavaria, and, in short, every illustrious personage in Vienna, -followed suit. I had Polish type cast. The printing was confided to -the presses of the celebrated Strauss. Krudner did the engravings. -Nothing was spared to invest the publication with all the beauty to -which it could lend itself. The first copies had just been ‘pulled’ -when the news reached us of the landing of Napoleon at Cannes. From -that moment people troubled very little about literature and poetry, -but there were a great many diplomatic conferences, declarations, and -preparations for war. Nearly all the subscribers left Vienna without -taking their copies. I myself left the city a little while afterwards -to go to Paris; and of the whole of my attempt there only remained the -recollection of the gracious reception of the sovereigns, and one of -the most curious collections of autographs in the hands of any author. -Men in Vienna--Russians and Poles--without distinction subscribed -for the publication of the songs of Trembecki. People little dreamt -that, fifty years later, that beautiful garden would be taken away -from the family of its founder, confiscated in consequence of the last -revolution of Poland. Sophieowka has been added to the domains of the -Emperor of Russia. They have even taken away its name, which it owed to -love. To-day it is called Czaritzine-Gad (the garden of the Czarina). -There is, however, something more powerful than arms, than conquests, -than the decrees of kings. It is the empire of memory and of poesy. The -beautiful verses of Trembecki will endure, and in ages to come people -will always pronounce the name, and the only name of Sophieowka. - - - - -CHAPTER XIX - - A Luncheon at M. de Talleyrand’s on his Birthday--M. de - Talleyrand and the MS.--The Princesse-Maréchale Lubomirska - --The New Arrivals--Chaos of Claims--The Indemnities of - the King of Denmark--Rumours of the Congress--Arrival of - Wellington at Vienna--The Carnival--Fête of the Emperor of - Austria--A Masked Rout--The Diadem, or Vanity Punished--A - Million--Gambling and Slavery: a Russian Anecdote. - - -Among the memories of the Congress which I recall with the utmost -gratitude is that of a very familiar--I might almost say a family-fête -at M. de Talleyrand’s. It was a luncheon, partaken of solely by his -ambassadorial staff, a few of his intimate friends, and a still -smaller number of notable Frenchmen, then in Vienna. This matutinal -entertainment was given in honour of his birthday; the prince was -entering on his sixty-first year. Those who are fond of collecting -the smallest particulars about a celebrated man have not forgotten -to note the minute details of the Prince de Talleyrand’s toilet, -and the ‘coquettishness’ of his rising. In fact, it partook of the -peculiarities both of Mazarin’s and of Madame de Pompadour’s. Somewhat -anxious to study its details, I followed to the great man’s bedroom MM. -Boyne de Faye and Rouen, who were going to present their good wishes to -their illustrious patron. - -At that moment the model diplomatist pushed his head between the heavy -curtains of his bed. A small number of the most privileged were already -assembled. Wrapped in a plaited and goffered muslin _peignoir_, the -prince proceeded to attend to his luxuriant hair, which he surrendered, -not like the man in La Fontaine’s fable, to two women, but to two -hairdressers, who, after a great deal of brandishing of arms and combs, -ended by producing the _ensemble_ of wavy hair with which everybody is -familiar. Then came the barber’s turn, dispensing at the end a cloud of -powder; the head and the hands being finished, they proceeded to the -toilet of the feet, a somewhat less recreative detail, considering the -by no means pleasant smell of the Barège Water employed to strengthen -his lame leg. When all this was accomplished with the greatest care, -we, though not valets, were enabled to judge the hero of diplomacy -in his dressing-gown. To me personally, he looked better than in his -ministerial court-dress. He looked the natural man: the model of that -noble and courteous manner is no longer anything but a memory. When all -those ablutions of water and perfume were terminated, his head servant, -whose only function consisted in superintending the whole, came forward -to tie his stock into a very smart knot. Then came the other parts of -the adjustment. I am bound to say that all these transformations were -carried out with the ease of a grand seigneur, and a nonchalance never -over-stepping the good form which only permitted us to see the man, -without having to trouble about his metamorphosis. At table, M. de -Talleyrand not only showed his customary grace and urbanity, but he was -in reality more amiable than in his reception-rooms, where, in spite -of his free and easy demeanour, one always felt conscious that he kept -a check upon himself. It was no longer that habitual silence which, as -has been said, he had transformed into the art of eloquence, just as he -had transformed his experience into a kind of divination. Though less -profound, his talk was perhaps all the more charming. It came straight -from the heart, and flowed without restraint. - -[Illustration: Ch. Maurice de Talleyrand] - -Although Madame de Périgord was present, the duties of the table -entirely devolved upon the prince. He served all the dishes, -suggested all the wines, addressing each guest in a few sprightly -and kindly words. If, perchance, some one attempted to turn the -conversation into the channel of politics, which in Vienna is a very -habitual weakness, at that very moment he began to talk of this or that -thing so utterly foreign to the question just broached as to cause one -to think that diplomacy was altogether antipathetic to him. He told -us that he was so fond of receiving birthday wishes that, as a rule, -he kept up two days, the Saint Charles and the Saint Maurice, without -forgetting his real birthday. - -‘Those two saints,’ he added, ‘would always prove the best landmarks in -my recollections, if ever the fancy took me to write my own life. With -their aid I could co-ordinate all my years, happy or sad, and I should -be able to say where I was on the days of their appearance in the -calendar.’ - -Madame de Périgord told us that she had received that very morning a -Latin manuscript on the history of Courland. It was dedicated by the -author to Prince Louis, the husband of her mother. - -‘A manuscript!’ interrupted the prince, somewhat excitedly. ‘That -reminds me of one of the most curious circumstances of my life. When, -after my return from America, I was in Hamburg, I made the acquaintance -of a gentleman who, like myself, lodged at the inn of the Römische -Kaiser. We had met at the _table d’hôte_, and he had asked me to read -the manuscript of a work of his--I no longer remember the subject. I -accepted the ordeal, and went to my room. It so happened that on that -same day I had been to MM. de Chapeau-Rouge, my bankers, and taken from -the remains of a very small credit about fifteen louis. When I got to -my room, I opened the manuscript to read it, and between its leaves I -deposited my small treasure, wrapped in a sheet of paper. At six in the -morning there was a violent knocking at my door, and my author rushed -in to inform me that he was going to take ship at that very moment for -London, and that he would be pleased to have his manuscript. Half awake -and half asleep, I made him a sign to take his manuscript, which was -lying on his table, and half sarcastically called to him, “A pleasant -journey.” Then I turned round in my bed and fell asleep again. Alas, -the wretch took my money with him, and chance did for him what no -publisher would have done for his manuscript. I never saw him again, -or my fifteen louis, and was obliged to return to my bankers in a sad -frame of mind to withdraw the rest left to me, promising myself that -they would not catch me examining manuscripts again.’ - -We went into a small drawing-room, where on a table were all the -presents that had been sent from Paris. There were some from the -Duchesse de Luynes, from the Princesse de Vaudémont, from Mme. -Jyskewicz, and from many other ladies, who, knowing his fondness for -those delicate attentions, never failed to send them at the three -periods to which he had referred during luncheon. On a couch were laid -out all his orders, and there were enough and to spare. Odd to relate, -the most brilliant ones in the way of precious stones had been given by -the minor princes. - -M. de Talleyrand went on chatting to us for a little while, his most -casual sentences being marked by a graceful unaffectedness, so strongly -contrasting with his diplomatic reputation. His expressions were, -however, always simple; they, as it were, derived their value from the -attitude and the courtesy of the grand seigneur, which were not at -fault. - -When he finally left us to go to M. de Metternich’s, I was not at -all in agreement with what was said about him. People pretended that -M. de Talleyrand in his dressing-gown was, as far as intellectual -conversation went, a different man from M. de Talleyrand in Court -dress; in a word, that the latter was practically indispensable to him. -Personally, I have seen him in the political drawing-rooms of Paris, -London, and Vienna, and only once was I received amidst his nearest -and dearest. Well, among my recollections of that celebrated man, the -last-mentioned is unquestionably the most constantly present to my -mind, and also the most vivid. - -Among the drawing-rooms capable of vying with that of M. de Talleyrand -in the matter of ‘exquisite form,’ elegance, and delicate observance of -society’s unwritten code, one was bound to name, first of all, that of -the Princesse-Maréchale Lubomirska.[101] Having taken up her residence -in Vienna, she appears to have accepted the task of keeping open house -for all the strangers who wished to be presented to her. No one could -convey a more exact idea of the fabulous existence of all those Polish -grandees in their most splendid days. She, as it were, combined within -herself all that was known about the grandeur of the Potockis and the -Czartoryskis, the magnificence of the Radziwills, the noble splendour -of the Lubomirskis, and of all the others, the recollection of whom -has become imperishable. Her palace situated near the fortifications, -her servants, the footing of her establishment, in fact everything, -represented a partly European, partly Asiatic whole. Being particularly -intimate with her grandson Frederick, I had been welcomed as an old -acquaintance. - -The month of February, which had brought us back a few rays of -sunshine, had also brought back to the Graben the swarm of idlers and -newsmongers who had been dislodged by the cold and the snow. Added -to this, there was a considerable influx of newcomers, more numerous -perhaps than in the first days of the Congress. These had been -attracted to Vienna by the carnival. The promenades, the public places, -and the fortifications were positively swarming with people, and the -theatres, balls and entertainments, somewhat neglected during the few -previous weeks, had recovered all their former favour. It was a revival -of pleasure, and as if the whole of Europe had made it a point to send -representatives to this joyous pilgrimage at Vienna, there was no -longer a mention of the termination of the Congress, so often foretold -and so often denied. - -It was really the realisation of the Prince de Ligne’s words: ‘The -Congress does not march along; it dances along’; and they might easily -have written up the words they painted in large characters on the site -of the dismantled Bastille, ‘Dancing going on here.’ - -Prince Koslowski kept me posted in all the particulars of the endless -sittings. ‘Are the other arbiters agreed?’ he said, in answer to my -question. ‘Not in the least. The Polish question has been settled; -but all the others are as far as ever from being settled. The fate of -Saxony and of its king is by no means decided. Prussia asks for the -ancient Belgian provinces, the territory of Treves and Cologne. France, -who is not at all anxious for that neighbour, does not want Prussia on -the left bank of the Rhine. On the other hand, she insists upon the -throne of Naples being restored to the Bourbon branch. Take it all in -all, it is nothing but a tangled skein. And to crown it all, the King -of Denmark is joining the throng, and is asking for what each sovereign -is pleased to call his indemnities.’ - -‘That is certainly an imprudent request. Frederick ought to think -himself very lucky to have passed unperceived amidst this chaos of -pretensions.’ - -In fact, among all those sovereigns who were to leave Vienna with the -spoils of some of their neighbours, the King of Denmark alone was fated -to remain strictly within his old territorial limits. Consequently -everybody repeated his reply to Alexander when they parted. ‘Sire,’ -said the czar, ‘you carry all hearts away with you.’ ‘All hearts -possibly, but not a single soul,’ answered the king, with a significant -smile. To understand the witty allusion of the word, I must again -remind the reader that the word ‘soul’ means ‘subject,’ and that all -the decisions of the Congress were based upon the number of inhabitants -of the countries that changed rulers. From that point of view, the King -of Denmark had been the least well treated. - -‘And now the Duke of Wellington has come to Vienna. He arrived -yesterday, and the diplomatists depend much upon his co-operation. They -hope that the esteem in which the sovereigns hold him will remove many -difficulties retarding the progress of the deliberations, and that he -will be able to obtain sacrifices which seem beyond the power of Lord -Castlereagh. - -‘Milord, it is said, takes his departure loaded, not with diplomatic -trophies, but with presents. To the orders which he still lacked, and -which the sovereigns, large and small, have now promptly sent him, the -Empress of Austria has added two magnificent vases from the porcelain -works. My lady will be very pleased with this imperial gift. - -‘Are you going to the rout to-night?’ asked the prince, leaving me. -‘Wellington is going, and of course all Vienna will be there.’ - -Odd to relate, in a town at that moment sheltering all the illustrious -men of Europe, the arrival of Wellington had set both the Court and the -diplomatic centres agog--the Court, because it supplied something new, -for which they were really at a loss; diplomacy, because it was assured -that he came to replace Castlereagh, whose policy was generally -blamed, and because it was no small thing to have to treat with a new -colleague. Mr. Wellesley-Pole, a member of the House of Commons and a -relative of the duke, arrived at the same time. He was one of the most -brilliant Englishmen in Vienna, the owner of an immense rent-roll, -and endowed with a varied and deep knowledge. He was an honour to the -nation he represented. Curiosity, therefore, was excited to the highest -degree. Everybody wished to know a man to whom the fortunes of war had -been so constantly favourable, who, by his doggedness and perseverance, -had been able to hold in check the genius of Napoleon. The sovereigns -called upon him, and he was literally loaded with honours. In the -evening, when the rumour ran that he was going to the rout, between -seven and eight thousand spectators rushed into the place. When he -made his appearance, accompanied by Lord Castlereagh, a masked lady, -supposed to be Lady Castlereagh, hanging on his arm, the whole of -the crowd rushed towards them. They were probably accustomed to that -kind of reception, and must have felt flattered at such a proof of -popularity. Finally, not the least curious result of his arrival was -the fluctuation in the public securities, which caused a loss and gain -of several millions in a few days; for in Vienna as elsewhere, stock -gambling seized the slightest occasion to bring about those rapid -fluctuations. - - * * * * * - -The birthday fête of the Emperor of Austria, which happened to -come amidst all these rejoicings, was spent in the privacy of his -family. His health did not permit it to be celebrated with all the -pomp generally displayed. The reception, in spite of its being less -numerous, nevertheless presented a most rare spectacle. Nearly all its -members called each other ‘brother’ or ‘cousin,’ and those brothers -were the most powerful sovereigns of Europe. In the morning, Emperor -Alexander had preceded them all, wearing the uniform of an Austrian -general, and giving his arm to his charming wife. He tendered his -wishes and offered his bouquet with that cordial simplicity that adds -so delightfully to the expressions of friendship. For some time those -monarchs had each adopted a particular society in which they lived on a -most familiar footing. Nevertheless, when they assembled together their -affectionate familiarity was very genuine. - -The masked routs were more numerously attended than ever. Griffiths and -I went one evening to one of those gatherings, which might fitly be -termed the magic-lanterns of the Congress, in virtue of the number and -variety of the personages present. The crowd was so considerable that, -after having opened all the rooms, they were obliged to shut the outer -doors and to refuse admission to a great number. Nothing could convey -an idea of the happy-go-lucky animation presiding at this gathering -of so many diverse elements. In the crowd I ran up against Prince -Koslowski. - -‘To watch on all sides this exchange of sweet smiles and sweet looks, -and hand-pressures sweeter still, one might call the Vienna rout an -exchange for the traffic of amorous assets.’ - -‘Beaumarchais said that before you about the Opéra of Paris, but you -could add, as an appendix, that all such kinds of assets are marketable -on all the dancing exchanges of Europe. - -‘Just watch that young woman, so simply disguised as a Calabrian -peasant,’ the prince went on. ‘She seems to remember how dearly her -mother once paid for an impulse of vanity. That mother, who was -distantly related to my family, found out that an imperial diadem may -often cruelly hurt the head, even if politics are altogether foreign to -the attempt to wear it.’ - -The lady was pretty, the anecdote promised to be interesting. I asked -my bright interlocutor to tell it to me. He complied with my wish. - -‘One day Empress Catherine made up her mind to clean the enormous mass -of jewels of all kinds buried in the coffers that, since the reign of -Peter the Great, had swallowed up enormous treasures of which there -seem to be scarcely any knowledge in the palace. Dreading some theft -during that general overhaul, the emperor appointed two captains of the -guards to superintend the work. The father of our pretty mask was one -of them. The view of all this wealth produced such a fascination in the -eyes and the minds of the two inspectors that they also conceived the -fatal idea of robbery. They agreed to abstract part of those treasures, -hoping that the theft would pass unperceived. The spoil was divided -between them. The one to whom came a lot of pearls lost no time in -sending them to Amsterdam by a man in his trust. There, sold secretly, -the money he received was employed by him in the repurchase of some -family estates, which, however, he had the prudence to settle on his -son. The other, whose share consisted of diamonds, waited for spring -to proceed to England, promising himself to dispose of them to greater -advantage than through the intermediary of an agent. - -‘Among the number of stolen objects there was a diadem whose value -exceeded a hundred thousand roubles. All these objects had been -carefully hidden in the remotest corner of his apartments. Fatality, -however, always dogs crime, and his wife discovered the hiding-place. -In vain did her husband swear to her that the diadem did not belong to -him, and that it was entrusted to his honour to keep for awhile. She -begged of him, not to give it to her, but to let her wear it, if only -for a moment, at one of the Court balls. He resisted, but she worried, -begged, and wept to that extent that the captain, madly in love with -his wife, unhappily gave in, trusting that the jewel, which had not -seen daylight for perhaps a hundred years, would escape recognition by -a person of the new generation. The young woman, who did not perceive -that this diadem was metaphorically searing her forehead, got as far -as the ball-room of the Hermitage. I need scarcely tell you of the -looks of admiration and envy that marked her appearance. Up till then -everything had gone well, but just amidst her greatest triumph old Mme. -Pratazoff, standing behind the chair of the empress, hears Catherine go -into raptures about the brilliancy of those stones. - -‘“Madame,” says her confidante, bending over her, “there is no occasion -for your majesty to be astonished. That diadem belonged to your -majesty’s aunt, the empress. I have seen her wear it a score of times.” - -‘The words supplied, as it were, a flash of light to Catherine, who got -up, drew near to the young woman, who, delighted with her triumph, had, -like Cinderella, forgotten her promise only to wear the jewel for a -moment. - -‘“May I ask you, madame,” said the empress, “who is the jeweller who -mounted these stones?” - -‘The young woman, in her confusion, names the first jeweller she can -think of. The empress, after a few insignificant remarks, leaves her, -and meanwhile the young woman continues to dance with the ill-fated -diadem fastened to her head, more threatening than the sword of -Damocles, The empress at once sends an aide-de-camp to inquire of the -jeweller in question since when, and for whom, he had mounted that -diadem. The jeweller of course denies all knowledge of the affair. The -reply comes back immediately. Once more the empress interrogates the -young woman. - -‘“You have played the fool with me. Your jeweller denies having sold -you this diadem. I am determined to know whence it came to you.” - -‘The severe tone put an end to the young woman’s faint show of -confidence. She stammered and stuttered, and Catherine’s suspicions -were soon changed into certainties. The order was immediately given to -arrest the two unworthy inspectors. Both, judged and proved guilty, -were sent to Siberia; but by a strange freak, he who had sold the -pearls in Holland, and transmitted their proceeds to his son, was left -in possession, while the diamonds found in the house of the other were -carefully brought back to the treasury. When, after some years of -expiation the empress pardoned the two culprits, the first might well -lay the flattering unction to his soul that justice was, after all, -only a fable. The other would for ever curse his want of firmness, -which had cost him his reputation and his future career. As for the -young woman, she dearly paid for the short-lived satisfaction of her -vanity, and the momentary gratification of outvying her rivals.’ - -After having made the round of the rooms once or twice, Griffiths and I -left the Burg early. It was a beautiful evening, and we walked back to -the Jaeger-Zeil. Passing before the mansion of the Comte de Rosenberg, -we noticed that it was ablaze with light. Servants in resplendent -livery crossed the courts carrying salvers with ices and fruits, while -from the inside arose the strains of a harmonious band and the sound of -many joyous voices. - -‘It seems to me,’ I said to my companion, ‘that your countryman, Mr. -Raily, treats his royal guest more sumptuously than usual to-day. If he -goes on in that way his credit of a million at Arnstein’s won’t go far.’ - -‘When that’s gone there will be more,’ replied Griffiths. ‘The career -of professional gamesters is so thoroughly made up of unforeseen events -and strange episodes, fortune comes so often to their aid, that the -words “ruin,” “chance,” “audacity,” “opulence” are practically present -in every line of their biography. Sometimes among all this there is -also a flash of generosity, of devotion, and of downright magnanimity -on their part. If the common observer had the clue to the enigma of -these existences, then assuredly would vanish the fantastic prestige he -fancies he sees in the fate of those Bohemians of Courts, of gambling -hells, and palaces. - -‘The origin of that credit of a million of florins is connected with -a fact which Mr. Rally has told me since our last visit to him,--a -fact which marvellously characterises the infinite possibilities -of gambling. One morning, an elegant carriage, with four superbly -caparisoned horses, their manes flowing in the wind, stopped at the -door of Mr. Rally’s temporary residence in Moscow. A man of about -thirty, with a frank and open countenance, alighted from it. He sends -in his name, and presents himself, with those easy manners which are -always a passport for a man who has no other recommendation. “Pray -excuse my visit,” he said to Mr. Rally in very pure French, “but I -have had the advantage of meeting you now and again in public, and -I have presumed upon the circumstance to call upon you. I hope you -will excuse the liberty.” When he had seated himself he went on. “The -matter I wish to speak to you about is of the highest importance to -me, but allow me to ask you for a promise that, whether you consent -or refuse to render me the service I have come to ask, you will keep -the secret.” Mr. Rally promised at once, and the young man went on. -“My name is Soueskof-Feodorowich. I am a merchant of the first class. -You are no doubt aware of the rank we occupy among the bourgeoisie. -I live in your neighbourhood, but my business house and my habitual -home are at Toula. You are, I have been told, an English gentleman who -has taken up his quarters for a few months in Moscow, and, like most -of your distinguished countrymen, you play heavily and in the noblest -manner. That is what is done in Russia, and, for the matter of that, -everywhere. But I have been told moreover, monsieur, that you play -carefully, and allow me to congratulate you on the fact, for this -gives you a great guarantee against being duped. You’ll excuse me if -I add that this reputation induced me to present myself to you.” Mr. -Rally was somewhat surprised at this preamble, but before he could -translate his surprise into words his visitor resumed, “I, monsieur, -never gamble. I do not even know a game, but I come in furtherance -of an attempt, the success of which will depend upon you, in which -gambling will play a part. I have heard you praised for your noble -character; I have perfect faith in it, and I have come to place in -your hands a possession prized highly by every Englishman--namely, -liberty. That word, from my lips, may seem strange to you. The first -gift of God after life is liberty. Well, sir, that liberty, without -which life is nothing, I am for ever deprived of. I speak of it as the -blind hankers after the light. I am a serf, and perhaps it is reserved -for you to efface from my forehead that ignominious stigma, that mark -of opprobrium which the law compels us to engrave on our doors, that -scutcheon of infamy which we inherit from generation to generation, -like the sign that God’s finger set on the brow of Cain. My request -to you is this. In this vortex which one calls grand society you no -doubt meet now and again the Comte K----, an ensign in the regiment -of Chevalier Guards. He is one of the young men most in renown at the -English Club. He astonishes by his audacity, his display, and his -arrogance the most adventurous gamblers!” - -‘“It is true,” said Raily, “ours is a very intimate acquaintance.” - -‘“Oh, it is, after all, without importance, I dare say, for the real -basis of it--esteem--is wanting. You cannot possibly esteem the comte, -and in this you are only following common opinion. His vanity, which he -mistakes for pride, his impertinence, which he mistakes for courage, -his cackle, which he mistakes for learning, are all he possesses. -Beyond that he has absolutely nothing: neither heart nor soul, nor -bowels. Such creatures may become acquaintances, they can never be our -friends.” “Your portrait is the reverse of flattering,” said Raily; -“but what does it all amount to?” “It amounts to this, monsieur; I am -bound to tell you with shame on my face and hell in my heart that I am -that man’s slave, that he is my master.” His excitement got the better -of him for a moment, then he went on. “The comte’s father lived on one -of his estates near Orel. My father, who while very young had become -attached to him personally, served him most faithfully--so faithfully, -in fact, that the old man at his death left him a considerable sum -of money, without, however, giving him his liberty. Like many other -serfs, my father employed the money in trafficking in furs and skins -with Eastern Russia. Having been very successful in trade, his fortune -increased rapidly; and as a matter of course, his establishment assumed -a proportionate footing. While I was still a mere lad, my father gave -shelter to a victim of the French Revolution, many of whom exile had -brought to our country. M. de B----, a man of great parts, looked to -my education. He was like a second father to me, and whatever I am, I -practically owe to him. Being aware of our position, he often suggested -to me to put an end to it, by accompanying him to some foreign land. I -should, however, have had to leave my own country; my father would have -been responsible for my doings; and the least punishment that he would -have suffered would have been to leave his magnificent home in order to -resume his labour as a serf. Another cause, based upon something more -powerful than reason, bound me to this ignominious vassalage--love. -I loved, monsieur, and was beloved; and though I recoiled from the -thought of associating with my fate a young and well-born woman, who -in uniting herself to me would have ceased to be free, I cherished -the flattering hope that time would abolish those iniquitous laws, -that sooner or later Emperor Alexander, the moral regenerator of -his country--as his illustrious ancestor Peter the Great was the -regenerator of his people--that Alexander would break our iron yoke, -that he would treat us like the peasants living on the shores of the -Baltic, or like the serfs on some of his own imperial domains; that, -in fact, ere long the country would be indebted to him for the moral -emancipation of forty millions of thinking beings, whose intelligence -is crushed in the vice of an arbitrary power. Our masters, however, -would sooner forgive him the greatest excesses of that arbitrary power -than the exercise of that same power in favour of the humbler class of -his subjects. In short, I hoped that, free at last, I should be able -to lead Eudoxia to the altar, not sullied with the woollen band of the -slave, but beaming beneath the white and pure wreath attached to the -head of the free wife. Up to this day, I have hoped in vain. My father -died; I not only continued his commerce, but extended it to the East; -and in a few years doubled the very considerable fortune he left me.” - -‘“Why not propose to the comte to buy your freedom?” remarked Mr. Raily. - -‘“He would refuse. He is not one of the owners who would support a -rational system of emancipation,” was the answer, followed by a most -sombre picture of the condition of the serfs; and he finally added, -“Well, monsieur, the end of all this wretchedness, the possession of -the woman I worship, who’ll die of grief if we cannot be united--in -short, liberty, all this I may possibly owe to you; and in that case -you will have been to me more than a man, more than a friend, you -will have been nothing less than a god.” “What am I to do?” asked Mr. -Raily. “I am disposed to help you, but you must explain?” “You are fond -of gaming, monsieur. What’s merely a pastime with you, is a frantic -passion with the Comte K----. He sacrifices everything to it; and it -will infallibly lead to his ruin. Nothing, therefore, will be easier -than to get him to play with you. Get him to stake a small estate he -has on the banks of the Volga; it’s a village counting no more than -fifty households, and the industry of which consists in making nails. -That estate he’ll not sell at any price; but for that, it would have -been mine long ago. But in the feverish excitement of the game, he -may be brought to stake it, he may lose it, and all my hope is there. -If that village, where my father and I were born, where the rest of -my relations are living--if that estate becomes mine, we shall all be -free. And now, monsieur, you have my secret, and you are the arbiter of -my fate. If you consent to come to my aid, your word will be sufficient -for me, and you may raise your stakes to any amount, double them, -increase them fourfold, as long as you get your final triumph. You have -got an unlimited credit on my bank, and I wish you to make use of it -unreservedly. Whatever may be your luck, if it remained persistently -contrary--even if it ruined me--I should still be eternally grateful to -you for having understood me, for having listened to my prayer, and for -having attempted to make me happy and free.” - -‘Raily promised everything, and the two men parted, and that will -explain to you how he and the Comte K---- soon confronted each other -at the gaming table. Manœuvring very cleverly, the Englishman at -the outset suffered defeat upon defeat. His adversary, intoxicated -by his success, literally clung to him like his shadow. He followed -him everywhere--at the hunt, at the ball, at the promenade: he never -left him. No courtier of Versailles or St. James’s was more exact at -the rising and retiring of a sovereign. The game of faro, then very -fashionable at Moscow, was, as a matter of course, that selected by -the two antagonists. The comte held the bank. The sum lost by Raily -already amounted to fifty thousand roubles. The Russian had tasted -blood and liked it, but at last it came to the other one to deal the -cards, and from that moment the luck turned. One day after dinner the -game went so much in Mr. Raily’s favour that he won everything the -Comte K---- possessed in roubles, in paper-money, in objects of art, -even to the holy images, richly chased in gold and precious stones, on -which Russians set such store. Raily won everything; and when daylight -appeared the heap of riches lay around the table which had served for -their game. Nevertheless, the comte proposed to continue the game, but -only in ‘white money’; that is, figures serving as stakes drawn in -chalk on the cloth, and in reality meaning credit. Mr. Raily pretended -to have had enough of the game, and to ring for his servants to take -to his carriage all that was portable of his rich and extensive loot. -Seeing which, the comte renewed his insistences to persuade him to -stay. He prayed so humbly, then so passionately, for his revenge, that -Raily judged the occasion favourable and the moment decisive to carry -out the promise he had given to his young protégé. Gold, jewels, and -bank notes, everything was placed on the table. Then Raily turned to -his adversary. “You see, comte,” he said, “that I play the game in no -niggardly spirit, and I will give you a new proof of it. I have taken -a fancy to be a Russian landowner, if only for the strangeness of the -fact. You have got a small estate on the banks of the Volga. If you -like, I will stake all that’s there against it.” If at that moment -Lucifer had offered the comte to stake his soul against a ducat, he -would not have hesitated to accept. Without replying, the comte rushes -to his writing-table, takes from it the title-deeds of his property, -and flings them with a kind of feverish joy on the gold covering -the table. The chances still remained in favour of Mr. Raily. The -game had not been resumed ten minutes ere he was the master of that -Promised Land, and the much desired aim had been attained. Taking up -the contract which entitled him to the property and the fifty thousand -roubles he had lost previously, he said, “Now, comte, I’ll play you -double or quits for the rest.” The comte named the colour, and was -right this time. “Take back all this,” said the Englishmen; “my night -has been sufficiently well paid.” Then they parted the best friends in -the world, the Russian enchanted with his prompt and generous revenge, -Raily delighted at the prospect of the happiness he was to confer -on his new friend. That very day the lucky gambler wrote to Féodor, -sending him back his fifty thousand roubles, and informing him that he -held at his disposal the title-deeds of the estate on the Volga. A few -hours later Féodor stood in his presence, holding by the hand a young -girl, beautiful, fresh, fair, like all the girls of the north, whom he -presented to him. It was Eudoxia, she who loved him, she whom he had -loved so much. Both fell at Mr. Raily’s feet. “You are our master, our -father,” they said. “Give us your blessing, and finish your sublime -work of regeneration.” Raily extends his hands, takes them in his arms, -he himself surprised at the tears coursing freely down his cheeks. -“Let him owe his happiness to you alone,” he said, addressing Eudoxia, -and handing her the title-deeds of the property. “An iniquitous law, -a law iniquitous even in its foresight, forbids an emancipated slave -to possess property. But you are free, madame, and noble, and the same -law nevertheless permits that the serf of your lands, raised to the -rank of your husband, becomes also freed from this unjust exclusion. -You are now a landowner in virtue of these title-deeds--take Féodor to -the altar; henceforth he will bear no chains but yours.” “Monsieur,” -said the young merchant, “she and I will never be strong enough to -remain under the burden of such a gratitude all our lives. You must, -therefore, accept some feeble tribute of our feelings towards you, for -it is only on that condition that you can really make us happy.” Mr. -Raily a few days before leaving Moscow received a pocket-book, which -contained a million roubles, with the following words inscribed upon -it: “To the free man who has made me a free man.” - - - - -CHAPTER XX - - Isabey’s Study--His Picture of the Plenipotentiaries at the - Congress of Vienna--The Imperial Sepulchre at the Capuchins - --Recollections of the Tombs of Cracow--Preacher Werner - --St. Stephen’s Cathedral--Children’s Ball at Princesse - Marie Esterhazy’s--The Empress Elizabeth of Russia--The - Picture-Gallery of the Duc de Saxe-Teschen--Emperor Alexander - and Prince Eugène--The Pictures of the Belvedere--The King - of Bavaria--Anecdotes. - - -One of the memorabilia of the Congress of Vienna which had the -advantage of uniting all suffrages, a privilege not generally granted -to all the transactions of that august Areopagus, is the historical -and beautiful drawing of Isabey representing a sitting of the -plenipotentiaries. The artist was then putting the last touches to -it. One morning, Griffiths and I went to his house. His gallery of -portraits, which contained all the celebrated personages of Europe, -was already very considerable, but our attention was attracted at once -by the drawing which, under the title of ‘The Congress of Vienna,’ -will connect his name with the illustrious men he has portrayed there. -Everybody knows that composition, representing the room of the Congress -at the moment Prince de Metternich introduced Wellington. - -Theoretically, Lord Wellington had no right to figure in that -production, inasmuch as he only arrived in Vienna in February 1815, and -then it was to replace Lord Castlereagh. His arrival necessitated an -important change in the picture--the introduction of a new personage. -That was the motive which made Isabey choose that particular moment, -inasmuch as it enabled him to leave all the other figures in their -original places. Isabey explained to us very charmingly the discontent -of the new arrival at finding himself relegated to a corner of the -composition, where he can only be seen sideways. The clever artist had -ingeniously explained the situation to the English general, apparently -with great satisfaction to both. Another particular incident had -marked the preliminaries. Among the number of European celebrities -Baron Humboldt was necessarily a figure. They had told Isabey that -he would meet with great resistance on the part of this statesman, -who had a thorough aversion to having his portrait taken. He had even -refused that favour to Princesse Louisa Radziwill, the sister of Prince -Ferdinand of Prussia. Warned of this singularity, and even somewhat -intimidated by it, Isabey presented himself at the diplomatist’s. His -real or simulated embarrassment increased the partial good humour of -the baron, who, fixing his large, blue-goggled eyes on him, replied, -‘Have a good look at me, and then you’ll be bound to admit that -nature has given me too ugly a face ever to spend a penny on it for -its reproduction. Nature would in reality have the laugh of me if she -could convict me of such foolish vanity. She ought to be aware that -I fully recognise the trick she has played me.’ Struck by the reply, -the painter looked with stupefaction at the extraordinary face of the -minister, but immediately resuming his gaiety and quickness of wit, -he retorted, ‘But I am not going to ask your excellency the slightest -recompense for the pleasant trouble I am going to take. I am only going -to ask the favour of a few sittings.’ - -‘Oh, is that all? You can have as many sittings as you like. You need -not stint yourself in that respect, but I cannot abandon my principle -of not spending a penny on my ugly face.’ - -In fact, the witty diplomatist sat as many times to the painter as he -wished. When the engraving appeared, his was found the most striking -likeness of all, and he often said, ‘I have not paid a penny for my -portrait by Isabey. No doubt he wanted to avenge himself, and he has -made an excellent likeness of me.’ - -Leaving the painter’s study, we went citywards, and on the bridge -over the Danube we fell in with Princesse Hélène Souvaroff, General -Tettenborn, and Alexander Ypsilanti. They were going in the same -direction, and told us that they were making for the church of the -Capuchins to see the tombs of the imperial family. They proposed that -we should accompany them, and we accepted. - -When we got to the chapel, a monk, after having lighted a large torch, -preceded us to the crypts. There were nine tombs of emperors, thirteen -of empresses, and in all about eighty of the members of the imperial -race. ‘It was in this subterranean chapel,’ said our guide, ‘that every -day during thirty years Maria-Theresa heard Mass before the sepulchre -she had erected for herself by the side of that of her husband.’ - -‘This trait of Maria-Theresa,’ said Tettenborn, ‘reminds me of one -of the clever answers of Joseph II. When he had granted the public -admission to the Augarten, a lady complained that she could no longer -stroll about there among her equals. “If everybody were restricted to -the society of his equals,” replied the emperor, “I should be reduced -for a bit of air to the crypt of the Capuchins, inasmuch as it is only -there that I should find mine.”’ - -After contemplating for a few moments those magnificent monuments of -marble and brass, we slowly ascended the steps of the crypt, when the -light of several torches told us of the arrival of a numerous company; -and it would appear that these excursions had all been postponed to the -end of February on account of the weather, for soon Messrs. Nesselrode -and Pozzo di Borgo, the Duc de Richelieu, and M. Amstedt passed us on -their way. Then we went to the ramparts. The conversation had taken -a serious turn, in accordance with the objects we had just left. The -Princesse Hélène compared these crypts with those of the monastery of -Petchersky at Kion, where most of the saints of the convent are placed -in open coffins. Those precious relics draw to the ancient capital of -Moscow a number of pilgrims, who proceed on foot from Casan and other -towns close to Italy. - -‘There is no greater proof of the strength of religious feeling than -that,’ said Princesse Hélène. ‘It is at the bottom of all those distant -pilgrimages, which, without it, would seem impossible. But,’ she added, -‘the hope of future recompense assuages present evils.’ - -‘When I was at Cracow,’ I said, ‘I also paid a visit to the -subterranean vaults of the cathedral, where the Kings of Poland rest. -The coffins are similarly open, and the bodies are embalmed. Time -seems to have respected their forms, and they are still vested with -all the attributes of royalty. The ermine cloak, the sceptre, the -diadem sparkling with precious stones, all those baubles of a vanished -power present a striking contrast to the relentless aspect of death. -Nevertheless, such images of the past are less terrible when brass -or marble disguises, as it does here, the visible effects of death, -or when the monuments are inscribed with a line recalling a glorious -reminiscence, like that of the Narischkine family in the Church of the -Annunciation at St. Petersburg.’ - -It was a holiday, and the streets were filled with a great crowd, -mainly of artisans, apparently very happy and prosperous. - -‘Truly,’ said Griffiths, as I pointed this out, ‘one rarely meets with -a beggar in Vienna. The charitable institutions are administered with -much order and much liberality. Public benevolence in particular seems -to be directed with a great sense of justice. The people, having in -general more industrial aptitude and commercial intelligence than the -other populations of Germany, seem to conduct their own affairs very -well, and it may safely be said there is no capital in Europe which -can be compared with Vienna for its sights, and the happy-go-lucky -existence of its inhabitants.’ - -The spire of the cathedral was standing against the cloudless sky. - -‘Don’t you feel tempted,’ said I to Princesse Souvaroff, ‘to be present -at one of the spectacles which just now seem to cause, rightly or -wrongly, a great excitement--I mean a sermon by the Rev. M. Werner?’ - -The princess had heard the name, and she fell in with my view, anxious, -like ourselves, to know this simple priest, who, amid so many great -interests and varied amusements, had still found a means of arousing -the enthusiasm of the crowd. - -Before he had followed in the footsteps of Massillon and Bossuet, M. -Werner had been a Lutheran and a dramatic poet. He was the author of -several successful tragedies, which he had treated in the most romantic -way. Importing into his theatrical compositions all the energy of his -religious convictions, he had made it a point to paint the commencement -of Lutheranism in the most seductive colours. A circumstance both -poetical and romantic marked the history of his conversion to -Catholicism. One evening he was strolling in the Cathedral Square in -Vienna, a prey to one of those sombre reveries so peculiar to German -poets. In his emotion, he stood contemplating that imposing mass and -the Gothic towers, the summits of which are lost in the clouds. All -at once the door opened, and a venerable priest, dressed in white, -and escorted by two young children, appeared on its threshold, and -started for the couch of a moribund to administer the supreme rites of -his faith. A torch left a trembling but luminous trace behind. Struck -by the spectacle, the Lutheran poet stops and wistfully looks after -the vanishing procession. His imagination has been fired, the inmost -recesses of his heart are moved; the grandeur and sublimity of the -Catholic religion are revealed to him by the very simple fact of an -old priest carrying the last sacrament to a man on his deathbed. From -that moment, M. Werner practically became a Catholic. He left Vienna, -went to Rome, and abjured his errors in the Basilica of St. Peter. Then -after having lived for some two years in a monastery at the foot of -Vesuvius, he came back to Germany, and, discarding the theatre for the -pulpit, began to preach. The peculiar nature of his conversion, his -talent as a preacher, apart from his diction, which still showed the -lofty thoughts and the alternately brilliant and sombre colours of his -former poesy--everything, in fact, combined to bring him into relief. -Whenever he was announced to preach, the church could scarcely hold -the crowd of both pious and merely curious. The theatrical directors, -seeing the success of the preacher, conceived the idea of reviving -the tragedies of the poet, and made an excellent thing out of them. -In the morning the public hurried to listen to the words of the new -St. Paul, and in the evening, with minds still full of quotations from -Holy Writ and the Fathers, the same audiences went to applaud _Attila_, -_Luther_, and other works of the converted heretic. Sorely grieved at -this applause, M. Werner felt compelled to denounce from the pulpit his -former errors, which he would fain have destroyed altogether. But the -more he fulminated, the more piquant seemed the contrast, and his dual -success as an author and as a preacher hourly increased. - -The crowd in the cathedral was so dense as to make it difficult for us -to find room. There were princes, generals, ‘grandes dames,’ and, what -was not less strange, people belonging to every Christian community. -After a while the apostle appeared, and delivered a long sermon in -German, of which I did not understand a word, though I was probably -not singular in that respect among that particular audience that -morning. In spite of this, the effect seemed no less satisfactory. -The hollow voice of the speaker, his tall, lean, and wan figure, his -deep-set eyes, all seemed to accord with the fane, whose interior -he caused to resound with his voice. The cathedral of St. Stephen, -in fact, artistically sculptured outside, is dark within, and that -obscurity, itself so favourable to meditation, seemed to add something -sepulchral to the utterances of the preacher. - -‘Well,’ said the Princesse Hélène to me when we were coming out, ‘what -do you think of the preacher?’ - -‘I have only been able to judge partly of his eloquence, and I should -think there would be little fault to find with the moral drift of -his discourse, inasmuch as his dogma is no doubt irreproachable. -Nevertheless, his violent tone and gestures do not inspire me with a -desire to see his theatrical works. If you’ll follow my advice, we’ll -go to the theatre of the Court to see _Cinna_ or _Le Misanthrope_.’ - -At parting, we said a few words about soon meeting again at the -Princesse Marie Esterhazy’s, who was about to give a children’s ball, -which after the many splendid receptions of grown-up people could not -fail to excite great curiosity. Expectation was thoroughly realised, -for the princess’s rooms presented the most animated and graceful -picture. All the young offshoots of the aristocracy had been invited to -take part in the entertainments projected for their edification. The -crowned guests at Vienna (reduced this time to the rôle of spectators), -all the illustrious political and military personages, followed suit -and gathered round the young ones, endeavouring, perhaps, to snatch -an imaginary glimpse of their own youth in the contemplation of the -unaffected gaiety and games. The apartments of the palace had been -so cunningly arranged as to lead the young guests from surprise to -surprise. Jugglers’ _fantoccini_, magic-lanterns succeeded each other. -And when all those joyous pastimes were exhausted, they finally came -upon the big ball-room, where the dancing immediately commenced, not -with strict adherence, perhaps, to the programme, but with all the more -gracefulness and absence from constraint. The costumes, which, as may -easily be imagined, were all magnificent--Turks, knights, Albanians, -mediæval, Louis XIV., Russian, Polish--were worn with comic importance -by those Liliputian highnesses. Amidst all these little angels it was -easy to perceive that the demon of Pride had exercised his dangerous -seductions. One of those female highnesses got into a great rage with a -companion of inferior rank. The quarrel became so embittered, neither -of them being willing to give in, that it occasioned some trouble at -the ball. It reminded me of the anecdote told me by Lord Stair, which -a few years before had vastly amused all England. It was during the -infancy of the Princess of Wales(?). They had given her as a companion -the daughter of a musician who had acquired a great reputation by -playing the organ at St. Paul’s. The children quarrelled about a toy, -of which each wanted to get possession. The small wranglers claimed -privilege in identical terms. ‘How dare you resist me?’ said the -princess. ‘Don’t you know that I am the daughter of the Prince of -Wales?’ ‘What’s that to me? Don’t you know, yourself, that I am the -daughter of the organist of St. Paul’s?’ - -Dancing was interrupted by the arrival of the Tyrolese singers, who -were then causing a great sensation in Vienna. They were seven fine men -and ten women, and wore the picturesque costume of their mountains. A -few years before, they had come from the Tyrol as simple journeymen -watchmakers, and in the evening they met together to sing their -national songs. The effect was such as to cause immense crowds to -follow them through the streets. The police were obliged to give them -an escort to prevent disorder. The directors of the Wieden Theatre -engaged them to sing on their stage. The enthusiasm was such as to -make them repeat the same airs half-a-dozen times: the highest society -engaged them for their evening parties, and everywhere they were -equally applauded. During the Congress they had returned to the scene -of their first glory. - -After that the children went into a room which till then had been -closed to them. A big tree with golden branches was bending beneath all -kinds of toys; amongst others those pretty boxes made out of Vienna -paving-stones. A lottery was drawn. Before the little ones retired, -they danced a waltz. The sovereigns and the whole of the Court seemed -to share those childish joys, and to forget for the moment their own -agitated existence at the sight of so much innocent happiness. Only the -Empress Elizabeth of Russia preserved an appearance of melancholy. One -could perceive that she envied the joys of maternity. Her affection for -the emperor was such that, when she met with the daughter he had had by -Madame Narischkine, she smothered the child with caresses, trying to -cheat her own aspirations as wife and mother. - -To whatever political opinion one may belong, one is always glad to -be able to speak of those who have occupied the world’s stage. Thanks -to the Congress of Vienna, it has been vouchsafed to me to approach -some of the men who have left their names on the pages of contemporary -history; hence the anecdotes which follow. - -One bright February day, Zibin, Luchesini, and I were wandering through -the residence of the Duc de Saxe-Teschen. Among the mass of precious -objects there is a collection of about twelve thousand original -drawings, and a hundred and thirty thousand engravings after artists -of various countries. We were courteously received by M. Lefèvre, the -custodian of these treasures, of which, he told us, he was going to -publish a description in chronological order, according to the schools. -At the end of a gallery arranged to hold these rarities, we caught -sight of the Archduke Albert, who was doing the honours to Emperor -Alexander, accompanied by General Ouwaroff and Prince Eugène. We drew -near as they were examining a collection of military maps, the most -complete in Europe. - -‘Cities have been destroyed,’ said Archduke Albert. ‘Empires have -toppled over. Tactics have changed, but military positions remain the -same.’ He added: ‘Several comparisons prove that the same chances have -often produced the same results.’ Nevertheless, it was on the scene -of the last war that the attention of his guests seemed particularly -riveted. Nothing equals in interest the remarks of Emperor Alexander on -inspecting those plans of battles. - -‘There,’ he said, placing his finger on a certain spot, ‘this or that -corps made this or that mistake. This or that battery took up a wrong -position--this or that charge decided the action. Here, at Austerlitz, -we might have retrieved the game, but Kutusoff stopped too far away -from Mortier, and those frozen lakes of Augezd and of Monitz, in giving -way under twenty thousand men and fifty pieces of artillery, completed -our disaster.’ - -‘Nevertheless,’ said Prince Eugène, ‘we should perhaps have lost the -battle if the emperor had attacked a few hours earlier. The chances of -war are determined by very small incidents.’ - -‘There, at Friedland,’ Alexander went on, everything was lost by a -false cavalry manœuvre, of which they took advantage, and by the -retreat of Korsakoff on Friedland. Consequently, the whole of his -_corps d’armée_ was surrounded, and in endeavouring to find an issue -across the waters of the Alle, it found its death. Take it all in all, -we fought well, but we had to deal with cleverer players than we were.’ - -He passed from the campaigns of Italy to those of Germany, tactfully -avoiding speaking of the disastrous Russian war. - -The emperor and Prince Eugène vied with each other in courtesy; the -archduke put an end to the subject by showing them a descriptive -catalogue compiled by himself, which, despite his great age, he -continually revised. To enumerate the treasures contained in this -gallery, one ought to have copied that catalogue from beginning to end. -Some of the drawings dated from the year 1420: there were more than -a hundred and fifty, many of them by Albert Dürer, and the majority -drawn with the pen, the figures richly coloured, especially some birds -of an admirable finish. A still more particular interest attached -to the engravings of this illustrious master, inasmuch as they once -constituted his own collection. The duke pointed out to us several -drawings by Raphael, and fifty sketches by Claude Lorrain. - -The emperor came up to us, and spoke very kindly to Zibin, and -presented him to Prince Eugène as the youngest Knight of the Order of -St. George. Having overheard the name of Luchesini, he asked him if it -was his father who had been plenipotentiary at the celebrated Congress -of Sistow under Frederick II. - -‘Yes, sire.’ - -‘And where is he now?’ - -‘On his estates at Lucca.’ - -‘If he writes his recollections,’ remarked Alexander, ‘they will be -very interesting, for he has seen and observed much.’ - -We afterwards paid a visit to the sumptuously decorated apartments. -In one of these a pan-harmonium, composed of a hundred and fifty -wind-instruments, played symphonies and marches, accompanied with -admirable precision by an automatic trumpet. We left the archduke with -his illustrious visitors and went to the Belvedere in order to see a -collection of pictures which had been largely increased by Joseph II. -at the suppression of some convents. The palace of Belvedere requires -no description. Its curator, M. Fugger, was kind enough to serve as -guide, and specially pointed out to us the Titians, Rubenses, and -Vandykes. In the evening we went as usual to the Comtesse Fuchs’s. -There I met Prince Eugène, and the conversation turned on the treasures -collected at Malmaison, which were thoroughly appreciated by Prince -Gargarine and Colonel Brozin, who had become acquainted with them -during Alexander’s several visits to Josephine. - - - - -CHAPTER XXI - - Ypsilanti--Promenade on the Prater--First Rumour of the Escape - of Napoleon--Projects for the Deliverance of Greece--Comte - Capo d’Istria--The Hétairites--Meeting with Ypsilanti in - 1820--His Projects and Reverses. - - -I had missed Ypsilanti from his usual haunts for a considerable time, -and on the rare occasions that I caught a glimpse of him, melancholy -seemed to have taken him for its prey. I attributed this to a more -than usually serious love affair, but I had no idea that his projects -for the deliverance of Greece were the cause of his constant absence. -At the moment when the Congress laboured at the consolidation of a -general peace, the realisation of his generous plan seemed to recede -further into the distance. It was improbable that Europe, even in the -interests of Miltiades and Themistocles, would allow the equilibrium -to be disturbed and risk once more the world’s repose. One morning I -was riding through the Prater, after a stormy night which had burst -over Vienna and occasioned much damage. The sky was bright, and the sun -glinted through the trees. I saw Ypsilanti close to a path where I had -seen him just five months previously, dawdling along, the reins on his -horse’s neck, and, as usual, his face overcast with care. Thinking the -moment opportune to ask him the cause of an estrangement I regretted, I -rode up to him. - -‘My mind,’ he said, ‘is occupied entirely by something which, as yet, -is a secret that does not belong to me alone. I know your affection -for me, and I will not hesitate to tell you my thoughts the moment I -can do so without damage to a sacred cause, or without breaking my -pledge.’ - -His solemn tone surprised me, and I asked him to speak plainly, but -he opposed a determined silence. His head hung on his breast; his -thoughts were engrossed by something he could not shake off. Suddenly, -he beckoned to his attendant, jumped off his horse, and invited me to -do the same. We strolled down a solitary avenue, and after a few steps -stopped short. He fixed his piercing eyes on me, violently clutching my -arm. - -‘Napoleon has left Elba,’ he said. - -‘Dear prince!’ I exclaimed. ‘Are you sure?’ - -‘Absolutely!’ was the answer. ‘A courier despatched from Florence to -the English Embassy brought the news this morning. Emperor Alexander -and M. de Nesselrode were informed immediately. There were no further -particulars.’ - -‘But this means Europe on fire once more, and a struggle more terrible -than ever.’ - -‘Yes. We are about to quit opera for tragedy. The moment has come in -which I feel bound to act. I have spoken to you of my plan to free -Greece. Henceforth, favoured by this tremendous event, it will be my -business to break her fetters, and to replace her in her former rank -among the nations.’ - -‘A noble project. One might call it sublime. But have you calculated -the means necessary to ensure success?’ - -‘I have no doubt about them. That dream of my very youth, that dream -of my early years, will soon be a reality. War will set Europe again -in a blaze; faithful friends as well as myself are only awaiting that -signal.’ - -‘Dear Alexander! Your enthusiasm is nothing new to me, nor your -military talents, nor your patriotic devotion, but I feel bound to -point out to you the dangers of your project, and the impossibility of -its success.’ - -I spoke to him for fully half an hour, without shaking his decision in -the least, when suddenly at the winding of the path, we perceived two -men on horseback. I fancied one of these was the Comte Capo d’Istria. - -‘Oh!’ he exclaimed, ‘they have kept their word!’ and without another -syllable he ran to his horse, flung himself on it, and disappeared. -Returning to Vienna, I went to Prince Koslowski, naturally impatient to -know the particulars of the news which was soon to engross the world’s -attention--the departure of Napoleon from the island of Elba. Amidst -the grave interests which were then paramount, the Greek question -passed unperceived. But when it assumed the grand proportions it did -assume, and aroused the sympathies of the whole of the civilised -world, history carefully collected every particular connected with -this glorious emancipation. History has revealed the secrets which -Ypsilanti could not entrust to one of his dearest friends, and later -on I knew the men on whom he counted to second his efforts. ‘We shall -meet again,’ Ypsilanti had shouted as he disappeared. Alas! we were -only to meet once more, five years later. It was in 1820, on my return -from Carlsbad, when I was on my way to Louiseburg, near Alexanderbad, -in Bavaria. I had been wandering at random for several hours about the -somewhat melancholy spot, and had reached the summit of Louiseburg with -its famous cross, when at the foot of the monument I perceived, seated, -a fellow-wayfarer, wrapt in an ample cloak. He was writing in a book, -which he closed as I drew near. He had, no doubt, been warned by the -sound of my footsteps, for he turned round, and I recognised Ypsilanti. -The five years that had gone by since that memorable morning towards -the end of the Congress had left profound traces on his features. He -was no longer the young and brilliant soldier, the life and soul of -every drawing-room. But although the face was deeply lined, and the -eyes were hollow set, there was still the lofty animation pervading -the handsome physiognomy. He explained to me that his wounds had -necessitated a journey to Carlsbad, and that while waiting for some -friends, he had pushed as far as Louiseburg, at the recommendation of -the King of Prussia. In a few moments, the subject ever present to his -thoughts was on his lips. This time, for delivering his country from -the foreign yoke, he counted on the sympathy of Alexander. I asked him -if he had considered what would happen in the event of a reverse, and -endeavoured to point out to him the improbability of Russia’s allowing -an independent state to be carved out of some of the most beautiful -provinces of the Turkish Empire. Nothing that I could say would induce -him--not to abandon his enterprise, I had no sanguine expectations to -that effect, but to postpone it until a more favourable moment. All he -would do was to confide to me a manuscript setting forth the principal -events of his life, but the narration of which does not come within the -scope of this work. - - - - -CONCLUSION - - Napoleon has left Elba--Aspect of Vienna--Theatricals at - the Court--Mme. Edmond de Périgord and the Rehearsal-- - Napoleon’s Landing at Cannes--The Interrupted Dance--Able - Conduct of M. de Talleyrand--Declaration of the 13th March-- - Fauche Borel--The Congress is Dissolved. - - -My task is nearly at an end. Five-and-twenty years have gone by since -the occurrence of the magic scenes part of which I have endeavoured to -reproduce. There only remains to sketch the last one. - -Prince Koslowski, to whom I went after Ypsilanti bade me such a hurried -farewell in the Prater by jumping on his horse, confirmed the news told -me by the latter. Napoleon had indeed left Elba. ‘The master and the -prisoner of Europe in one,’ as he had been energetically called, had -left his prison armed with nothing but his own glory, and, like Cæsar, -had entrusted himself and his fortunes to a frail barque. - -‘The news,’ said Koslowski, ‘was brought here by a courier despatched -by the English ambassador in Florence to Lord Stewart. The English -consul at Leghorn had in the first instance transmitted it. Lord -Stewart, who naturally was the first to open the despatch, informed M. -de Metternich and the sovereigns. The ministers of the great Powers -were told immediately afterwards. It is not known which road Napoleon -has taken. Is he coming to France, or does he wish, as has been stated, -to get to the United States? For the moment there is nothing but -conjecture. But who shall preserve him from the storm rumbling and -gathering over his head? Will fortune be able to place on his brow -the lightning-conductor to avert the course of that storm? The high -and mighty arbiters of the Congress desire that the news shall not be -spread before they are able to take measures dictated by the gravity of -the circumstances.’ - -Whether the secret had been carefully kept, or whether the intoxication -consequent upon the many months of festivities had not altogether worn -off, it is impossible to say; but the capital preserved its usual -aspect. The ramparts and the Leopoldstadt faubourg leading to the -Prater were teeming with strollers, evidently anxious to profit by the -first rays of the spring sun. There was no sign of the thunderbolt -having produced its echo: joy and careless gaiety everywhere. - -In the evening the company of amateur comedians was to give a -performance in the palace of the _Barbier de Seville_ and of a -vaudeville very popular at that time, entitled _La Danse Interrompue_. -The Prince Koslowski had offered to accompany me to the imperial -residence. Anxious to study the general physiognomy of the illustrious -gathering, and also hoping to gather some fresh news in connection with -the great event, I had accepted. The gathering was as brilliant and as -numerous as usual. There was, however, no longer the careless calm of -the morning. Slight clouds, but clouds for all that, darkened their -brows. The company stood chatting in groups, and here and there the -probable consequences of Napoleon’s departure were discussed with more -than ordinary warmth. ‘He cannot elude the English cruisers,’ said one. -‘M. Pozzo di Borgo maintains,’ replied another, ‘that if he sets foot -in France, he’ll be hanged on the nearest tree.’[102] - -Everybody, it seemed, wished to shirk the reality of the awakening. -‘We ought to think ourselves very lucky,’ said some partisans of the -Bourbons of Sicily. ‘Truly Bonaparte is playing our game admirably. He -may set his helm for Naples; and if so, the Congress will be obliged to -take measures for the expulsion of that usurper and intruder, Murat.’ - -Suddenly the conversations ceased. The Empress of Austria had entered -the room and taken her seat, and at a signal from her the curtain -rose. ‘We’ll just see,’ I said to Prince Koslowski, ‘if this event, -apparently so unforeseen, has not bred confusion in the illustrious -company of players.’ - -‘You may spare yourself such a mistake,’ was the answer. ‘It would -need the enemy at the gates of Vienna and the thunder of the cannon to -rouse them from their obstinate sleep. When the news came this morning -to M. de Talleyrand, he was still in bed. Mme. Edmond de Périgord was -seated by his pillow and brightly conversing with him when a letter -was brought in from M. de Metternich. “This is to tell me the hour -fixed for the Congress to-day,” said the prince, leaving the handsome -comtesse to open the epistle, which, as a matter of course, she does -mechanically. In a moment or so, though, she opens her eyes very wide -and reads the big tidings. She also had to go during the day to M. de -Metternich’s, but it was merely to rehearse a farce--_Le Sourd, ou -l’Auberge pleine_. “Bonaparte has left Elba,” she exclaims. “Oh, uncle, -and my rehearsal!” “Your rehearsal, madame,” is the quiet reply, “will -take place all the same.” And the prince was right; the rehearsal -took place just the same. Europe is, perhaps, on the verge of a -general conflagration, but the confidence of our comedians will not be -disturbed by so small a matter as that.’ - -Everybody was studying the faces of the political notabilities, as a -rule so very impassive; people scanned their looks and tried to read -their thoughts. They all affected a confidence probably far removed -from the reality. The absence of M. de Talleyrand was noticed, and the -preoccupation of Emperor Alexander. - -What had caused this supreme resolution on the part of Napoleon, the -consequences of which were so fatal to France? Did he expect, in spite -of the enfeebled condition of France, to hold his own once more against -coalesced Europe? Was he so blind as to entertain the possibility of -henceforth living in peace with all those sovereigns to whom he had -formerly dictated, and whom he had taught the road to Paris? Or was not -his flight from Elba an act of despair in order to escape a captivity -which, six years later, was to make an end of him on the rock of St. -Helena? - -Certain was it that the presence of the Emperor of the French in the -midst of the Mediterranean, and the independence, nay, the shadow of -power which was left to him, had aroused the alarm of the Congress. -It was well known that there existed in Paris a centre of intrigues -and correspondence having for its aim the restoration of the imperial -_régime_. Queen Hortense was the soul of that conspiracy, which was -known to everybody except the blind Bourbons. During the stay of Queen -Hortense there, in August 1814, Madame de Krüdener, so celebrated -subsequently in consequence of her mystic connection with Emperor -Alexander, had foretold to her the return of Napoleon. Hence, from the -beginning of the conferences, the question of choosing another place of -exile, or rather of transportation, was broached, though the strictest -secrecy was kept about the matter. Nevertheless, it was only towards -the end of January that St. Helena was mentioned by M. Pozzo di Borgo, -who professed to have received letters informing him of the arrest at -Genoa, at Florence, and on the whole of the coast, of the emissaries of -Napoleon. ‘Europe,’ Pozzo had said, ‘would not be at rest until she had -put the ocean between herself and that man.’ - -It was asserted that Prince Eugène owed the revelation of that -important secret to his intimacy with Emperor Alexander, and that he -lost no time in informing Napoleon. The latter no longer hesitated, -and made up his mind to return to France. From that moment, Alexander -became most cool and distant towards Eugène. - -Vienna remained without further news for nearly five days, during which -the receptions and entertainments went on as if nothing had happened, -the general concern apparently becoming less and less. Finally, though, -there was no possibility of denying the truth; the thunderclap came: -Napoleon was in France. The adventurer, as Pozzo di Borgo dared to call -him, was welcomed everywhere by frantically enthusiastic populations. -The soldiers rushed to meet their general; there was no obstacle to -his triumphal march. The fall of the Colossus, which had appeared -incomprehensible, was less surprising than the resurrection of his -power. - -The news of Napoleon’s landing at Cannes came while the ball at M. -de Metternich’s was at its height. The tidings had the effect of -the stroke of the wand or the whistle of the stage-carpenter, which -transforms the gardens of Armida into a wilderness. In fact, the -thousands of candles seemed to have gone out simultaneously. The news -spread with the rapidity of an electric current. In vain did the -orchestra continue the strains of a waltz just begun; the dancers -stopped of their own accord, looking at and interrogating each other; -the four words, ‘He is in France,’ were like the shield of Ubaldo -which, presented to the gaze of Rinaldo, suddenly destroyed all the -charms of Armida. - -Emperor Alexander took a few steps towards the Prince de Talleyrand. ‘I -told you that it would not last,’ he said. The French plenipotentiary -did not move a muscle of his face, and simply bowed without replying. -The King of Prussia gave a sign to the Duke of Wellington, and both -left the ball-room together, followed almost immediately by Emperors -Alexander and Francis and M. de Metternich. The majority of the guests -seemed bent upon disappearing unnoticed, so that finally the place -became deserted save for a few apparently terror-stricken talkers. - -The Prince Koslowski, whom I saw during the evening, was unable to add -anything to the news already current among the public. ‘This is an -excellent opportunity for the players to give us a second performance -of that charming vaudeville _La Danse Interrompue_. Comte Palfi, who -played the part of Wasner so brightly, might well sing: - - ‘“Enfin voilà la danse interrompue; - Comment tenir à cet incident-là?” - -The chorus, I am afraid, will probably be accompanied in a short time -by the thunder of a hundred thousand firearms. This news,’ he went -on, ‘will no doubt remind you of the tidings of the taking of Amiens -by the Spaniards, told to Henri IV. in the midst of a ballet in which -both he and Sully were dancing, though it is difficult to imagine Sully -disporting himself in that way: he was certainly not famed for that -kind of thing. “Mistress mine,” said the king to “la belle Gabrielle” -(d’Estrées), taking her hand, “we are bound to give up our dancing and -our games; we must to horse, and recommence another war. There’s a -truce to the joys of love.” It would be well, perhaps, to translate the -phrase into several languages for the benefit of some of the would-be -Henri Quatres assembled here.’ - -It would be impossible to depict the aspect of the Austrian capital -from that moment. Vienna was like an individual who, lulled to sleep by -dreams of love and ambition, suddenly found himself violently awakened -by the rattle of the watchman or the clanging of the belfry warning him -that his house was on fire. The various guests from all parts of Europe -could not recall without dread the phases of the period that had just -gone by. The constantly renewed disasters of a quarter of a century of -war; the invaded capitals; the battlefields bestrewn with the dead; -commerce and industry paralysed; whole families, nay, whole nations, in -mourning--all this presented itself simultaneously to their minds; and -the recollection of the lurid flames of Moscow lent additional terror -to the picture. No doubt there had been recent reprisals on their part; -and the presence of the Allied Armies in Paris proved to a certain -extent that the terms ‘unvanquished’ and ‘invincible’ were by no means -synonymous. This, however, rendered their anxiety all the greater. -To fell the Colossus to the ground, it had required a conjunction -of circumstances, and, moreover, an accord of sentiments and ideas, -which had increased the strength of each individual nation tenfold. At -present those nations had assumed an observant attitude towards each -other; the stern reality only showed the certainty of evils which had -been considered as dispelled for ever. - -Under those grave circumstances, M. de Talleyrand gave proof of an -ability and a strength of will that had the effect of carrying all -before it. Never was there a more difficult rôle than his. He was, as -it were, the buffer betwixt the government he represented and France, -whose interest he wished to save, and the inimical Powers, which -confounded in the self-same ban Napoleon and the country which once -more had welcomed him. I was not in Paris at the time of the first -Restoration; Talleyrand’s conduct, therefore, only came to me through -contemporary accounts, not always to be depended on for their veracity. -But having been an eye-witness of what he did in March 1815 for his -country and for the Bourbons, I have no hesitation in saying that the -latter were indebted to him a second time for their crown; and that -France, perhaps, owed to him her existence as a nation. He understood, -with marvellous intuition, that these two facts were narrowly bound up -with and emanated from each other. Hence his attitude, and his efforts -to obtain the declaration of the 13th March. - -That famous act, so differently appreciated, claims its mention here. -The irritation in Vienna was at its height, and kept up by the prospect -of a relentless war. The enthusiasm aroused by Napoleon’s presence, the -welcome given to him by the various populations, the rallying around -him of the army--all these things combined caused the French nation to -be looked upon as an accomplice to the breaking of the much desired -peace. There was, moreover, the dread of a revival of the Revolutionary -ideas, the delirium of which had struck terror throughout Europe. The -Emperor of Austria, addressing the czar, had said ‘Behold, sire, the -result of your holding your hand over your Paris Jacobins.’ ‘That’s -true, sire,’ was the answer, ‘but to repair the wrong, I hold myself -and my armies at your Majesty’s disposal.’ - -The quarrel on the point of breaking out was, therefore, between -France on the one side, and the whole of Europe on the other; a duel -to the bitter end, which could only cease with the death of one of -the combatants. I also heard the word ‘partition’ mentioned, and the -example of Poland was there to prove that a nation may be struck off -the European family register. - -M. de Talleyrand, on the contrary, laid down the principle that in -1815, as in the previous year, Europe could be at war with Napoleon -only and not with France. He manœuvred with so much skill or so much -luck as to overcome all obstacles and entirely to change the intentions -hostile to France, and finally to obtain the acceptance of his -principle. A score of times the Congress was about to separate without -having made up its mind to anything save a blind and relentless war; -a score of times he rallied around him opinions fundamentally opposed -to each other. I am aware of the repugnance of certain dogmatic minds -to these compromises inspired by prudence. Over and again it has been -said that it would have been better for France to accept a declaration -of war--a threat of extermination addressed to herself. In her hour of -despair, the country would have found a supernatural force; she would -have perished in the struggle or obtained a glorious triumph. - -M. de Talleyrand was swayed by too much moderation to risk this; he -had too correct a notion of the enfeebled condition of France to fling -her once more into violent and desperate adventures. He himself beheld -Europe ready to rise as one man; he directed the rise against an -individual instead of against a people. And in this he acted rightly. -His conduct was appreciated and admired in Vienna as the triumph of -reason and of an enlightened patriotism. More than once he returned -from the Congress to his residence utterly discouraged. On the morning -of the 13th March, the day appointed for the signing of this important -act, he was by no means sure of his success. Meanwhile, everything -depended on it. When he was ready to go to M. de Metternich, his -_entourage_ could not refrain from showing a natural anxiety. ‘Wait for -me here,’ he said, ‘and in order not to try your patience by as much as -a minute, watch for my return at the windows. If I have succeeded, I’ll -show you from the carriage the treaty on which shall depend the fate of -Europe and of France.’ - -A few hours later, when coming back, he waved the roll containing the -signatures of the arbiters of peace who had become the arbiters of war. -For a moment, though, the accord obtained with so much labour was on -the point of being broken. It was when the Congress heard of the flight -of Louis XVIII. from the Tuileries without an attempt at striking -a blow, and of Napoleon’s taking possession of the palace. Emperor -Alexander, in particular, failed to understand the tame submission of -the Bourbon family and the absence of a single defender. - -One morning I ran up against General Ouwaroff. ‘The czar,’ he said, -‘has not recovered from his surprise. He is tired of war, and just now -he repeated to me at least a dozen times, “Never shall I draw the sword -for them.”’ - -M. de Talleyrand, in addition to this, performed wonders of skill -and patience in the retying of the loosened ‘Congress bundle’ and in -directing the various wills of which it was composed towards one common -aim. If, on the one hand, the masses beheld with terror the horizon -becoming once more dark with threatening clouds, the men devoured with -ambition rejoiced at the probable revival of a time of glory. For, -disguise it as one will, the intrigues which were already set on foot -to overthrow or to support Napoleon offered a prospect of a prompt -result in the way of grandeur and riches. Among the many ambitious -ones of various ranks who rushed in crowds to Vienna, the ubiquitous -Fauche-Borel, the secret agent of the Bourbon princes during the -emigration, was foremost. He came once more to offer his fortune, his -devotion, and even the blood of his family for a cause in which he had -sacrificed everything. No one had a greater right than he to call kings -‘the illustriously ungrateful.’ His adventurous life, his expensive -tastes, had promptly swallowed all the sums he received from the house -of Bourbon and from the British Government. His was indeed a strange -destiny. The crowning of his efforts turned out to be a disaster to his -personal fortune. For twenty years his numberless creditors had awaited -patiently the day of his success. Scarcely were the Bourbons seated -on the throne, the access to which had been facilitated by him, than -everybody imagined the ill-fated bookseller of Neufchâtel to be loaded -with gold and honours. Pressed on all sides and but meanly remunerated, -his position was a thousand times harder than it had been before. -Hence, he was going to resume his life of intriguing and hopes. If a -warning were needed for the ambitious against their all-engrossing -craving to be somebody or to appear to be somebody, no more striking -example could be advanced than that of Fauche-Borel putting an end to -his disappointed ambition by committing suicide, and by that death -setting the seal on everything that has been said about the ingratitude -of princes. - -‘The Congress is dissolved,’ Napoleon had said, on setting his foot on -French soil at Cannes. Meanwhile, on the 11th March, in the midst of -the general consternation, a company of amateurs still played in the -Redotto hall _Le Calife de Bagdad_ and _Les Rivaux d’eux-mêmes_, and, -strange though it may appear, there was a larger audience than might -have been expected. It was, however, the final flicker of the expiring -lamp; the last feeble sound of the broken instrument. Pleasure took -flight. ‘The Congress is dissolved.’ - - -THE END - - - - -FOOTNOTES - - -[1] Throughout this translation I have left many of the nobiliary -titles and names of the Continental aristocracy in their French garb; -those of the English personages mentioned I have reduced to their -original expression. - -[2] Bourgeois was then, as now, the appellation commonly bestowed upon -the members of the middle classes.--Transl. - -[3] The marquisate was created in 1663, and was registered in the -Parliament of Languedoc. It was bestowed upon Louis-François de La -Garde, chevalier seigneur de Chambonas, son of Antoine de La Garde, -married to Charlotte de la Beaume de Suze. The title passed to his -nephew, Scipion-Louis-Joseph, who was brigadier in the king’s armies in -1744, and who died 27th February 1765. He married: First, Claire-Marie, -Princesse de Ligne; second, Louise-Victoire-Marie de Grimoard de -Beauvoir du Roure, daughter of the Comte du Roure, lieutenant-general -in the king’s armies, and of Marie-Antoinette-Victoire de Gontaut -Biron. The issue of the second marriage was two boys, one of whom -was Scipion-Charles-Victor-Auguste, Marquis de Chambonas, Baron de -Saint-Félix and d’Auberque, Comte de Saint-Julien, who married on -the 2nd April 1774, Mlle. de Lespinasse de Langeac. (_Administrative -Archives of the Dépôt_ (Ministry of War and La Chesnaye des Bois), 3rd -edition, Article ‘La Garde.’) - -[4] In the few passages of the _Recollections of the Congress of -Vienna_, where the author refers to his childhood and his family, he -deliberately throws a veil over both subjects. Without the _Unpublished -Notes_, the pages of which bearing upon the present publication were -kindly communicated to us by the present head of the family, M. le -Marquis de Chambonas, we should have failed to pierce the darkness in -which certain parts of our writer’s life are wrapped. - -[5] I can only follow the original. This is not the name of the -godmother mentioned in the certificate of baptism; but Mme. Barryals -had probably contracted a second marriage.--Transl. - -[6] I am preparing for publication the _Mémoires du Général le Marquis -d’ Hautpoul_, who, as a child, spent the whole of the Terror in the -neighbourhood of Versailles with his relatives, including his father, -a former colonel. It should be said, though, that a member of the -Convention had made them adopt the disguise of gardeners. - -[7] From that moment, M. de La Garde’s information about the Marquis -de Chambonas becomes very scant. In his _Unpublished Notes_ there are -a couple of grateful references to his ‘father,’ but that is all. We -are left in ignorance about the disparities of character which appear -to have parted them for ever. All that is known about M. de Chambonas -is due to the documents (_dossier_) relating to him, preserved in the -Archives of the Ministry of War. He seems to have settled definitely in -England. Wrecked in health, and even paralysed, it is from there that -he petitions in 1816. Finally, he obtained a modest pension with the -superior grade of lieutenant-general. He died in Paris, not in 1807, as -is stated by one biographer, but in February 1830. - -[8] The _Album_ contains, moreover, a short biography of the queen, -some of her letters to M. de La Garde, and a facsimile of his -handwriting; the whole on vellum-made paper, with gilt ornamental -borders. The book is very rare. M. le Marquis de Chambonas has a copy -of it belonging to his uncle. I have the good fortune to possess -another. - -[9] It is well known that the first words of Napoleon on setting foot -on French soil in 1815, were: ‘The Congress is dissolved.’ - -[10] Not to be confounded with Bernardin de Saint-Pierre, the author -of _Paul et Virginie_. The Abbé de Saint-Pierre’s literary fame mainly -rests on a book entitled _Projet de Paix Perpétuelle_. M. Bloch, the -Russian Utopist of to-day, has invented nothing.--Transl. - -[11] Baron Wilhelm von Humboldt, eminent diplomatist and statesman, -celebrated philologist, born at Potsdam in 1767, died in 1835. He took -part in the Conferences of Prague, Châtillon, Paris, and Vienna. He -left valued works on the primitive dwellers in Spain, on the Chinese -language (letters written in French to M. A. de Rémusat), and a -collection of studies on æsthetics, etc. 6 Volumes. Berlin 1841-48. - -[12] She was the sister of George III., and became involved in a -love-affair with Struensee, her husband’s prime minister. Struensee was -beheaded, and she was sentenced to divorce and exile. - -[13] The sentence may be interpreted in two ways. The absolutely modern -version would be ‘the most honest man’; the Molièresque sense, ‘the -most accomplished man of the world.’--Transl. - -[14] I have re-translated the passage as closely as possible, although -perfectly aware of its being neither a faithful French rendering nor -even a passably brilliant paraphrase of the original in _Henry VIII._, -Act I. I had no choice in the matter. It does not transpire whether -M. de La Garde was responsible for it, or whether he copied it from a -French version of the play.--Transl. - -[15] Charles Joseph, Prince de Ligne, whom the Comte de la Garde -mentions so frequently, and always in terms of the deepest veneration, -was indeed a grandiose figure. Born in Brussels in 1735, he entered -the service of Austria, and distinguished himself in the Seven Years’ -War. He was made a major-general in 1766, a lieutenant-general in -1771, and the campaign of 1778 only increased his military reputation. -Subsequently he travelled in Italy, in Switzerland, and in France; -at Versailles he was thoroughly appreciated as a very able, amiable, -and witty grand seigneur. In Russia, whither he was sent in 1782 on -a mission, he became _persona gratissima_ with Catherine the Great, -who bestowed upon him an estate in the Crimea. He was present, as a -general, at the siege of Oklakoff, directed by Potemkin, and at some -of the actions of Laudon. In consequence of the part borne by his son -in the insurrection of the Netherlands (the provinces now constituting -the kingdom of Belgium), against Austria, he was removed from public -life, and, though a field-marshal in 1808, he had no longer a command. -The Prince de Ligne was an able and profound tactician. He left a -great number of writings both in German and in French. They are -replete with witty and pungent remarks, but the style is incorrect -and diffuse. Under the title of _Mélanges militaires, littéraires et -sentimentaires_, there are thirty volumes (1798-1809). His _Journal des -Guerres_ and _l’Essai sur les Jardins_ are worth keeping. In addition -to these he published in 1809 a _Vie du Prince Eugène de Savoie_. -Madame de Staël, Malte-Brun, and Lacroix, have published either -_Lettres_ or _Fragments_, which were well worthy of being preserved, -and which have practically become classics. His _Lettres de Russie à -la Marquise de Coigny_ have been published by Lescure, Librairie des -Bibliophiles, and M. Lucien Percy has just published his _Lettres à -Catherine II._ - -[16] _Née_ de Conflans d’Armentières, perhaps the only woman who -succeeded in being _platonically_ beloved by Lauzun. Paul Lacroix -published these letters in a strictly limited edition of a hundred -copies. The Marquise’s daughter married the well-known General -Sebastiani, and died in giving birth to the future Duchesse de Praslin, -who met with such a tragic end. - -[17] The Prince de Ligne had bestowed the sobriquet on Napoleon, in -allusion to his departure for Elba, and not from scorn, for nobody -professed a greater admiration and more genuine sympathy than he for -the most illustrious and most ill-fated figure of modern times.--Note -of the Comte de la Garde. - -[18] The Prince de Ligne had three daughters--the Princess Clary, the -Comtesse Palfi, and the Baronne Spiegel; and two sons, Charles and -Louis, of whom the former married the exquisitely sweet and pretty -Hélène Massalska, and the latter, whence sprung the present Princes de -Ligne, died prematurely. - -[19] Frederick I., Duke, afterwards King, of Würtemberg, became in -1805 the ally of Napoleon, who created his royal title and gained his -admission into the Confederation of the Rhine. In 1813 he joined the -Allied Powers against France. After a somewhat despotic reign, he -granted his subjects a constitution in 1815. One of his daughters, -Catherine, married Jérôme Bonaparte, some time King of Westphalia, and -proved herself a woman of exemplary moral worth and courage under most -trying circumstances. - -[20] See _infra_, the biographical notes on these princes. - -[21] M. de la Garde published an account of that journey. - -[22] Tettenborn was to the last very outspoken. At the time of his stay -in Paris, court dress was _de rigueur_ at the Tuileries for civilians -and military, even if the latter belonged to foreign armies. Tettenborn -was a superior officer of hussars; nevertheless he complied with the -regulations, but he did not shave his moustache. Napoleon remarked -upon this in a bantering tone. ‘You’ll admit,’ he said, ‘that a pair -of moustachios goes badly with this costume.’ ‘Pardon me, sire, it’s -the dress which looks ridiculous with a pair of moustachios,’ was the -prompt answer. - -[23] The Comte de Las-Cases, in his _Mémorial de Sainte-Hélène_, -reports another case of the freaks of fate. ‘Serrurier and the younger -Hédouville,’ said Napoleon, ‘were marching in company with the -intention of making their way into Spain, when they met with a patrol. -Hédouville, younger and more nimble than his companion, managed to -cross the frontier, and considering himself lucky, vegetated for a long -time in Spain. Serrurier, compelled to turn back, became a marshal of -France.’--_Author’s Note._ - -[24] She was, nevertheless, an aunt (by blood) of Emperor Franz, and -one of his mothers-in-law. Students of history know the adventures of -the sister of Marie-Antoinette, of her compromising relations with -Nelson, and her strange affection for Lady Hamilton. King Ferdinand had -just been restored to his throne when the queen died (7th September -1814). - -[25] In Roman Catholic countries the day of the saint after whom the -person is named, rather than the birthday, is kept.--Transl. - -[26] Frederick VI., King of Denmark, born in 1768, died in 1839. His -father, Christian VII., became impaired in intellect, and the Queen -Dowager took the reins of government. Frederick deprived her of the -Regency in 1784 and ascended the throne in 1808. In the following year, -he imposed upon the Swedes, who wished to dispossess him of Norway, the -Treaty of Jongkopping. He contracted a durable alliance with France, -which was made a pretext by the European Coalition for punishing -him by giving Norway to Sweden (Treaty of Kiel). But he received in -compensation Rügen and Swedish Pomerania, which in 1816 he exchanged -for the Duchy of Lauenburg. - -[27] Charles Robert, Comte de Nesselrode, born in 1780, died in 1862; -a most able Russian diplomatist. After having filled several posts in -Germany and at the Hague, he was Councillor of Embassy in Paris in -1807. As early as 1810 he was enabled to warn his sovereign with regard -to the secret armaments of Napoleon in view of a rupture with Russia, -and from that moment his credit with Alexander I. grew immensely. -Nesselrode was called to the Chancellorship of State, and subsequently -shared with Capo d’Istria the direction of Foreign Affairs. It was -he who inspired the Coalition against France in 1813, and signed the -Convention of Breslau, the Treaty of Subsidies with England, and the -League of Toeplitz. In 1814, he accompanied the Czar to France, signed -the Treaty of Chaumont, and negotiated the capitulation with Marmont. -He played an important part at the Congress of Vienna. Subsequently -at Aix-la-Chapelle (1818), at Laybach (1821), and at Vienna (1822) he -exercised a preponderant influence. Under Nicholas I., who maintained -him in his functions, Nesselrode practically established Russia’s -influence on ‘young’ Greece, and was the author of two treaties -humiliating to Turkey, viz., that of Adrianople (1829) and that of -Unkiar-Skelessi (1833). In 1840 his diplomatic skill kept France -excluded from the European Concert. He succeeded in preventing the -European Powers from intervening in the affairs of Poland (1830-31), -and in 1848, after for some time merely preserving a watchful attitude -in Hungarian affairs, he finally flung Russia’s power in the balance in -Austria’s favour, and increased his master’s influence in the East. He -was a partisan of a peaceful settlement of the difficulties cropping -up in 1854, and endeavoured to avoid a conflict between France and -Russia. His last political act was the conclusion of peace and the -Treaty of Paris, after which he retired, though preserving the titular -Chancellorship of the Empire. His despatches are models of conciseness. - -[28] The defender of Saint Jean d’Acre against Bonaparte, and one of -the signatories of the Convention of El-Arish; Kleber being the other. -He assisted the King of Portugal in his departure for Brazil in 1807, -and accompanied him thither. He retired from the service in 1810, and -spent his time mainly in philanthropic work. Admiral in 1821, died in -Paris, 1840. - -[29] Subsequently known as the Duchesse de Dino, and afterwards -de Talleyrand. She was supposed to be the Egeria of the Prince de -Talleyrand, and kept house for him, either at Valençay, Paris, or -London, during his embassy in the latter capital in 1830. She was a -pre-eminent and exceedingly cultivated woman. - -[30] The name of Pahlen recalls the conspiracy of March 1801, which put -an end to the days of Emperor Paul I. - -[31] The son of Comtesse Sophie Potocka by her first husband. - -[32] Frédéric de Gentz (1764-1832) author and diplomatist, the -principal projector of the Coalition of the Holy Alliance. He was the -defender from conviction of all the absolute monarchies; pensioned by -Pitt during the Revolution; Aulic Councillor in 1805 at Vienna, and in -the interval staunchly devoted to the interests of Prussia. It was he -who was entrusted with the drawing-up of the manifesto of the Powers in -1813. From that moment he exercised great influence on the diplomacy -of Europe, and was present, in one or the other capacity, at all the -Congresses. He published several political works, one of which was -written in French, viz., _Journal de ce qui est arrivé dans le Voyage -que j’ai fait au Quartier Général de S. M. le Roi de Prusse_, Oct. -1806. Mention should also be made of a series of brochures on _The -Rights of Man_, _The European Equilibrium_, a _Life of Marie Stuart_, -etc. Comte Prokesch-Osten (the son of the friend and confidant of -the Duc de Reichstadt), published with Plon in 1870 _The Unpublished -Despatches of the Chevalier de Gentz to the Hospodars of Wallachia_. - -[33] Sir John Sinclair was the president of the Agricultural Society of -Edinburgh. The story of young Sinclair is in all the _Memoirs_ of the -First Empire. See, above all, an account of the whole affair written by -young Sinclair himself in the _Edinburgh Review_ of 1826. - -[34] Emeric Joseph, Duc de Dalberg, was the nephew of the Bishop of -Constance, who was Elector of Mainz and Prince-Primate and Grand -Duke of Frankfurt-on-the-Main, and in his various dignities gave -such startling proofs of his honesty in private life and his high -intellectual culture. The nephew, at first Baron de Dalberg, after -having represented the Margraviate of Baden in Paris, became a great -friend of Talleyrand, married the Marquise de Brignole, lady of honour -to the Empress Josephine, took out letters of naturalisation and -obtained the title of duc with a counsellorship of State. He was one of -the negotiators of the marriage of Napoleon with Marie-Louise, but in -1814 promptly deserted the fortunes of Napoleon. He was one of the five -members of the Provisional Government, and took part in the Congress -of Vienna as a plenipotentiary. Subsequently he was created a peer -of France and appointed to the ambassadorship at Turin. Born in 1773 -at Mainz, he died at Hernsheim in 1833. His ducal title went to his -nephew, the Comte de Tascher de la Pagerie. - -[35] This correspondence has been annotated and published by M. -Pallain, (Plon, 1888). The correspondence of M. de Talleyrand with -Louis XVIII. forms part of the third volume of the Talleyrand _Memoirs_. - -[36] Known at first as the Comte de Chinon, and subsequently, up to the -death of his father in 1791, as the Duc de Fronsac, Armand Emmanuel -Sophie Septimanie, Duc de Richelieu, and grandson of the famous -marshal, was born in 1776, and died in 1822. He was the First Gentleman -of the Chamber of Louis XVI. at the moment the Revolution broke out. He -emigrated and entered the service of Catherine II., and distinguished -himself under Suvaroff at the siege of Ismaël, and subsequently -commanded an army corps under Condé before Valenciennes in 1793. Having -returned to Russia, where they gave him a cavalry regiment, he fell -into disgrace during the reign of Paul I., and went back to France -in 1801. He declined, however, to renounce foreign military service, -and was compelled to leave; when he placed himself at the disposal of -Alexander I., who appointed him Governor of Odessa. His services to New -Russia in general, and to Odessa in particular, are well known; but -on the restoration of the Bourbons in 1814, he re-entered France with -them and had a peerage conferred upon him, while at the same time he -was appointed First Gentleman of the Chamber. During the Hundred Days -he followed Louis XVIII. to Ghent, then at the second Restoration was -given the Presidency of the Council (Premiership) with the portfolio -of Foreign Affairs. He rendered eminent services, in using his credit -with Alexander I., by reducing the War Indemnity, and the occupation of -France by foreign troops from seven years to five. When he resigned the -Ministry in 1818, the Chambers voted him an income of fifty thousand -francs as a national reward; he employed those sums for the foundation -of an asylum for the aged at Bordeaux. In 1820, after the assassination -of the Duc de Berry and the disgrace of Decazes, he once more accepted -the Presidency of the Council, but his difficulties with the Chambers -made him resign in 1821. He died in the following year, universally -esteemed and regretted. He had been a member of the Académie Française -since 1816. Several memoirs of recent works have contributed much -to bring his figure into relief: the _Mémoires of General Comte de -Rochechouart; Le Duc de Richelieu_, by M. R. de Cisternes; _Louis -XVIII. et le Duc Decazes_, by M. Ernest Daudet, etc. - -[37] Charles André, Comte Pozzo di Borgo, born in Corsica in 1764, -died in Paris in 1842. He began his career as an advocate at Pisa, -and was secretary to Paoli, member of the Corsican Directory in 1790, -deputy in 1791 of the Legislative Assembly. At his return, he openly -declared himself the enemy of the Bonaparte family, and seconded -Paoli, who wished to deliver Corsica to the English. Having become the -creature of Lord Eliot, the viceroy, he was the cause of the recall of -Paoli to London. He himself was bound to fly before the hatred of his -countrymen. As a secret diplomatic agent, he served in turns Prussia, -England, Austria, and Russia. Expelled from Russia in 1807 at the -demand of Napoleon, he was obliged to retire to Constantinople. In 1813 -he was recalled to Russia, and in the following year was sent to Louis -XVIII. as ambassador. He took part in all the Congresses of the Holy -Alliance, and in 1823 was entrusted with the surveillance of the French -army in Spain. In 1835 he was the Russian ambassador in London, and -retired from public life in 1839. - -[38] Written about 1830. Charles XIV. (Bernadotte), who died in 1844. - -[39] Robert Stewart, Viscount Castlereagh, afterwards Marquis of -Londonderry, English statesman, born in 1769, died in 1822. In the -Commons he supported the policy of Pitt; sent to Ireland in 1797, his -administration was marked by extreme violence. He joined one of the -Cabinets of Fox as Minister of War and of the Colonies, resigned his -portfolio in 1806, resumed office in the following year, and became the -directing power of England’s policy. He was the relentless enemy of the -Revolution and of Napoleon, and granted subsidies to all the powers -arrayed against him. At the Congress of Vienna, where he sacrificed -Poland, Saxony and Belgium, he incurred great hatred, and his acts were -strenuously opposed in Parliament itself. His anti-liberal government -rendered him unpopular, and besides his weakness for the Holy Alliance, -his malignant persecution of Caroline of Brunswick, the Consort of -George IV., and his brutality towards the poorer classes made him -generally disliked. He killed himself in a fit of insanity. Castlereagh -had a great reputation as a political orator, but though more fluent -than Canning (with whom he fought a duel in 1806), his speeches lacked -the charm of the latter’s. His son, the Marquis of Londonderry, -ambassador and political writer, distinguished himself in the House of -Lords by a violent Toryism and his hatred of France. - -[40] See the _Mémoires du Général Comte de Rochechouart_ (Plon, 1895). - -[41] Mme. Davidoff was a daughter of the Duc de Gramont and of the -Duchesse, _née_ de Polignac. - -[42] It is difficult to take this panegyric at its own estimate. -M. de La Garde had been well treated by M. de Talleyrand, and his -rare gratitude does him infinite credit; but to lay stress on M. de -Talleyrand’s heart is a dubious piece of flattery. - -[43] Maximilian-Joseph, Elector, and subsequently King, of Bavaria, -under the title of Maximilian I., son of Frederick, Prince des -Deux-Ponts Berkenfeld. He was born in 1756, and died in 1825. He at -first served in the French army, became colonel of the regiment of -Alsace, and remained at Strasburg from 1782 to 1789. He succeeded his -brother, Charles II., in the dukedom of Deux-Ponts, and his uncle, -Charles Theodore, as Elector of Bavaria, and as Duke of Berg and -Juliers in 1799. In 1805 he threw in his lot with the Confederation of -the Rhine, and at the Peace of Presburg received the title of king. -In 1806 he married one of his daughters to Eugène de Beauharnais, -and the other to the Emperor Francis of Austria. In 1813 he joined -the coalition against France. In 1818 he gave a Constitution to his -subjects; he made some salutary reforms in the administration, and -greatly encouraged art and science. - -[44] At nine o’clock on the evening of the 10th May 1809, shells are -thrown into the city of Vienna. At that moment the young Archduchess -Marie-Louise was lying stricken down with illness in the paternal -palace. The circumstance having been brought to Napoleon’s knowledge, -the direction of the projectiles was immediately changed and the -palace respected. Oh, the happy day! Who would have told Marie-Louise -then that in a few months’ time those same hands that caused Vienna -to shake would be weaving crowns for her brow, that at the palace of -the Tuileries she would reign over those Frenchmen who inspired such -fear.--Las Cases, _Mémorial de Sainte-Hélène_. - -[45] A couple of years often went by without his mother seeing him and -scarcely concerning herself about him. The Comte de La Garde Chambonas -sometimes out-Herods Herod as a courtier.--Transl. - -[46] Those are not exactly the bases of M. Rostand’s _Aiglon_. He -supports the contrary thesis. It would be well to strike an average -with the chapters of Prokesch-Osten on the Duc de Reichstadt and with -the book of Montbel on the same subject. The latter work is in turns -inspired by Metternich and Prokesch. - -[47] Sir Neil was one of the eye-witnesses of the heart-stirring scene -at Fontainebleau when Napoleon, straining the imperial eagles to his -breast, yielded to his own emotion and waved his hat, crying like the -rest, ‘Long live the Emperor!’ The _Revue Britannique_ published in -1894 Sir Neil Campbell’s narrative. - -[48] The words are historical. See _Recollections of Méneval_, vol. iii. - -[49] This is another statement of the author in direct contradiction -to absolutely authenticated facts. The scene described must have taken -place at the beginning of October. Napoleon abdicated at the latter end -of April, and during that interval she made a journey of more than two -months, visiting Aix, the Righi, Berne, in the latter of which places -she fell in with George IV.‘s wife. The greater part of that time was -spent in the society of Neipperg.--Transl. - -[50] Constantine Ypsilanti was a Greek, of a family originally hailing -from Trebizond, whose members performed the functions of dragoman at -the court of the Sultans. Alexander entered the Russian service. He -subsequently took part in the Greek insurrection and was compelled to -take refuge in Transylvania (1783-1828). His son (younger brother?), -Demetrius, was for a short time generalissimo of the insurgents of -Morea. - -[51] Two separate works have lately appeared within a short time of -each other on Elisa Bacciochi, Princess of Lucca and Grand-Duchess of -Tuscany. One is by M. Paul Marmottan (Champion) and the other by M. -Rodocanachi (Flammarion). - -[52] M. de Luchesini by his charming conversation enhanced that of the -King of Prussia. He knew the subjects on which the king liked to be -drawn out, and he also possessed the art of listening, an art never -possessed by a fool. M. de Pinto advised the king to make an ambassador -of M. de Luchesini, ‘because,’ as he expressed it, ‘Luchesini was a man -of wit.’ ‘That’s why I keep him with me,’ was the answer.--Author’s -Note. - -[53] The sentence in French runs: ‘Mon frère est coiffé de main de -maitre. It is impossible to give an English equivalent for this, except -at the risk of making it coarse and spoiling it into the bargain. The -deceived husband is said to be ‘coiffé’ by his wife’s lover.--Transl. - -[54] It was, in fact, the fashion at Versailles and at Saint-Cloud. -The most brilliant of all the lotteries was that offered by Monsieur -(the king’s brother), on the 9th August 1689, on the occasion of the -reception of the Venetian ambassador. The Court ladies had some most -magnificent presents. - -[55] In a memoir, written twenty-six years previously, _i.e._, in 1788, -the Prince de Ligne had weighed with great sagacity the questions -which were from that moment inseparable from the fate of Poland. The -preamble describes in delightful and rare terms the Polish character, -and conveys a lofty idea of the author’s charm of expression in -dealing with his brilliant pictures. ‘Who,’ he exclaims, ‘can fail -to love Poland, the Poles, and, above all, Polish women, the mental -qualities and courage of the men, the grace and beauty of their fair -companions?‘--Author’s note. - -[56] M. Edmond Taigny, Isabey’s nephew, published in the _Revue -Européenne_ in 1858 some interesting particulars of the early life -of the great artist, from the latter’s manuscript notes. The period -dealing with Isabey’s sojourn at Vienna during the Congress contains -several references to the present work. - -[57] Hélène Massalska, whose interesting correspondence was published -by M. Lucien Perey under the title of _Histoire d’une Grande Dame au -XVIII^e Siècle_ (Lévy, 2 vols.). - -[58] _Les Mémoires de Casanova de Seingalt_, edited by Henri Beyle, -were published at Leipsig in 1826, and in Paris in 1843 (5 vols.). Some -years ago, Flammarion brought out a new edition. - -[59] Son of the Marquise de Bombelles, _née_ Mackau, the friend of -Madame Élisabeth and of the marquis who was ambassador at Venice at the -outbreak of the Revolution. He had his children educated in Austria, -and took holy orders after the death of his wife. He became Bishop of -Amiens. The Bombelles have remained Austrian. The brother of the Comte -de Bombelles in question was the third husband of Marie-Louise. - -[60] Princess Charlotte, daughter of the Prince Regent, died a -twelve-month after her marriage, 1817. Princesse Louise d’Orléans, died -in 1850. Leopold I., King of the Belgians, died 1865. - -[61] The forty townships are an exaggeration, but the head of the -Esterhazy had twenty manorial lordships, sixty burghs with market -places and four hundred and fourteen villages. - -[62] The Prince Nicolas Esterhazy (1765-1833) was an enlightened -patron of art, and founded the picture-gallery of the Garten-Palace at -Vienna. It was he who offered Haydn the hospitality of his estate at -Eisenstadt. In 1809, he refused the crown of Hungary, offered to him by -Napoleon. - -[63] Prince Paul-Antoine Esterhazy (1786-1866) was ambassador in -Dresden and in London. - -[64] She was the daughter of the Margrave of Baden. - -[65] It would be, but for the fact that, as the French editor, Comte -Fleury, remarks, there is scarcely a word of truth in it except the -beheading of the mother. Comte Fleury gets very angry with the author, -dead though he is, for foisting such a fantastic tale on the Prince de -Ligne. The child was handed over, six or seven weeks after her mother’s -execution, _i.e._, on the 2nd Fructidor, Year II. (corresponding to the -19th August 1794), to a relative, Isabel Leczinska, who took her with -her to Poland, where subsequently she married her cousin, the Comte -Rzewuski. Long before the publication of the books whence M. Fleury -obtained his information, the truth was known to most students of -history.--Transl. - -[66] At the Congress, M. de Talleyrand perseveringly supported the -claims of the King of Naples against the partisans of Murat. The -grateful monarch, in 1817, offered him the dukedom of Dino. M. de -Talleyrand requested its transference to his nephew, the Comte Edmond -de Périgord, who since then has borne the title.--Author. - -[67] Two characters of Grétry’s opera _Zémire et Azor_. It is doubtful, -however, whether the sobriquet is applied in that sense here. The -French frequently bestow the name on dogs; and, in that case, the -meaning is plain enough.--Transl. - -[68] The son or the grandson of Nicholas Mauroyeny, Hospodar of -Wallachia, who was executed in 1790 at Constantinople.--Transl. - -[69] Her liaison with Neipperg had already begun, and she had ceased -to write to Elba. See Ernesto Masi, _Li Due Moglie di Napoleone I._ -Bologna, 1889.--Transl. - -[70] Burchard-Christopher, Comte de Münnich, 1683-1767, officer of -engineers under Peter I., marshal under Anne, fell into disgrace under -Joan VI., recovered favour under Catherine II. - -[71] Hardemberg (Prince d’), 1750-1822, Prussian statesman and -diplomatist. He held the premier’s portfolio several times, but in 1804 -he was replaced for a short time by the Comte de Haugwitz. When he -returned to power he greatly contributed to sustain Friedrich-Wilhelm -III.‘s courage. He fell into disgrace in consequence of Napoleon’s -objections to him after Tilsitt, but he returned to power in 1810 for -good. He was very relentless with regard to France, and at the Congress -of Vienna demanded her dismemberment. He was also present at the -Congresses of Aix-la-Chapelle, Verona, and Laybach. He left important -papers, a portion of which were published in thirteen volumes in 1838 -under the title of _Mémoires Tirés des Papiers d’un Homme d’Etat_. - -[72] This latter statement is only true with regard to indoor -_carrousels_ up to the beginning of the nineteenth century. There are -records of three open-air _carrousels_ in Paris during the seventeenth -century, at which the spectators numbered thousands.--Transl. - -[73] The Comte Jean Axel de Fersen, the commander in France of his own -regiment, the ‘Royal Suédois,’ distinguished himself by his devotion -to the royal family, which he served as a guide during the fatal -journey to Varennes. Having escaped from the storm-tossed events of the -Revolution, he perished a victim to the agitation which prevailed in -Stockholm in 1800. The people, irritated against him, assailed him with -stones during the funeral procession of Prince Charles of Augustenburg, -and finally killed him amidst the most horrible tortures--Author’s Note. - -The political and private correspondence of Fersen was published by -Colonel Klinkowström in Paris under the title of _Le Comte de Fersen et -la Cour de France_ (2 vols.)--Firmin Didot. It is also interesting to -consult M. Paul Gavlot’s _Un Ami de la Reine_--Ollendorf. On the death -of the grand-marshal, read the introduction to the first-named work. - -[74] Gustavus III., most friendly disposed towards monarchical France, -had declared himself violently opposed to the Revolution. He was about -to despatch troops to the French frontier when he was assassinated -during a masked ball at Stockholm on the evening of the 16th March -1792, as a result of a conspiracy among the nobles of his Court. See -Geffroy, _Gustave III. et la Cour de France_ and the _Memoirs_ of the -Duc Cesdars, who at the time of the death of King Gustavus was the -envoy of the princes at Stockholm. - -[75] The prediction was realised. Gustavus IV., son of Gustavus -III., at first reigned under the guardianship of his uncle, the Duc -de Sudermanie (Sudermanland). During his reign Sweden was despoiled -of Finland by Russia, and threatened with war by Denmark. The -dissatisfaction of his subjects led to a conspiracy against the king, -which succeeded. Gustavus was imprisoned, and then exiled for ever -in 1809; the Duc de Sudermanie was proclaimed king with the title of -Charles XIII. Being without issue, he at first adopted the Prince -Christian Augustus of Holstein-Augustenburg. After the sudden death -of that young prince, Charles XIII. hit upon the strange idea to -appoint the French Marshal Bernadotte. Under the title of Charles Jean, -Bernadotte reigned from 1818 to 1844; the present king, Oscar II., is -his grandson. There are no more male Wasas; Queen Caroline of Saxony is -the granddaughter of Gustavus IV. - -[76] In consequence of the Treaty of Luneville in 1801, the Grand-Duchy -of Tuscany was taken away from Ferdinand III., and, under the title -of the kingdom of Etruria, bestowed on the Spanish branch of Parma, -whose states were united to the French domains in Piedmont. King Louis -having died in 1803, his widow, Marie-Louise of Spain, took up the -reins of government for her son Louis II. In December 1807, Etruria -was given up in exchange for the newly-created kingdom of Lusitania -(Portugal); a few months later it constituted three French departments, -under the government of Elisa Napoleon Bonaparte, who had become -Grand-Duchess of Tuscany. See the excellent work of M. Marmottan, _Le -Royaume d’Etrurie_, Ollendorf, 1896; _Elisa Napoléon en Italie_, by -M. E. Rodocanachi, Flammarion, 1900; and the _Carnet Historique et -Littéraire_, 1900. - -[77] Some one had written a song about the Duchesse de Boufflers, -subsequently the wife of Marshal de Luxembourg. Suspecting the Comte de -Tressan to be the author, she said to him: ‘Do you know this song? It -is so well written that not only would I forgive the author, but I’d -even embrace him.’ ‘Well,’ said Tressan, tempted like the crow in the -fable, ‘I wrote it, madame,’ Thereupon she slapped his face. - -[78] Here is the song, composed by the old man a fortnight before his -death:-- - - 1ST VERSE. - - Après une longue guerre - L’enfant ailé de Cythère - Voulut, en donnant la paix, - Tenir à Vienne un Congrès. - Il convoque en diligence - Les dieux qu’on put retenir, - Et par une contredanse - On vit le Congrès s’ouvrir. - -_Translation of 1st Verse._--After a long war, the winged child of -Cytherea wished, in bestowing peace, to hold a Congress at Vienna. He -summoned in hot haste every god that could be had, and, with a Roger de -Coverley, the world beheld the Congress opened. - - 2ND VERSE. - - Au bureau de Terpsichore, - Dès le soir, jusqu’à l’aurore, - On agitait des débats - Sur l’importance d’un pas. - Minerve dit en colère: - ‘Cessez, au moins un instant, - Si vous ne voulez pas faire - A Vienne un Congrès dansant.’ - -_Translation._--At Terpsichore’s quarters, from night until dawn, -debates were regulated on the importance of a step. Minerva got angry -and cried, ‘At any rate, stop for a moment, unless you wish to hold a -dancing Congress at Vienna.’ - - 3RD VERSE. - - Vénus et la Jouissance, - Qui savaient bien que la danse - Ajoutait a leurs appas, - Voulaient qu’on ne cessât pas. - ‘La Sagesse doit se taire,’ - Dit en riant le Plaisir, - ‘A Vienne l’unique affaire - Est de traiter le plaisir.’ - -_Translation._--Venus and the Goddess of Indulgence, who knew very well -that dancing enhanced their charms, made up their minds that there -should be no cessation. ‘Wisdom must hold its tongue,’ said Pleasure, -laughing. ‘The sole business at Vienna is to devise about enjoyment.’ - - 4TH VERSE. - - A ces mots on recommence, - Les masques entrent en danse; - Mars, Hercule, et Jupiter - Valsent un nouveau landler. - Soudain Minerve en furie, - Dit dans son courroux: ‘Je crois - Qu’à ce Congrès la Folie - Présiderait mieux que moi.’ - -_Translation._--The words were the signal for recommencing. The masks -resume the dance; Mars, Hercules, and Jupiter whirl round in a new -landler. Suddenly Minerva got furious, and in her anger cried, ‘I -believe that at this Congress Folly would better preside than I.’ - - 5TH VERSE. - - ‘Taisez-vous, Mademoiselle,’ - Lui dit l’enfant infidèle; - ‘Laissez ces propos oiseux, - Et livrez vous à nos jeux: - Assez longtemps sur la terre - Votre sœur nous fit gémir, - Laissez-nous après la guerre - Respirer pour le plaisir.’ - -_Translation._--‘Hold your tongue. Mademoiselle,’ said the recalcitrant -child; ‘stop your useless chatter, and join us in our games. Your -sister has left us long enough to moan on this earth. And now after the -war, let us get back our breath for enjoyment.’ - - 6TH VERSE. - - A l’instant à la barrière, - Pour entrer dans la carrière, - S’offrent trente chevaliers - Le front couvert de lauriers. - On lisait sur leurs bannières. - Ces mots: _Loyal et fidel_. - Ce sont les chargés d’affaires - Du Congrès au Carrousel. - -_Translation._--In a moment at the barrier, thirty knights present -themselves, their brows encircled by wreaths, and eager to enter upon -the career. (This is imitated from a strophe of the ‘Marseillaise.’) -Their banners displayed the words: ‘Loyal and staunch.’ They are the -chargés d’affaires of the Congress at the _carrousel_. - - 7TH VERSE. - - Enfin de tout on se lasse: - Les bals, les jeux et la chasse - Avaient été discutés - Et résumés en traités. - ‘Que ferons-nous d’avantage?’ - Dit l’Amour. ‘Donnons la paix, - Et cessons ce badinage - En terminant le Congrès.’ - -_Translation._--People get tired of everything. The balls, the games, -and the chase had been discussed and embodied in treaties. ‘What else -remains to be done?’ said Cupid. ‘Let us proclaim peace and cease this -trifling by winding up the Congress.’ - -The reader will kindly excuse this bald translation. I have simply -aimed at giving a literal one. - -[79] To obtain the Order of Maria-Theresa, one of the first among the -military orders of Europe, the recipient must, by his own initiative, -have gained a battle or carried to a successful issue some state affair -without previous instruction from his superiors. After that, his claim -is submitted to the chapter of the order, which discusses it, grants -the claim after discussion, or dismisses it.--Author. - -[80] His fortune yielded an income of 17,000,000 francs. See _infra_ -the particulars of Razumowski, the favourite of Elizabeth, and the -father of the ambassador. - -[81] The official despatch of the ambassadors of the French King at the -Congress of Vienna reports the incident as follows:-- - -_The Emperor of Russia._--‘I have pledged my word and I shall keep it. -I promised Saxony to the King of Prussia the moment we joined each -other.’ - -_Talleyrand._--‘Your Majesty has promised to the King of Prussia -between nine and ten millions of souls. Your Majesty can give them -without destroying Saxony.’ - -_The Emperor._--‘The King of Saxony is a traitor.’ - -_Talleyrand._--‘Sire, the qualification of traitor can never be applied -to a king; and it is important that there shall never be any necessity -for applying it.’ - -After a few moments of silence the czar resumed: - -‘The King of Prussia shall be King of Prussia and of Saxony, just as I -am Emperor of Russia and King of Poland.’--_Mémoires de Talleyrand_, -vol. ii. - -Finally, the interests of Saxony and Prussia were settled, ‘not to the -satisfaction of the one and the other, but by agreement between them,’ -_i.e._ Prussia acquired the two Lusatias, part of Thuringia, and Torgau -and Wittemberg (Treaty of 18th May 1815). - -[82] I have suppressed the particulars of the story, which I considered -unfit for publication.--Transl. - -[83] La Garde exaggerates. Napoleon merely expressed a desire, -and overtures were eventually made at Erfurth. The veto of the -dowager-empress nipped the affair in the bud. Later on, there was an -attempt to reopen the question, but the Emperor of Austria had almost -immediately replied to Talleyrand’s _pourparlers_, and arrangements -were concluded at the moment when Russia seemed inclined to yield. -See on those long hesitations the first volume of M. Albert Vandal’s -_Napoléon et Alexandre_, vol. I. ch. xii.--French Editor. - -M. Vandal is as misleading as La Garde, and for the truth of that -episode no French author of any kind should be consulted, and least of -all those who have written on Russia during the last twenty years. The -German works are much more trustworthy, for the refusal of Napoleon’s -hand was inspired by Germany.--Transl. - -[84] She became, in fact, the fourth wife of Emperor Francis. - -[85] Alexis Orloff, born in 1786, grand-nephew of the famous favourite -of Catherine II., had a magnificent military record. He had specially -distinguished himself during the campaign in Russia, having been -wounded in seven different places at Borodino, and during the campaign -in France. After that he performed many remarkable feats of courage in -the Turkish war, fulfilled several missions, and, in 1830, negotiated -the marriage of Alexander II. with a princess of the House of Hesse. He -died in 1861. - -[86] Transformed into a Prince de Monte-Nuovo. - -[87] This must be the son of Zawadouski, who was the favourite in 1776 -and 1777. - -[88] The word ‘heads’ was invariably used in all the stipulation of -exchanges, divisions of territory, and dismemberment of states. - -[89] The famous speculator. - -[90] The Comte de Montrond, the inseparable companion of Talleyrand. - -[91] The same Malfati who left some notes on the death and post-mortem -examination of the Duc de Reichstadt, which were published in _Le -Carnet Historique_ during 1900. - -[92] Here is the epitaph in question, which it is practically -impossible to translate into English that would sound like sense:-- - - ‘Ci-gît le Prince de Ligne, - Il est tout de son long couché, - Jadis il a beaucoup péché, - Mais ce n’était pas a la ligne.’ - -‘Pêcher à la ligne’ means angling with a rod or with a line. The -prince’s name, literally translated, means ‘the prince of line’; a -change of accent on the verb would make it mean ‘transgressing.’ - -[93] ‘Camarde,’ death. The word has passed into thieves’ slang now, -but in former centuries it was used by poets: Scarron used it. It -derives its origin from _camus_, flat, to denote the flat nose of a -skeleton.--Transl. - -[94] The words are historical. ‘Camarde’ is feminine.--Transl. - -[95] The Prince de Ligne left three daughters, the Princesse de -Clary, the Comtesse Palfi, and the Baronne Spiegel, all of whom -founded families in Austria. His eldest son, Charles, who married -the beautiful Hélène Massalska, whose _Mémoires_ have been published -by M. Lucien Percy, was killed by a cannon-ball at the passage of -la Croix-aux-Bois in the Argonne in September 1792. A daughter, -Sidonie, was born of that marriage. His second son, Louis, who also -preceded his father to the grave, had by his wife, Louise de Duros, -Eugène-François-Lamoral-Charles, Prince de Ligne, d’Amblise, d’Epinay, -who was Belgian ambassador-in-extraordinary in England and in France. -By his first wife, the daughter of the Marquis de Conflans, the Prince -de Ligne had a son, whence sprang the actual Prince de Ligne and the -Prince Ernest de Ligne. By his second wife, the daughter of the Marquis -de Trazegnies, he had a daughter, who became Duchesse de Beaufort. By -his third wife, a Princesse Lubomirska, he had the Princes Charles and -Édouard de Ligne and the Duchesse de Doudeauville. - -[96] ‘With him went the last flower of the age of chivalry,’ wrote -Franz Gaeffer in his _Memoirs_--Kleinen Wiener. - -[97] Sidney Smith’s conversation did not exactly shine by its -conciseness. As may be imagined, the defence of Acre was one of its -ever-recurring topics. The Prince de Ligne, who had been compelled -to listen to Smith’s prolix recital more than once, called him ‘Long -Acre,’ which the author defines as one of the longest streets of London. - -[98] The Comte de Saint Germain pretended to be two thousand years old, -and many people believed him. - -[99] Louis I. (1825-1848), when he abdicated in favour of his son -Maximilian II. King Louis, who was an enlightened patron of art, -frequently came to Paris. He died in 1868. - -[100] Finally, the Grand Duchy of Warsaw became the Kingdom of Poland, -under the protection of Emperor Alexander, with the Grand-Duke -Constantine as its Viceroy. - -[101] The memoirs of the time often mention this Princess Lubomirska, -whose title was Princesse-Maréchale. Elizabeth Czartoryska, Princesse -Lubomirska, was a cousin of King Stanislas-Augustus, who often mentions -her in his correspondence, and constantly deplores her restlessness. -From recent publications, it would appear that, though endowed with -many superior qualities, she was also profoundly disagreeable. She -loved neither her children nor her country, and from sheer _ennui_ she -was always ‘on the move.’ She disliked everything save the traditions -of the French Court during Louis XIV.‘s reign, which traditions she -knew better even than the events which had so profoundly disturbed her -country. She detested every new idea, and her hatred of Napoleon was -intense. To the _émigrés_ she was most charitable. - -[102] When the Duc de Dalberg heard what Pozzo di Borgo had said, he -shook his head. ‘M. Pozzo is not a prophet. In a short time Napoleon -will be in Paris,’ he remarked.--Author. - - - - -INDEX - -_Throughout this translation I have left many of the nobiliary titles -and names of the Continental aristocracy in their French garb; those -of the English personages mentioned I have reduced to their original -expression._ - - - ADHÉMAR, COMTE D’, 130. - - Albert of Austria, Archduke, 166, 403, 404. - - Alembert, D’, 130. - - Alexander I., Emperor of Russia, 4, 6, 17-20, 25, 31-37, - 43, 54, 57, 61-65, 90, 92, 95, 96-101, 111, 117, 119, 122, - 141, 142, 144, 149, 153, 165, 197, 203, 204, 210-217, 225, - 230, 255, 257, 266, 275, 277, 310, 313, 314, 323, 326, 342, - 344, 346-349, 372, 374, 381, 382, 389, 402-407, 414, 417, 418. - - ---- II., Emperor of Russia, 214. - - Alfieri, Comte, 185. - - Ankarstroem, 176. - - Anne Ivanowna, Empress of Russia, 170, 261, 322. - - Apponyi, Comtesse Thérèse d’, 39, 138, 319. - - Aremberg, Duc Louis d’, 73, 359. - - ---- Prince d’, 359. - - Ariosto, 126, 137. - - Arnstein, Baron d’, 209, 293, 360, 386. - - ---- Baronne Fanny d’, 210. - - Aubusson de la Feuillade, d’, ambassador, 186. - - Auesberg, Princesse d’, 318. - - Auguste of Prussia, Prince, 4, 319. - - Augustembourg, Princesse d’, 303, 304. - - - Bacon, Francis, 126. - - Bagration, Prince de, Field-Marshal, 94. - - ---- Princesse de, 39, 94, 101, 213. - - Barclay, John, 207. - - Barclay de Tolly, Field-Marshal, 343. - - Barry, Comtesse du, 130. - - Batthyany, Comte, 139. - - Batthyany, Comtesse, 149, 163, 319. - - Béatrix d’Este, Arch-duchess, 39, 166. - - Beaufort, Duchesse de, 252. - - Beauharnais, Prince Eugène de, 17, 33, 42, 73, 90, 122, 144, 152, - 166, 208, 255, 276, 319, 323, 326, 329, 330, 362, 403, - 404, 413. - - Beaumarchais, Baron de, 51, 361, 383. - - Bernsdorff, Comte de, 172. - - ---- Comtesse de, 39, 94. - - Berry, Duc de, 61. - - Berthier, Marshal, 238, 239. - - Besnadiére, de la, 60, 61, 64. - - Beyle, Henri, 136. - - Bezenval, Baron de, 130. - - Bièvre, Marquis de, 245. - - Bigottini, 156, 361. - - Blanchard, aeronaut, 85. - - Boigne de Faye, 55, 375. - - Bombelles, Comte de, 138. - - ---- Marquis and Marquise de, 138. - - Bonaparte, Princesse, Baciocchi, Elisa, 92, 184. - - ---- Princesse Borghèse, Pauline, 48, 49, 52. - - ---- King of Westphalia, Jérôme, 17, 278. - - Bondy de, prefect, 46. - - Bonnay, Marquis de, 247. - - Bonneval, Comte de, 366. - - Bossuet, 398. - - Boufflers, Duchesse de, 194. - - Bouturlin, Comtesse, 170. - - Brignole, Marquis de, 225. - - Brozin, Colonel, 350, 405. - - Bruce, Mme., 102. - - Bruix, Admiral, 238, 239. - - Bühren, Duc le Courlande, 261. - - Burdett, Sir Francis, 44. - - Burke, Edmund, 118. - - - Cagliostro, Comte de, 288. - - Campochiaro, Duc de, 37. - - Canning, George, 66. - - Canova, 216, 257. - - Capo d’Istria, Comte, 4, 36, 102, 213, 316, 327, 408. - - Cariati, Prince, 235. - - Caroline of Bavaria, Queen, 109, 166, 179, 208, 310, 356. - - ---- of Brunswick, Queen of England, 66. - - ---- of Saxony, Queen, 181. - - ---- Mathilde, Queen of Denmark, 4, 7. - - Carpani, poet, 42, 201. - - Casanova, 126, 135. - - Castlereagh, Lady, 94, 164, 206, 281, 319, 381, 382. - - ---- Lord, 5, 8, 31, 65, 91, 150, 164, 172, 203, 208, 281, 283, 313, - 327, 350, 357, 381, 382, 394. - - Catherine I., Empress of Russia, 258, 352. - - ---- II., Empress of Russia, 3, 12, 60, 72, 78, 100, 103, - 131, 132, 155, 169, 214, 217, 222, 246, 255, 259, 283, 284, - 318, 353, 367, 370, 372, 383, 385, 386. - - ---- d’Oldenbourg, Queen of Würtemberg, 17, 39, 90, 154, 166, 171, - 197, 211-217, 279, 318, 326, 349. - - ---- of Würtemberg, Queen of Westphalia, 17, 279. - - Cellini, Benvenuto, 123. - - Cesdars, Duc, 176. - - Chalanton, the Abbé, 54. - - Chambonas, Marquis de, 302-306. - - Charles, Archduke, 70, 82, 90, 166, 198, 319. - - Charles II., Duc des Deux-Ponts, 72, 292. - - ---- XII., King of Sweden, 180, 271. - - ---- XIII., King of Sweden, 181. - - ---- XIV., Bernadotte, King of Sweden, 64, 181, 272. - - ---- d’Augustenbourg, Prince, 176. - - ---- of Bavaria, Prince, 18, 296, 300. - - ---- of Lorraine, Prince, 199, 255. - - Charles-Gustavus, King of Sweden, 130. - - ---- Louis-Frédéric, Grand-Duke of Baden, 289, 318, 356. - - Charles V., 106, 162, 254. - - Charles-Théodore, Elector of Bavaria, 72. - - Charlotte of Bavaria, Empress of Austria, 212. - - ---- of Saxe-Cobourg, Princess, 139. - - Chodkïewïcz, Comte, 148. - - Christian VII., King of Denmark, 34. - - ---- d’Augustenbourg, Prince, 181. - - Christiana of Sweden, Queen, 112. - - Cisternes, R. de, 61. - - Clancarty, Lord, 5. - - Clary, Comte de, 15. - - ---- Princesse, 14, 252, 253. - - Cobentzel, Comte de, 155, 246. - - Cohari, Comtesse de, 39. - - Coigny, Marquise de, 12, 13, 299. - - Colbert, 151, 174. - - Colloredo, Princesse de, 94, 163. - - Conflans, Marquis de, 252. - - Constantin-Paulowitz, Grand-Duke, 4, 25, 27, 99, 102, 203, 313, 314. - - Cornwallis, General, 288. - - Corregio, 215. - - Coupigny, 144. - - Czartoryski, Prince, 64, 144. - - ---- Prince Adam, 316, 344, 345, 379. - - Czerwertinska, Mme. Narischkine, Princesse, 97, 98, 102, 350, 372, - 402. - - - Dalberg, Duc de, 5, 36, 41, 55, 56, 59, 60, 172, 327, 411. - - ---- Duchesse de, 59. - - Danilewski, 201. - - Dante, 64. - - Daschkoff, Princesse, 262. - - Daudet, Ernest, 61. - - Davencourt, 237, 239. - - Davidoff, Mme., 66. - - Davoust, Marshal, 23. - - Decazes, Duc, 61. - - Deffand, Mme. du, 130. - - Delille, 221. - - Dietrichstein, Prince Maurice, 360. - - Dolgorouki, Prince, 213, 351. - - ---- Princesse, 351. - - Dorothée Wilhelmine of Baden, Queen of Sweden, 175-183, 184, 187. - - Doudeauville, Duchesse de, 252. - - Dubois (poet), 48-53. - - Duchesne, General, 189. - - Dupaty, J. B., 9. - - Duport, dancer, 233. - - Dupré, architect, 177. - - Dürer, Albert, 404. - - Durkeim, Comtesse Louise de, 149, 163. - - Duroc, General, 44. - - - Edward III., King of England, 164. - - Elizabeth, Empress of Russia, 4, 7, 97, 98, 100, 109, 142, 171, - 179, 202, 214, 251, 257, 310, 318, 326, 349, 353, 373, - 383, 402. - - ---- Madame, 138. - - ---- Queen of England, 207, 342. - - Elliot, Lord, 63. - - Enghien, Duc d’, 270, 271. - - Exerenza, Duchesse d’, 41, 158, 159. - - Eskeles, banker, 209. - - Esterhazy, Prince Nicolas, 141, 160, 163. - - ---- Prince Paul, 42, 141, 159. - - ---- Prince Vincent, 166. - - ---- Princesse Marie, 94, 102, 139, 140, 141, 148, 163, 400. - - ---- Princesse Paul, 39, 120, 164, 165, 207. - - ---- Princesse Thérèse, 232. - - Estrées, Gabrielle d’, 415. - - Etienne, Charles-Guillaume, 232, 320. - - Eugène de Savoie, Prince, 12. - - - Falk, Baron de, 208. - - Fauche-Borel, 300, 420. - - Ferdinand I., King of the Two Sicilies, 30, 150. - - ---- II., Emperor of Germany, 198. - - ---- III., Grand-Duke of Tuscany, 166, 184. - - ---- of Prussia, Prince, 395. - - Fersen, Comte Jean-Axel de, 175, 177, 178, 183, 302, 304. - - Foneron, banker, 285, 287. - - Fontenay, de, 227. - - Fouché, Duc d’Otrante, 49-53. - - Fox, Charles, 65. - - Francis I., 167. - - ---- I., Emperor of Austria, 6, 28-34, 73, 76, 79, 88, 89, - 90, 105, 106, 109, 112, 131, 139, 142, 165, 171, 202, 211, - 212, 256, 267, 278, 309-312, 318, 326, 353, 356, 381, 382, - 415, 417. - - Frederic I., King of Würtemberg, 5, 17, 31, 83, 109, 166, - 171, 212, 278, 279, 280. - - ---- II., King of Prussia, 33, 100, 131, 132, 155, 194, 199, - 240, 347, 404. - - ---- III., Emperor of Germany, 348. - - ---- VI., King of Denmark, 31, 33, 34, 166, 171, 275, 297, - 298, 308, 310, 318, 373, 380, 381. - - Frederic-Augustus I., King of Saxony, 5, 45, 65, 66, 204. - - Frederic-William III., King of Prussia, 4, 6, 17, 33, 37, - 42, 91, 93, 95, 99, 102, 155, 166, 171, 172, 202, 204, 254, - 271, 296, 298, 310, 312, 318, 326, 343, 347, 348, 373, 409, - 414. - - ---- ---- IV., King of Prussia, 4, 319. - - Frïes, Comte de, 209. - - Fuchs, Comte de, 157. - - ---- Comtesse Laure de, 41, 42, 43, 46, 55, 94, 141, 156, 157, 319, - 323, 326, 328, 331, 341, 405. - - Fürstenberg, Princesse de, 94. - - - Gagarin, Prince, 213, 351, 405. - - ---- Princesse, 213. - - Galitzin, Prince, 213, 227, 228-230. - - Garnerin, aeronaut, 85. - - Gaulot, Paul, 176. - - Geffroy, 176. - - Genlis, Comtesse de, 211. - - Gentz, Frederic de, 42, 158, 201, 255. - - Geoffrin, Mme., 130. - - George II., King of England, 306. - - ---- III., King of England, 4, 306. - - ---- IV., King of England, 31, 66, 292. - - Gey-Muller, banker, 209, 360. - - Golowkin, Comte, 245-248. - - Gonzalvi, Cardinal, 150, 163. - - Goubault, Mlle., 143. - - Gramont, Duc de, 291. - - Graeffer, Frantz, 253. - - Griffiths, Julius, 8, 9, 202, 209, 214, 248, 268, 287, 288, 292, - 383, 386, 394, 397. - - Guérin, Pierre. 143. - - Gustavus III., King of Sweden, 175, 176, 181. - - Gustavus-Adolphus II., King of Sweden, 271. - - ---- IV., King of Sweden, 172-184, 270-272. - - - Hadick, Comte, 113-116. - - ---- Comtesse Constance, 113-116. - - Hamilton, Lady, 30. - - Hardenberg, Prince de, 4, 36, 64, 172, 203, 351. - - Haugwitz, Comte de, 172. - - Haydn, 24, 141, 143, 275, 311. - - Hédouville, 22. - - Henri II., 162. - - ---- IV., 260, 415. - - Hesse-Philipstadt, Princess of, 143, 299, 300. - - Hiller, General, 33. - - Hohenwarth, Archbishop Prince de, 311. - - Hood, Admiral, 269. - - Hortense, Queen, 143, 144, 323-325, 413. - - Humboldt, Baron Wilhelm von, 4, 94, 172, 276, 395. - - - Isabey, 78-83, 120-125, 138, 309, 354, 394-396. - - Ivan VI., Emperor of Russia, 170. - - - Jean VI., King of Portugal, 39. - - ---- of Austria, Archduke, 166. - - Johnson, Samuel, 11. - - Joseph I., Emperor of Germany, 127. - - ---- II., Emperor of Germany, 34, 81, 84, 127, 131, 197, - 254, 273, 396, 404. - - Josephine, Empress, 59, 124, 361, 363, 405. - - Juan of Austria, Don, 129, 300. - - - Kara-Mustapha, Grand Vizir, 128, 319. - - Kinsky, Chanoinesse, 41, 157. - - Kisseleff, Comte Paul, 350, 351. - - Kleber, General, 39. - - Klinkowström, Colonel, 176. - - Komar, Comte, 345. - - Koreff, Doctor, 42, 201. - - Korsakoff, General, 403. - - Koslowski, Prince, 4, 95, 99, 100, 103, 201, 215, 217, 261, 262-264, - 300, 320, 327, 380, 381, 383, 408, 410, 411, 412, 415. - - Kourakin, Prince, 262. - - Kraskowitz, aeronaut, 85. - - Krazinski, General, 343. - - Krüdner, 347. - - ---- Baronne de, 412. - - Kutusoff, Field-Marshal, 403. - - - Labrador, Chevalier de, 37, 150. - - Lacroix, Paul, 12, 13. - - Lafont, de, 234. - - La Fontaine, Jean de, 130, 375. - - La Garde, Comte de, 10, 14, 19, 67, 77, 211. - - La Harpe, 130. - - Lamballe, Princesse de, 130. - - Lannes, Marshal, 238, 239. - - Lanskarowska, Comtesse, 345. - - Las-Cases, Comte de, 22, 76. - - Lascy, Marshal Comte de, 131. - - La Tour-du-Pin, de, 5, 150, 311. - - Laudon, General Baron de, 131. - - Lauzun, Armand de Biron, Duc de, 13. - - La Vallière, Duchesse de, 101, 103, 143, 350. - - Lazanski, Comtesse, 318. - - Lebrun, Charles, 231. - - Leopold I., Emperor of Germany, 127. - - ---- I., King of the Belgians, 139, 145, 166. - - ---- of Naples, Prince, 150, 311, 319. - - Le Sage, 51. - - Lestocq, Comte de, 261. - - Lesueur, Eustache, 252. - - Lezenska, Isabel, 148. - - Lichtenstein, Prince Charles de, 167. - - ---- Prince Jean de, 163, 185. - - ---- Prince Maurice de, 168, 174, 360. - - ---- Princesse Jean de, 39, 94, 163, 174, 207, 233, 319. - - Ligne, Hélène Massalska, Princesse de, 15, 131, 252. - - ---- Louise de Duras, Princesse de, 252. - - ---- Marshal Jean de, 254. - - ---- Marshal Prince Charles-Joseph de, 5, 11-19, 31, 37, 67-84, 96, - 105, 117-136, 139, 144, 149, 154-156, 161, 164, 166, 169, - 190-200, 218-221, 232, 233, 244-255, 261, 283, 284, 298, - 299, 337, 349, 369, 380. - - Ligne, Prince Charles de, 15, 131, 252. - - ---- Prince Édouard de, 252. - - ---- Prince Ernest de, 252. - - ---- Prince Eugene-François Lamoral-Charles de, 252. - - ---- Prince Louis de, 15, 252. - - Livry, Marquis de, 361. - - Loevenhielm, Comte de, 172. - - Londonderry, Marquis of, 65. - - Lorrain, Claude de, 404. - - Louis I., King of Bavaria, 18, 289, 300, 319. - - ---- I., King of Etruria, 184. - - ---- II., King of Etruria, 184. - - ---- X., Grand-Duke of Hesse-Darmstadt, 5. - - ---- XIII., 165. - - ---- XIV., 44, 48, 57, 101, 102, 143, 147, 151, 174, 175, - 266, 298, 350, 352, 379. - - ---- XV., 42. - - ---- XVI., 60, 63, 309, 311, 336, 356. - - ---- XVIII., 60, 61, 63, 65, 313, 418. - - Louis-Philippe I., 250, 263, 264. - - Louise of Prussia, Queen, 4, 99. - - Lowendahl, Comte de, 302. - - Lubomirska, Princesse Rosalie, 148, 164, 319, 345. - - Lubomirski, Prince, 129. - - Luchesini, Comte de, 150, 402, 404. - - ---- Marquis de, 93, 404. - - Luynes, Duchesse de, 378. - - - Maintenon, Marquise de, 15, 95. - - Malfati, Doctor, 160, 245-251. - - Malte-Brun, 12. - - Manug, Prince, 163. - - Marassi, Comtesse, 144, 149, 164, 232. - - Marguerite de Bourgogne, 300. - - Marialva, Marquis de, 150. - - Maria-Theresa, Empress of Austria, 30, 76, 78, 81, 106, 108, 115, - 131, 200, 220, 273, 358, 396. - - Marie-Antoinette, Queen. 30, 121, 131, 132, 156, 245, 311, 321. - - Marie-Caroline, Queen of Naples, 30, 358. - - Marie Louise, Empress, 59, 76, 77, 78, 80, 82, 138, 154, 166, 217, - 267, 326, 356. - - ---- ---- Queen of Etruria, 184. - - Marie-Louise d’Este, Empress of Austria, 7, 32, 39, 90, 108, 109, - 111, 112, 113, 136, 141, 142, 147, 149, 155, 171, 311, 320, - 326, 349, 412. - - Marie Stuart, Queen, 42. - - Marmont, Marshal, 36. - - Marmottan, Paul, 92, 184. - - Massillon, 398. - - Maupertuis, 254. - - Maurepas, Comte de, 222, 223. - - Maximilian I., Emperor of Germany, 29, 106. - - ---- II., King of Bavaria, 301. - - ---- d’Este, Archduke, 166. - - Maximilian-Joseph I., King of Bavaria, 5, 17, 31, 33, 72, - 95, 102, 144, 152, 166, 171, 179, 212, 275, 276, 296, 297, - 310, 320, 326, 364, 373. - - Mazarin, Cardinal de, 374. - - Mazeppa, 259. - - Ménage, Gilles, 194. - - Méneval, Baron de, 81. - - Menzikoff, General Prince, 261. - - Metastasio, 126. - - Metternich, Prince de, 36, 42, 79, 94, 172, 205, 225, 260, 265, 312, - 313, 353-356, 378, 394, 410, 412, 414, 418. - - Metternich, Princesse de, 137, 149, 163, 232, 355, 412. - - Milton, 341. - - Mirabeau, Marquis de, 155. - - Molière, 155, 246. - - Montbel, Comte de, 79. - - Monte-Nuovo, Prince de, 217. - - Montesquiou, 70. - - Montesquiou, Mme de, 77, 78, 80. - - Montrond, Comte de, 238. - - Moreau, architect, 138, 295, 309. - - Mortier, Marshal, 403. - - Mozart, 143. - - Münnich, Marshal Comte de, 170, 261. - - Murat, King, 150, 208, 358, 412. - - - Napoleon I., 3, 4, 14, 17, 22, 23, 36, 39, 43, 44, 48, 53, - 59, 62, 65, 66, 76-83, 93, 118-125, 134, 141, 152, 159, 172, - 198, 199, 211, 212, 217, 263, 267-271, 274, 279, 313, 315, - 326, 331, 343, 356, 361, 362, 374, 379, 383, 403, 407, 408, - 410, 420. - - Narischkine, Alexander, 95, 97, 201, 213, 226, 235, 236. - - Neil Campbell, Sir, 80. - - Neipperg, Comte de, 83, 166, 217. - - Nelson, Admiral, 30, 305, 308. - - Nesselrode, Comte de, 4, 36, 95, 172, 213, 345, 346, 396, 407. - - Neukomm, 311. - - Ney, Marshal, 403. - - Nicolas I., Emperor of Russia, 36, 43. - - Noailles, Comte Alexis de, 5, 150. - - Nostiltz, General, 42, 300. - - Nowosilitzoff, 117, 119. - - - O’Béarn, 290-293. - - Ojarowski, General Comte, 19, 138. - - Oldenbourg, Grand duc d’, 211. - - Ompteda, Baron d’, 42, 99, 156, 357, 358. - - Orléans, Princesse Louise d’, Queen of the Belgians, 139. - - Orloff, Alexis, 170, 214. - - ---- General Compte, 214. - - ---- Gregory, 170. - - Oscar II., King of Sweden, 181. - - Ostrowski, Comte, 344. - - Ouvrard, Julien, 238, 239, 362. - - Ouwaroff, General, 200, 255, 346, 350, 403, 419. - - Oxford, Earl of, 207. - - - Pahlen, Comte de, 42, 262. - - Palfi, Comte François, 113, 159, 300. - - ---- Comtesse, 15, 248, 252. - - ---- Ferdinand de, 159. - - Pallain, G., 60. - - Palmella, Duc de, 37, 172. - - Pankratieff, General, 351. - - Paoli, General Pascal, 62, 63. - - Parker, Admiral, 305. - - Paar, Comte de, 176, 177. - - ---- Comtesse de, 149, 266. - - Paul I., Emperor of Russia, 42, 61, 96, 262. - - Percy, Lucien, 12, 131, 252. - - Pereyra, Mme., 360. - - Périgord, Comte Edmond de, 150. - - ---- Comtesse Edmond de, 41, 44, 55, 59, 64, 68, 93, 138, 158, 164, - 172, 376, 377, 412. - - Peter I., Emperor of Russia, 95, 170, 208, 259, 348, 352, - 384, 389. - - ---- III., Emperor of Russia, 262. - - Petersen, Comte, 138, 166. - - Petronius, 249. - - Philip I., King of Spain, 254. - - Philip of Hesse-Hombourg, Prince, 5, 42, 43, 91, 158, 163, 174, 255, - 296, 329. - - Piccini, Nicolo, 183. - - Pinto, de, 93. - - Piper, Comte, 183. - - Pitt, William, 42, 65. - - Pius V., Pope, 129. - - ---- VI., Pope, 241. - - ---- VII., 241. - - Pletemberg, Comte, 41. - - ---- Comtesse, 41. - - Polignac, Duchesse Jules de, 130. - - Pompadour, Marquise de, 375. - - Potemkin, Prince, 12, 75, 103, 351, 353, 369. - - Potier, Ch., 51. - - Potocka, Comtesse Sophie, 19, 42, 45, 54, 66, 213, 245, 351, 365-374. - - Potocki, Comte Alfred, 300. - - ---- Comte Arthur, 119, 139, 345. - - ---- Comte Felix, 227, 365, 369-370, 371, 372. - - ---- Comte Jean, 119, 373. - - ---- Comte Stanislas, 138, 300. - - Pozzo di Borgo, General Comte, 4, 60, 62, 63, 64, 95, 150, 315, 316, - 396, 411, 413, 414. - - Praslin, Duchesse de, 13. - - Pratazoff, Comtesse, 283, 284, 385. - - Prokesch Osten, Comte de, 42, 79. - - - Racine, Jean, 48, 143. - - Radzivill, Prince Antoine, 138, 144, 166, 232, 345. - - ---- Princesse Louise, 395. - - Raily, 287-290, 292-294, 386-388, 393. - - Raphael, Sanzio, 215, 404. - - Razumowski, Comte Alexia, 258. - - ---- Field-Marshal Cyril, 202, 258-260. - - ---- Alexis, Minister, 258. - - ---- Prince André, 60, 95, 199, 202, 203, 210, 213, 222, 256-261, 313. - - Récamier, banker, 335. - - ---- Mme., 141, 153, 238, 330, 335-341. - - Rechberg, Comte Charles de, 150, 276, 296, 297, 300, 301, 364, 373. - - Régnier, Archduke of Austria, 166. - - Reichstadt, Duc de, 21, 42, 71, 77-83, 125, 166, 245, 326, 356. - - Rémusat, A. de, 4. - - Reuss, Prince de, 99, 100, 158, 243. - - Richelieu, Duc de, 19, 60, 61, 66, 255, 348, 396. - - ---- Marshal de, 60, 187. - - Rios, Chevalier de Los, 150, 201. - - Robespierre, Maximilien, 363. - - Rochechouart, General Comte de, 61, 66. - - Rodocanachi, Emmanuel, 92, 184. - - Rodolphe of Hapsbourg, Emperor of Germany, 106, 130. - - Rohan, Prince Louis de, 377. - - Romanzoff, Grand Chancellor, 262. - - Rosemberg, Prince, 288, 386. - - Rossi, Comte de, 150. - - Rostand, Edmond, 79. - - Rouen, Achille, 54, 201, 236, 237, 240, 241, 243, 375. - - Rousseau, Jean-Jacques, 15, 70, 78, 132. - - Rozen, Comte de, 178, 179. - - Rubens, 205, 405. - - Ruffo, Commander Alvaro, 37, 172. - - Ruysdael, 88. - - Rzewuska, Comtesse Rosalie, 147, 148, 164, 319. - - Rzewuski, Comte, 148. - - - Sagan, Duchesse de, 40, 94, 120, 157. - - Saint-Germain, Comte de, 288. - - Saint-Marsan, Comte de, 48, 53, 150. - - Salieri, 68, 311. - - Salisbury, Alice of, 104. - - Salm, Prince de, 77. - - Salvox, Marquis de, 133. - - Sapieha, Prince Paul, 345. - - ---- Princesse Paul, 39, 345. - - Saxe-Teschen, Duc de, 402. - - Saxe-Weimar, Grand-Duchess Marie of, 90, 166, 171, 318, 349. - - Schenye, Louis de, 167. - - Schiller, 138. - - Schönborn, Comte de, 144. - - ---- Comtesse de, 149. - - Schönfeldt, Comte de, 143, 107, 231. - - Schwartzenberg, Eléonore de, 149. - - ---- Marshal Prince de, 21, 25, 33, 265, 327, 356, 359. - - ---- Pauline de, 149. - - ---- Prince Joseph de, 21. - - ---- Princesse de, 163. - - Sebastiani, Marshal, 13. - - ---- Maréchale, 13. - - Ségur, Marshal de, 231, 246. - - Serent, Duc de, 121. - - Serrurier, Marshal, 22. - - Sévigné, Marquise de, 207. - - Shakespeare, William, 9, 263, 274. - - Sidney Smith, Admiral, 39, 91, 147, 172, 268-275, 278, 289. - - Sigismond, Emperor of Germany, 118. - - Sinclair, George, 43, 44. - - ---- Sir John, 44. - - Siniavin, Admiral, 316. - - Sobieski, John, 118, 128, 129, 319. - - Souvaroff, General, 60, 96, 213. - - ---- Princesse Hélène, 96, 103, 149, 213, 396-400. - - Spiegel, Baronne, 15, 252. - - Stackelberg, Comte de, 4, 350, 353. - - Staël, Baronne de, 12, 91, 133, 134, 135. - - Stahrenberg, Princesse de, 163. - - Stair, Lord, 401. - - Stanislas-Augustus, King of Poland, 379. - - Stein, Baron de, 36. - - Sterne, Lawrence, 9. - - Struenzée, J.-F., 4. - - Stewart, Lord. English Ambassador, 90, 151, 205, 267, 341, 410. - - Sully, Duc de, 260, 415. - - - Taigny, Edmond, 121. - - Talleyrand, Mme. Grant, Princesse de, 238, 239, 240. - - ---- Prince de Bénévent, 5, 14, 36, 40, 55-60, 64-65, 96, 121, 150, - 204, 208, 211, 236-243, 309, 311, 312, 313, 315, 327, 351, - 353, 375-379, 412, 414, 416-419. - - Tallien, 362. - - ---- Mme., 362, 363. - - Talma, 101. - - Tascher de la Pagerie, Comte de, 60. - - Tasso, 137, 372. - - Teniers, David, 88. - - Tettenborn, General, 4, 20-25, 47, 91, 201, 242, 255, 290, 396. - - Theodore I., King of Corsica, 275, 276. - - Thierry, Baron, 147. - - Titians, 405. - - Tolstoy, Comtesse, 100. - - ---- Marshal Comte, 100, 101, 351. - - Torlonia, Duc de, 241, 242. - - Torstenson, Comte de, 180, 182. - - ---- Field-Marshal, 180. - - Tour-et-Taxis, Princesse de la, 39, 94, 99, 147. - - Trauttmansdorff, Comte de, 143, 167, 172. - - ---- Marshal Prince de, 120, 137, 143, 161, 318. - - Trazegnies, Marquis de, 252. - - Trembecki, poet, 373, 374. - - Tressan, Comte de, 194. - - Troubetzkoi, Prince, 213, 351. - - Turach, Captain Albert, 307. - - Turenne, Marshal de, 125. - - Tyskewiez, Mme., 378. - - - Urgate, Comtesse d’, 149. - - - Vandal, Albert, 211. - - Van Dyck, 215, 405. - - Varnhagen, 42. - - Vatel, 207. - - Vaudémont, Princess de, 378. - - Vaudreuil, Comte de, 130. - - Vestris, 381. - - Vitzay, Comte, 286. - - Volkonski, Prince, 95, 213. - - ---- Princesse, 102. - - Voltaire, 130, 132, 155, 274, 275. - - - Walluzen, Comtesse, 319. - - Walmoden, Field-Marshal, 42, 158, 163, 255. - - Wallstein, Comte de, 138, 232. - - ---- Prince de, 135. - - ---- Princesse de, 163. - - Wargemont, Viscomte de, 167. - - Wellesley Pole, 382. - - Wellington, General Duke of, 381, 394, 414. - - Werner, Zacharie, 398, 399. - - Wessemberg, Baron de, 172. - - Wilhem, Mlle. de, 147. - - William, Duke of Hesse-Cassel, 5. - - ---- I., King of Würtemberg, 5, 17, 32, 98, 211, 212, 213, - 215-279, 289, 319. - - Wintzingerode, Comte de, 36, 150, 207, 351. - - Witt, Comte Jean de, 45, 367-370. - - ---- General Comte de, 4, 42, 45, 46, 48, 53, 54, 154, 156, 201, - 244, 245, 255, 297, 298, 301, 305, 320, 321, 327, 346, 369. - - ---- Princesse Lubomirska, Comtesse de, 45. - - Woronzoff, Chancellor, 170. - - Wortzel, 369. - - Woyna, Comte Alfred de, 233. - - ---- Comte Félix de, 45, 138, 143, 160, 166, 233. - - ---- Comtesse Sophie de, 138, 149. - - Wrède, Marshal Prince de, 36, 326. - - Wurbna, Comte de, 146, 147. - - ---- Comtesse Flore de, 138. - - Wurmbrandt, Comte de, 162. - - - Yblonowska, Princesse, 138, 143, 149. - - York, Duke of, 32. - - Ypsilanti, Alexandre, 4, 87, 91, 92, 103, 112, 133, 201, 231, 242, - 255, 297, 327, 396, 406-409. - - ---- Constantin, 91. - - ---- Demetrius, 91. - - - Zaiguelius, the Abbé, 311. - - Zamoyska, Comtesse, 39, 144, 235, 344. - - Zawadowski, 222, 294, 296, 301. - - Zohny, Comte, 138. - - Zibin, Colonel, 19, 20, 90, 285, 296, 298, 402, 404. - - Zichy, Comte Charles, 138, 145. - - ---- ---- François, 319. - - ---- Comtesse Julie, 94, 120, 137, 138, 143, 149, 264, 318, 326. - - ---- ---- Sophie, 164, 231, 319. - - - Printed by T. and A. CONSTABLE, (late) Printers to Her Majesty - at the Edinburgh University Press - - - - -Transcriber’s Notes - - -Punctuation, hyphenation, and spelling were made consistent when a -predominant preference was found in this book; otherwise they were not -changed. 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You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Anecdotal Recollections of the Congress of Vienna - -Author: Auguste Louis Charles, compte de La Garde-Chambonas - -Translator: Albert Dresden Vandam - -Release Date: January 27, 2017 [EBook #54061] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RECOLLECTIONS--CONGRESS OF VIENNA *** - - - - -Produced by Josep Cols Canals, Charlie Howard, and the -Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net -(This file was produced from images generously made -available by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - -</pre> - - -<h1><span class="wspace smaller">ANECDOTAL RECOLLECTIONS</span><br /> -<span class="small">OF THE</span><br /> -<span class="wspace">CONGRESS OF VIENNA</span></h1> - -<div id="i_frontis" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 24.125em;"> - <img src="images/i_002.jpg" width="386" height="600" alt="" /> - <div class="caption"><span class="smcap">Francis I, Emperor of Austria.</span></div></div> - -<hr /> - -<div class="center vspace newpage p4 wspace"> -<p> -<span class="larger">ANECDOTAL RECOLLECTIONS</span><br /> -<span class="smaller">OF THE</span><br /> -<span class="xlarge">CONGRESS OF VIENNA</span></p> - -<p class="p2"><span class="smaller">BY THE</span><br /> -COMTE A. DE LA GARDE-CHAMBONAS</p> - -<p class="p2"><span class="smaller">WITH<br /> -<i>INTRODUCTION AND NOTES BY THE</i></span><br /> -<span class="larger">COMTE FLEURY</span></p> - -<p class="p2">Translated<br /> -<span class="smaller">BY THE AUTHOR OF<br /> -‘AN ENGLISHMAN IN PARIS’</span></p> - -<p class="p2 small">WITH PORTRAITS</p> - -<p class="p2 gesperrt">LONDON<br /> -CHAPMAN & HALL, LIMITED<br /> -<span class="smaller">1902</span> -</p> -</div> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_v">v</a></span></p> -<p class="newpage p4 small center in4">Edinburgh: T. and A. <span class="smcap">Constable</span>, (late) Printers to Her Majesty</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2><a id="CONTENTS"></a>CONTENTS</h2> -</div> - -<table id="toc" summary="Contents"> - <tr class="small"> - <td> </td> - <td class="tdr">PAGE</td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICE OF THE COMTE AUGUSTE DE LA GARDE-CHAMBONAS</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#BIOGRAPHICAL">xiii</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdc chap" colspan="2">INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER</td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Introduction—A Glance at the Congress—Arrival of the Sovereigns—The First Night in Vienna,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#INTRODUCTORY">1</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdc chap" colspan="2">CHAPTER I</td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">The Prince de Ligne—His Wit and his Urbanity—Robinson Crusoe—The Masked Ball and Rout—Sovereigns in Dominos—The Emperor of Russia and Prince Eugène—Kings and Princes—Zibin—General Tettenborn—A Glance at his Military Career—Grand Military Fête in Honour of Peace—The Footing of Intimacy of the Sovereigns at the Congress—The Imperial Palace—Death of Queen Maria Carolina of Naples—Emperor Alexander—Anecdotes—Sovereign Gifts—Politics and Diplomacy—The Grand Rout—The Waltz,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_I">11</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdc chap" colspan="2">CHAPTER II</td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">The Drawing-Rooms of the Comtesse de Fuchs—The Prince Philip of Hesse-Homburg—George Sinclair—The Announcement of a Military Tournament—The Comtesse Edmond de Périgord General Comte de Witt—Letters of Recommendation—The Princesse Pauline—The Poet-Functionary and Fouché,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_II">41</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdc chap" colspan="2">CHAPTER III</td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Reception at M. de Talleyrand’s—His Attitude at the Congress—The <span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_vi">vi</a></span>Duc de Dalberg—The Duc de Richelieu—Mme. Edmond de Périgord—M. Pozzo di Borgo—Parallel between the Prince de Ligne and M. de Talleyrand—A Monster Concert,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_III">55</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdc chap" colspan="2">CHAPTER IV</td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">The Prince de Ligne’s Study—A Swimming Exploit—Travelling by Post—A Reminiscence of Madame de Staël—Schönbrunn—The Son of Napoleon—His Portrait—Mme. de Montesquiou—Anecdotes—Isabey—The Manœuvring-Ground—The People’s Fête at Augarten,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">70</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdc chap" colspan="2">CHAPTER V</td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">The Prater—The Carriages—The Crowd and the Sovereigns—The Sovereigns’ Incognito—Alexander Ypsilanti—The Vienna Drawing-Rooms—Princesse Bagration—The Narischkine Family—A Lottery,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_V">87</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdc chap" colspan="2">CHAPTER VI</td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">The Castle of Laxemburg—Heron-Hawking—The Empress of Austria—A Royal Hunt—Fête at the Ritterburg—A Recollection of Christina of Sweden—Constance and Theodore, or the Blind Husband—Poland—Scheme for her Independence—The Comte Arthur Potocki—The Prince de Ligne and Isabey—The Prince de Ligne’s House on the Kalemberg—Confidential Chats and Recollections—The Empress Catherine <span class="smcap smaller">II.</span>—Queen Marie-Antoinette—Mme. de Staël—Casanova,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">105</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdc chap" colspan="2">CHAPTER VII</td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">A Court Function—The Empress of Austria—The Troubadours—Amateur Theatricals—The Empress of Russia—The Prince Leopold of Saxe-Cobourg—Tableaux-Vivants—Queen Hortense’s Songs—The Moustaches of the Comte de Wurbna—Songs in Action—The Orphan of the Prisons—Diplomacy and Dancing—A Ball and a Supper at Court,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">137</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdc chap" colspan="2">CHAPTER VIII</td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Prince Eugène de Beauharnais—Recollections of the Prince de <span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_vii">vii</a></span>Ligne—The Theatre of the ‘Ermitage’ and of Trianon—The Baron Ompteda—Some Portraits—The Imperial <i>Carrousel</i>—The Four-and-Twenty Paladins—Reminiscences of Mediæval Tournaments—The Prowess of the Champion—Fête and Supper at the Imperial Palace—The Table of the Sovereigns,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">152</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdc chap" colspan="2">CHAPTER IX</td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Recollections of the Military Tournament of Stockholm in 1800—The Comte de Fersen—King Gustavus <span class="smcap smaller">IV.</span>—The Challenge of the Unknown Knight—The Games on the Bridge at Pisa,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_IX">174</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdc chap" colspan="2">CHAPTER X</td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">The Prince de Ligne’s Song of the Congress—Life on the Graben—The Chronicle of the Congress—Echoes of the Congress—A Companion Story to the Death of Vatel—Brie, the King of Cheese—Fête at Arnstein the Banker’s—The Prince Royal of Würtemberg—Russian Dances—The Poet Carpani and the Prince de Ligne,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_X">193</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdc chap" colspan="2">CHAPTER XI</td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">The Last Love-Tryst of the Prince de Ligne—A Glance at the Past—Z—— or the Consequences of Gaming—Gambling in Poland and in Russia—The Biter Bit—Masked Ball—The Prince de Ligne and a Domino—More Living Pictures—The Pasha of Surêne—Two Masked Ladies—A Recollection of the Prince de Talleyrand,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XI">218</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdc chap" colspan="2">CHAPTER XII</td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Illness of the Prince de Ligne—The Comte de Witt—Ambassador Golowkin—Doctor Malfati—The Prince gets worse—Last Sallies of the Moribund—General Grief—Portrait of the Prince de Ligne—His Funeral,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XII">244</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdc chap" colspan="2">CHAPTER XIII</td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">The Fire at the Razumowski Palace—The Prince’s Great Wealth—The Vicissitudes of Court Favour in Russia—Prince <span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_viii">viii</a></span>Koslowski—A Reminiscence of the Duc d’Orléans—A Re-mark of Talleyrand—Fête at the Comtesse Zichy’s—Emperor Alexander and his Ardent Wishes for Peace—New Year’s Day, 1815—Grand Ball and Rout—Sir Sidney Smith’s Dinner-Party at the Augarten—His Chequered Life, his Missions and his Projects at the Congress—The King of Bavaria without Money—Departure and Anger of the King of Würtemberg—The Queen of Westphalia—The Announcement of a Sleighing-Party—A Ball at Lord Castlereagh’s,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">256</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdc chap" colspan="2">CHAPTER XIV</td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Some Original Types at the Congress—M. Aïdé—A Witticism of the Prince de Ligne—Mme. Pratazoff—Mr. Foneron—The Old Jew—His Noblesse and his Moral Code—Mr. Raily—His Dinners and his Companions—The Two Dukes—The End of a Gambler—The Sovereigns’ Incognito—Mr. O’Bearn—Ball at the Apollo—Zibin and the King of Prussia—Charles de Rechberg and the King of Bavaria—The Minuet—The King of Denmark—Story of the Bombardment of Copenhagen—The German Lesson,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">282</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdc chap" colspan="2">CHAPTER XV</td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Religious Ceremony for the Anniversary of the Death of Louis <span class="smcap smaller">XVI.</span>—Reception at Talleyrand’s—Discussion on the Subject of Saxony and Poland—The Order of the Day of the Grand-Duke Constantine—A Factum of Pozzo di Borgo—A Sleighing-Party—Entertainment and Fête at Schönbrunn—Prince Eugène—Recollections of Queen Hortense—The Empress Marie-Louise at the Valley of St. Helena—Second Sleighing-Party—A Funeral,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XV">309</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdc chap" colspan="2">CHAPTER XVI</td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Reception at Madame de Fuchs’s—Prince Philippe d’Hesse-Hombourg—The Journalists and Newsmongers of Vienna—The French Village in Germany—Prince Eugène—Recollection of the Consulate—Tribulations of M. Denville—Mme. Récamier—The Return of the <i>Émigré</i>—Childhood’s Friend, or the Magic of a Name—Ball at Lord Stewart’s—Alexander proclaimed King of Poland—The Prince Czartoryski—Confidence of the Poles—Count Arthur Potocki—The Revolutions of Poland—Slavery—Vandar—Ivan, or the <span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_ix">ix</a></span>Polish Serf,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">328</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdc chap" colspan="2">CHAPTER XVII</td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">The Emperor Alexander, the King of Prussia, and the Naval Officer—Surprise to the Empress of Russia—More Fêtes—A Ball at M. de Stackelberg’s—Paul Kisseleff—Brozin—Fête offered by M. de Metternich—The Ball-Room catches Fire—Fêtes and Banquet at the Court—Ompteda—Chronicle of the Congress—The Tell-tale Perfume—Recollection of Empress Josephine and Madame Tallien—A Romantic Court Story,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVII">346</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdc chap" colspan="2">CHAPTER XVIII</td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">The Comte de Rechberg’s Work on the Governments of the Russian Empire—The King of Bavaria—Polish Poem of Sophiowka—Madame Potocka, or the Handsome Fanariote—Her Infancy—Particulars of Her Life—A Glance at the Park of Sophiowka—Subscription of the Sovereigns—Actual State of Sophiowka,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII">364</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdc chap" colspan="2">CHAPTER XIX</td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">A Luncheon at M. de Talleyrand’s on his Birthday—M. de Talleyrand and the MS.—The Princesse-Maréchale Lubomirska—New Arrivals—Chaos of Claims—The Indemnities of the King of Denmark—Rumours of the Congress—Arrival of Wellington at Vienna—The Carnival—Fête of the Emperor of Austria—A Masked Rout—The Diadem, or Vanity Punished—A Million—Gambling and Slavery: a Russian Anecdote,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIX">375</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdc chap" colspan="2">CHAPTER XX</td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Isabey’s Study—His Drawing of the Plenipotentiaries at the Congress of Vienna—The Imperial Sepulchre at the Capuchins—Recollections of the Tombs of Cracow—Preacher Werner—St. Stephen’s Cathedral—Children’s Ball at Princesse Marie Esterhazy’s—The Empress Elizabeth of Russia—The Picture-Gallery of the Duc de Saxe-Teschen—Emperor Alexander and Prince Eugène—The Pictures of <span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_x">x</a></span>the Belvedere—The King of Bavaria—Anecdotes,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XX">394</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdc chap" colspan="2">CHAPTER XXI</td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Ypsilanti—Promenade on the Prater—First Rumour of the Escape of Napoleon—Projects for the Deliverance of Greece—Comte Capo d’Istria—The Hétairites—Meeting with Ypsilanti in 1820—His Projects and Reverses,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXI">406</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdc chap" colspan="2">CONCLUSION</td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Napoleon has left Elba—Aspect of Vienna—Theatricals at the Court—Mme. Edmond de Périgord and the Rehearsal—Napoleon’s Landing at Cannes—The Interrupted Dance—Able Conduct of M. de Talleyrand—Declaration of the 13th March—Fauche Borel—The Congress is Dissolved,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CONCLUSION">410</a></td></tr> - <tr class="p2"> - <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Index</span>,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#INDEX">421</a></td></tr> -</table> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_xi">xi</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2><a id="PORTRAITS"></a>PORTRAITS</h2> -</div> - -<table id="loi" summary="Portraits"> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">FRANCIS I., EMPEROR OF AUSTRIA,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#i_frontis"><i>Frontispiece</i></a>.</td></tr> - <tr class="smaller"> - <td> </td> - <td class="tdr nopad"><i>at page</i></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">COUNT NESSELRODE,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#ip_36">36</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">MARIE-LOUISE, ARCHDUCHESS OF AUSTRIA,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#ip_76">76</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">ALEXANDER I.,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#ip_142">142</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">MARIE, DOWAGER-EMPRESS OF RUSSIA,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#ip_211">211</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">ROBERT, VISCOUNT CASTLEREAGH, MARQUESS OF LONDONDERRY,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#ip_280">281</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">PRINCE DE METTERNICH,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#ip_353">353</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">M. MAURICE DE TALLEYRAND,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#ip_376">376</a></td></tr> -</table> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_xiii">xiii</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2><a id="BIOGRAPHICAL"></a>BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICE OF THE COMTE -AUGUSTE DE LA GARDE-CHAMBONAS</h2> -</div> - -<p>Auguste-Louis-Charles de La Garde,<a id="FNanchor_1" href="#Footnote_1" class="fnanchor">1</a> a man of -letters and a poet of some repute in his time, was -born in Paris in 1783. The following is a copy -of his certificate of <span class="locked">baptism:—</span></p> - -<table id="bcertif" summary="certificate of baptism"> - <tr> - <td class="tdc"><span class="smcap">The Old Parish of</span><br /> -<span class="smcap">Saint-Eustache,</span><br /> -<span class="smcap">Anno 1783.</span><br /> -(<span class="smcap">Registry of Paris.</span>)</td> - - - <td class="tdl">On Wednesday, the fifth day of March of the year seventeen hundred -and eighty-three, there was baptized -Auguste-Louis-Charles, born on the -previous day but one, the son of -Messire le Comte Scipion-Auguste -de La Garde, chevalier, captain of -Dragoons, and of Dame Catherine-Françoise -Voudu, his wife, domiciled -in the Rue de Richelieu. Godfather—Messire -Jean de la Croix, captain of -Dragoons; Godmother—Dame Elisabeth -Vingtrinien, wife of M. Etienne-Antoine -Barryals, Bourgeois of Paris.<a id="FNanchor_2" href="#Footnote_2" class="fnanchor">2</a></td> -</tr> -</table> - -<p>The child’s mother died in giving it birth. The -father only survived the beloved young wife for a -little while, and feeling his end to be near, confided -the orphan to the head of his family, the Marquis -de Chambonas (Scipion-Charles-Victor Auguste de -La Garde), camp-marshal (equivalent to the present<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_xiv">xiv</a></span> -grade of general of brigade), and subsequently a -minister of Louis <span class="smcap smaller">XVI.</span><a id="FNanchor_3" href="#Footnote_3" class="fnanchor">3</a></p> - -<p>M. de Chambonas took charge of the infant, looking -upon it as a second son, and treating it with the most -constant affection. Consequently in all his works, -and in his <cite>Unpublished Notes</cite>, Auguste de La -Garde always refers by the name of ‘father’ to the -relative who had replaced his dead parents.<a id="FNanchor_4" href="#Footnote_4" class="fnanchor">4</a></p> - -<p>During his early childhood, he was often entrusted -to his godmother, Mme. de Villers.<a id="FNanchor_5" href="#Footnote_5" class="fnanchor">5</a> She was the -friend of Mme. Bernard, the wife of the Lyons banker, -whose daughter was to attain such great celebrity -under the name of Mme. Récamier. Brought up -together, as it were, these two children conceived for -each other a sincere affection, which neither time nor -distance ever cooled. When, on his return from -foreign parts, Auguste de La Garde came to Paris<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_xv">xv</a></span> -in 1801, he at once took up his abode at Mme. -Récamier’s, who, moreover, gave him the support so -necessary to the youthful wanderer who possessed no -resources of his own. Hence, it will cause no surprise -to meet in the <cite>Recollections of the Congress -of Vienna</cite> with pages breathing a profound sense of -gratitude to Mme. Récamier.</p> - -<p>Young La Garde began his studies under the -guidance of the Abbé B——, after which he was -sent to the College of Sens. (His ‘father’ had been -governor of the town in 1789, and its mayor in -1791.) M. de Chambonas, after having commanded -the 17th division of the army of Paris for a very -short time, was called to the ministry of Foreign -Affairs, the 17th June 1792, to replace Dumouriez, -who had resigned. His stay there was also very -short. Having been denounced publicly in the -Legislative Assembly for having withheld information -with regard to the movements of the Prussian troops, -and becoming more and more suspect every day, he -quickly abandoned the post.</p> - -<p>On the 10th August he was among those who -endeavoured to defend the Tuileries, and was even -left for dead on the spot. It was only towards the -end of 1792 that M. de Chambonas made up his -mind to quit Paris. He did not cross the frontier, but -managed to reach Sens; where, in safe hiding, he -succeeded in spending unmolested the years of the -Reign of Terror. He had taken with him his son, -who subsequently married Mlle. de la Vernade, at -Sens (and who was the grandfather of the present -Marquis de Chambonas), and also his adopted son.</p> - -<p>How did the erewhile minister of Louis <span class="smcap smaller">XVI.</span> -succeed in passing unmolested through the Terror? -It seems almost incredible. This was one of the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_xvi">xvi</a></span> -exceptions the particulars of which have been traced -by memoirs that have recently come to light.<a id="FNanchor_6" href="#Footnote_6" class="fnanchor">6</a></p> - -<p>During the Directory, in fact, M. de Chambonas -floated absolutely to the top, and at one time there -was talk of sending him to Spain as ambassador. -The plan fell through, and after the <i>coup d’état</i> on -the 18th Fructidor (4th September 1797), M. de -Chambonas, considering himself no longer safe, -hurriedly left Paris to avoid arrest.</p> - -<p>Behold our wanderers at Hamburg, and afterwards -in Sweden and Denmark. Auguste de La Garde in -his somewhat florid style will tell us many amusing -anecdotes; on the other hand, the bombardment of -Copenhagen by the English fleet in 1801 affected him -sadly.</p> - -<p>A few months later, the lad of eighteen is sent to -France by M. de Chambonas in order to obtain the -removal of the sender’s name from the list of <i>émigrés</i>—he -had been considered as such while he was in -hiding at Sens—and to claim the estates the nation -had confiscated. Auguste de La Garde is hospitably -received by Mme. Récamier, who, while bestirring -herself in behalf of the ‘father,’ takes the son in hand -with regard to his education. Through her influence, -La Harpe assists him with his counsels, and the best -professors direct his further studies. As for the -property the restitution of which is claimed by his -‘father,’ by that time established in England, all idea -of it had to be abandoned; and young La Garde -himself, his mind precociously ripened by his exile,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_xvii">xvii</a></span> -was compelled to look to his own independent -future.<a id="FNanchor_7" href="#Footnote_7" class="fnanchor">7</a></p> - -<p>His personal charm, his natural gifts, and, in short, -the useful connections he rapidly made for himself, -soon procured him employment and a start in life. -At the outset, he obtained through the goodwill of -Prince Eugène missions to Italy, to Marmont in -Dalmatia, to the Court of King Joseph at Naples, -and finally to Rome, where he was cordially received -by Lucien Bonaparte and his family. The pages, -whether in his <cite>Recollections of the Congress of Vienna</cite> -or in his <cite>Unpublished Notes</cite>, referring to his primary -benefactors, go far to exonerate him from the charge -of ingratitude, for he lavishes upon those benefactors -all the ornaments of his rhetoric; at any rate, nearly -all, for the greater part of the acknowledgment of -his indebtedness goes mainly to Field-Marshal Prince -de Ligne, who was his protector, his beneficent and -... very useful relative, a member of the Chambonas -family, having, as we already stated, married a -Princesse de Ligne.</p> - -<p>La Garde first met with the Prince de Ligne in the -Eternal City. He soon became a familiar visitor to -the octogenarian prince, who, like the generous Mæcenas -that he was, gave him a pressing invitation to come -and settle near him in Vienna. The young fellow<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_xviii">xviii</a></span> -was too sensible to make light of an offer insuring -material welfare and a regular existence after years -of uncertainty. He, therefore, settled in Vienna near -to his benefactor, yielding for the matter of that to -the spell exercised over every one by that very -superior specimen of manhood, and requiting his -kindness with an affectionate veneration increasing as -time went on. The whole of the first part of the -<cite>Recollections</cite> attests a boundless gratitude; and if -on the one hand that work constitutes the brightest -ornament of our author’s literary crown, it constitutes -on the other the most complete panegyric of the -prince who had become ‘his idol.’</p> - -<p>From Vienna, the Comte de La Garde passed into -Russia, where he met with a cordial welcome from -the elegant society of St. Petersburg. In 1810 he -published there a volume of poems, which obtained -a most signal success. Subsequently invited to -Poland by the Comte Félix Potocki, and treated -with the most generous hospitality, he was enabled -to devote himself to numerous literary works; and -as a mark of gratitude to his hosts, he translated -into French Trembecki’s poem dedicated to the -cherished wife of Comte Félix, the celebrated Sophie -Potocka.</p> - -<p>The <cite>Recollections of the Congress of Vienna</cite> contains -frequent references to the ‘superb Sophie,’ who -was born in the Fanariote quarter in Constantinople, -and whose singular career was solely owing to her -beauty. She married in the first place the Comte de -Witt (of the family of the Dutch Great State-Councillor, -whose descendants had entered the service -of Russia). The Comte de Witt enticed her away -from a secretary of the French Embassy in Constantinople; -Comte Félix Potocki, in his turn, eloped<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_xix">xix</a></span> -with her while she was Comtesse de Witt, and -married her, thanks to an amicable arrangement nullifying -the first marriage. Comtesse Sophie, celebrated -throughout Europe—her loveliness had even compelled -admiration from the Court circle at Versailles—lived -on a regal footing on her estate of Tulczim, and dispensed -her hospitality to the French <i>émigrés</i> in a -manner calculated to dazzle many of them. The -<cite>Mémoires</cite> of General Comte de Rochechouart and -the present <cite>Recollections</cite> are specially interesting on -the subject. The success of the poem, ‘Sophiowka,’ -was such as to gain for its adapter the honorary -membership respectively of the Academies of Warsaw, -Cracow, Munich, London, and Naples.</p> - -<p>The Comte de La Garde was to receive another -flattering testimonial in Poland, many years later, on -the occasion of the appearance of his poem on the -‘Funérailles de Kosciusko’ (Treuttel & Wurtz: Paris, -1830). Its several editions by no means exhausted -its success; the senate of the republic of Cracow -conferred upon him the Polish citizenship, while the -kings of Bavaria, Prussia, and Saxony complimented -him by autograph letters.</p> - -<p>La Garde was the author of a great number of -songs; and the most renowned composers of the -period competed for the honour of setting them to -music. Many of these romances were dedicated to -Queen Hortense, whose acquaintance he made at -Augsburg in 1819. This led to his collaboration in -‘Loi d’Exil,’ and ‘Partant pour la Syrie’—the latter -of which became the national hymn during the -Second Empire. In 1853, there appeared <cite>L’Album -artistique de la Reine Hortense</cite>, a much prized -collection of the then unpublished songs of the -Comte de La Garde, with their music by the queen,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_xx">xx</a></span> -and charming reproductions of tiny paintings, which -were also her work.<a id="FNanchor_8" href="#Footnote_8" class="fnanchor">8</a></p> - -<p>This was the last time the name of the Comte de -La Garde appeared in print. A short time afterwards -his wandering life came to an end in Paris, -which during the latter years of his life he inhabited -alternately with Angers. He had adopted as his -motto: ‘My life is a battle’; he could have added, -‘and a never-ending journey’; for his constitutional -restlessness prevented him from settling permanently, -no matter where. He never married. The few documents -he left behind, including some momentoes, -represented the whole of his property, and went to -his cousin, M. de La Garde, Marquis de Chambonas.</p> - -<p>In addition to the afore-mentioned works and the -present one, <cite>Recollections of the Congress of Vienna</cite>, -which originally appeared in Paris in 1820 (?), M. de la -Garde was the author of the following: <cite>Une traduction -de Dmitry Donskoy</cite> (Moscow, 1811); <cite>Coup d’œil sur -le Royaume de Pologne</cite> (Varsovie, 1818); <cite>Coup d’œil -sur Alexander-Bad</cite> (Bavière, 1819); <cite>Laure Bourg: -roman dédié au Roi de Bavière</cite> (Munich, 1820); -<cite>Les Monuments grecs de la Sicile</cite> (Munich, 1820); -<cite>Traduction des Mélodies de Thomas Moore</cite> (Londres, -1826); <cite>Voyage dans quelques parties de l’Europe</cite> -(Londres, 1828); <cite>Brighton, Voyage en Angleterre</cite>, -(1830); <cite>Tableau de Bruxelles (prose et vers), dédié -à la Reine</cite>; <cite>Projet pour la formation d’une Colonie -belge à la Nouvelle Zélande</cite>, etc.</p> - -<p>In all those works, and notably in the most important, -namely: <cite>Brighton</cite>, and <cite>Souvenirs du Congrès</cite><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_xxi">xxi</a></span> -<cite>de Vienne</cite>, M. de La Garde shows himself to be -endowed with the faculty of observation and with -tact. Unfortunately his matchless kindliness prevents -his criticisms from departing from the laudatory -gamut.</p> - -<p>We must not look in these <cite>Recollections</cite> for important -revelations concerning the diplomatic conferences -which engaged the attention of the whole -of Europe in 1815; we shall only meet with delightful -anecdotes and portraits of <i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">grandes dames</i> and -illustrious personages. There will be many silhouettes -of figures that have been forgotten since, but which, -while they belonged to this world, were worthy of -notice. To appreciate them we should bring to the -perusal of this volume the quality which presided -at its composition: namely, the kindliness of an -observant man of the world.</p> - -<p>Since their appearance in 1820, these <cite>Recollections</cite> -had been absolutely forgotten. It seemed to us and -to M. le Marquis de Chambonas La Garde, to whom -we owe the principal facts of this notice, that the -chapters were worthy of being resuscitated. Though -we have omitted from these <cite>Recollections</cite> some -dissertations more or less obsolete, which would be -of no interest to-day, we have throughout respected -the style and the ideas of the author; only adding -to his narrative the necessary notes on the principal -personages of the action.</p> - -<p class="p1 sigright larger"> -FLEURY. -</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_1">1</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2><span class="larger">ANECDOTAL RECOLLECTIONS</span></h2> -</div> - -<h2 class="nobreak p2"><a id="INTRODUCTORY"></a>INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER</h2> - -<blockquote class="center"> - -<p>Introduction—A Glance at the Congress—Arrival of the Sovereigns—The -First Night in Vienna.</p></blockquote> - -<p>The Congress of Vienna, considered as a political -gathering, has not lacked historians, but they were -so intent upon recording its phases of high diplomacy -as to have bestowed no thought upon its piquant and -lighter social features.</p> - -<p>No doubt they feared that triviality of detail might -impair the general effect of so imposing a picture, and -they were satisfied with reproducing and judging -results, without caring to retrace the diverse and -animated scenes where these results were obtained. -Nevertheless, it would have been curious to go more -or less deeply into the personal lives of the actors -called upon to settle the future interests of Europe. -At the Vienna Congress, hearts hitherto closed, nay, -wholly inaccessible, to the observation of the outer -world, were often laid open. Amidst the confusion of -all ranks, their most transient movements revealed -themselves, and lent themselves to being watched, -as if taken off their guard in the irresistible whirl of -uninterrupted pleasures.</p> - -<p>Doubtless, at no time of the world’s history had -more grave and complex interests been discussed -amidst so many fêtes. A kingdom was cut into bits -or enlarged at a ball: an indemnity was granted in -the course of a dinner; a constitution was planned<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_2">2</a></span> -during a hunt; now and again a cleverly-placed word -or a happy and pertinent remark cemented a treaty -the conclusion of which, under different circumstances, -would probably have been achieved only with difficulty, -and by dint of many conferences and much -correspondence. Acrimonious discussions and ‘dry-as-dust’ -statements were replaced for the time being, as if -by magic, by the most polite forms in any and every -transaction; and also by the promptitude which is -a still more important form of politeness, unfortunately -too neglected.</p> - -<p>The Congress had assumed the character of a grand -fête in honour of the general pacification. Ostensibly -it was a feast of rest after the storm, but, curiously -enough, it offered a programme providing for life in -its most varied movements. Doubtless, the forgathering -of those sovereigns, ministers, and generals -who for nearly a quarter of a century had been the -actors in a grand drama supposed to have run its -course, besides the pomp and circumstance of the -unique scene itself, showed plainly enough that they -were there to decide the destinies of nations. The -mind, dominated by the gravity of the questions at -issue, could not altogether escape from the serious -thoughts now and again obtruding themselves: but -immediately afterwards the sounds of universal -rejoicing brought a welcome diversion. Everyone -was engrossed with pleasure. The love-passion also -hovered over this assembly of kings, and had the effect -of prolonging a state of abandonment and a neglect -of affairs, both really inconceivable when taken in conjunction -with upheavals the shock of which was still -felt, and immediately before a thunderbolt which was -soon to produce a singular awakening. The people -themselves, apparently forgetting that when their -rulers are at play, the subjects are doomed to pay -in a short time the bills of such royal follies, seemed -to be grateful for foibles that drew their masters -down to their level.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_3">3</a></span> -Meanwhile, the man of Titanic catastrophes is -not far distant. Napoleon steps forth to spread fire -and flame once more; to make an end of all those -dreams, and to invest with a wholly different aspect -those voluptuous scenes, the diversity of which -could not even save their participants from the -weariness of satiety.<a id="FNanchor_9" href="#Footnote_9" class="fnanchor">9</a></p> - -<p>I arrived in Vienna towards the end of September -1814, when the Congress, though it had been -announced for several months, was not yet officially -opened. The fêtes had, however, already commenced. -In the abstract of the proceedings, it had been said -that the conferences would be of very short duration. -Business according to some, pleasure according to -others, and probably both these causes combined, -decided things otherwise. Several weeks, several -months, went by without the question of dissolution -being broached. Negotiating as from brother to -brother, in a manner that would have rejoiced the -heart of Catherine the Great, the sovereigns amicably -and without the least hurry arranged ‘their little -affairs’; they gave one the impression of wishing to -realise the philosophic dream of the Abbé de Saint-Pierre.<a id="FNanchor_10" href="#Footnote_10" class="fnanchor">10</a></p> - -<p>The number of strangers attracted to Vienna by -the Congress was estimated at close upon a hundred -thousand. It ought to be said that for this memorable -gathering no other city would have answered -so well. Vienna is in reality the centre of Europe; -at that time it was its capital. A Viennese who -had happened to leave the city a few months -before would have had some difficulty in identifying -himself and his familiar surroundings amidst that -new, gilded, and titled population which crowded the -place at the time of the Congress. All the sovereigns<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_4">4</a></span> -of the North had come thither; the West and the -East had sent their most notable representatives. The -Emperor Alexander, still young and brilliant; the -Empress Elizabeth, with her winning though somewhat -melancholy grace, and the Grand-Duke -Constantine represented Russia. Behind these were -grouped a mass of ministers, princes, and generals, -especially conspicuous among them the Comtes de -Nesselrode, Capo d’Istria, Pozzo di Borgo, and -Stackelberg, all of whom were marked out from -that hour to play important parts in the political -debates of Europe. These statesmen must be -passed over in silence. I must not be equally -silent with regard to the friends whom I met once -more, and who during my wanderings in Germany, -Poland, and Russia, had entertained me with such -cordial affection. There was Tettenborn, as devoted -and warm-hearted after many years of separation as -if we had never parted; the Comte de Witt, the -Prince Koslowski, both of whom were to die prematurely; -and Alexander Ypsilanti, fervent and -generous as of old, and fated to meet with such a -cruel end in the prisons of Montgatz and of -Theresienstadt.</p> - -<p>The King of Prussia was accompanied by the -Princes Guillaume and Auguste. Baron de Humboldt<a id="FNanchor_11" href="#Footnote_11" class="fnanchor">11</a> -and the Prince d’Hardemberg presided at his -councils. The beautiful queen who in the negotiations -of 1807 employed in vain all her seductive -grace and resources of mind against the will of -Napoleon, was no more.</p> - -<p>The King of Denmark, Frédéric <span class="smcap smaller">VI.</span>, the son of the -ill-fated Caroline Mathilde,<a id="FNanchor_12" href="#Footnote_12" class="fnanchor">12</a> also repaired to the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_5">5</a></span> -Congress, which, luckily for him, he was enabled to -leave without his modest possessions having aroused -the cupidity of this or that ambitious neighbour.</p> - -<p>The Kings of Bavaria and Würtemberg, the Dukes -of Saxe-Coburg, Hesse-Darmstadt, and Hesse-Cassel—in -short, all the heads and princes of the reigning -houses of Germany—were there. They also wished to -take part in the political festival, and were anxious to -know how the supreme tribunal would trim and shape -the borders of their small States.</p> - -<p>The King of Saxony, so ardently worshipped by -his subjects, had at that time retired into Prussia, -while the Allied Armies occupied his kingdom. That -excellent prince, whom Napoleon called ‘le plus -honnête homme qui ait occupé le trône,’<a id="FNanchor_13" href="#Footnote_13" class="fnanchor">13</a> was only -represented at the Congress by his plenipotentiaries.</p> - -<p>The representatives of France were the Duc de -Dalberg, the Comte Alexis de Noailles, M. de la -Tour-du-Pin, and the Prince de Talleyrand. The -last-named maintained his high reputation with great -dignity under difficult circumstances, and perhaps -conspicuous justice has never been done to him. The -English plenipotentiaries were Lords Clancarty and -Stewart, and Viscount Castlereagh.</p> - -<p>Among these notable men it would be ingratitude -on my part not to name the Prince de Ligne, of -whom frequent mention will be made in these -<cite>Recollections</cite>; and the reigning Landgrave of Hesse-Homburg -[1814]. A brave soldier, the latter prince -earned his grade of field-marshal on the battlefield -itself, and moreover proved his talent as a remarkable -administrator by promoting in many ways the -happiness of his subjects.</p> - -<p>The whole of this royal company met in the -capital of Austria with a hospitality worthy of it, -and worthy also of that memorable gathering. The<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_6">6</a></span> -Kings of Würtemberg and Denmark arrived before -any of the others. The Emperor Franz proceeded -as far as Schönbrunn to welcome each of them. The -interview between those princes was exceedingly -cordial, and free from diplomatic reserve; but the -ceremony which by its pomp and splendour was -evidently intended to crown the series of wonders of -the Congress was the solemn entry of Emperor Alexander -and the King of Prussia.</p> - -<p>Numerous detachments of guards of honour had -been posted on the routes these two monarchs were -to traverse. The whole of the garrison was under -arms at the approaches to and within the capital. The -emperor, attended by his grand officers of state, both -military and civil, the archdukes, and other princes -of the blood, proceeded for some distance to meet -his hosts. The meeting took place on the left bank -of the Danube, at the further extremity of the Tabor -bridge. There was an exchange of most affectionate -and apparently most sincere greetings, and the three -rulers held each other’s hands for a long while.</p> - -<p>An immense crowd lined the banks of the stream, -and rent the air with cheers. Undoubtedly it was -a sight as remarkable as it was unheard-of, that -gathering of sovereigns tried by severe misfortune -for twenty years, and who, having vanquished him -who had been for such a long time victorious, seemed -astonished at a triumph so dearly bought, so unexpectedly -obtained.</p> - -<p>The three monarchs, in full-dress uniforms, meanwhile -mounted their horses and rode slowly on amidst -the booming of the artillery. The infinite number of -generals, belonging to all the nations of Europe, riding -behind them, their brilliant costumes glittering in the -sun, the joyous cries of the crowds, the clanging of the -bells of all the steeples, the air resounding with the -firing of the cannon, the sight of that population -frantically hailing the return of peace—in fact, the -whole scene, even the cordial demeanour of those<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_7">7</a></span> -sovereigns, constituted the most imposing and eloquent -spectacle.</p> - -<p>The welcome to the Empress of Russia on the -following day was marked by a ceremonial of a less -grandiose but more graceful nature. The Empress -of Austria, surrounded by the whole of her Court, -went to meet her a long distance out of the capital. -A short time after she started, the two emperors -proceeded in the same direction, and the two processions -joined hands, as it were, close to the church -of Maria-Brunn. An open calèche was in waiting -to convey the empresses; their august husbands took -their seats with them. A detachment of the Hungarian -Guards, another of Uhlans, and a great number of -pages made up the escort. The carriage, on reaching -the outer gates of the court, was met by young girls -dressed in white, offering baskets of flowers. A dense -crowd lined the avenues leading to the palace, and -everybody admired the spontaneous cordiality, the -good-will altogether without etiquette, lighting up the -faces of all those grand personages, so little adapted -to manifestations of equality.</p> - -<p>From that moment Vienna assumed an aspect -which was as bright as it was animated. Numberless -magnificent carriages traversed the city in all directions, -and, in consequence of the restricted size of -the capital, constantly reappeared. Most of them -were preceded by those agile forerunners, in their -brilliant liveries, who are no longer to be seen anywhere -except in Vienna, and who, swinging their -large silver-knobbed canes, seemed to fly in front of -the horses. The promenades and squares teemed with -soldiers of all grades, dressed in the varied uniforms -of all the European armies. Added to these were -the swarms of the servants of the aristocracy in their -gorgeous liveries, and the people crowding at all -points of vantage to catch a momentary glimpse of -the military, sovereign, and diplomatic celebrities constantly -shifting within the permanent frame of the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_8">8</a></span> -varying picture. Then, when night came, the -theatres, the cafés, the public resorts were filled with -animated crowds, apparently bent on pleasure only, -while sumptuous carriages rolled hither and thither, -lighted up by torches borne by footmen perched -behind, or still preceded by runners, who had, however, -exchanged their canes for flambeaux. In almost every -big thoroughfare there was the sound of musical -instruments discoursing joyous tunes. Noise and -bustle everywhere.</p> - -<p>Such, for over five months, was the picture represented -by the city, a picture of which only a poor -idea can be conveyed by my feeble attempts to reproduce -some of its features.</p> - -<p>The immense number of strangers had soon -invaded every available hotel and private lodging. -Many notabilities were obliged to take up their -quarters in the outskirts. Prices ruled exorbitantly -high; in order to judge of this I need only state -that the rent of Lord Castlereagh’s apartments -was £500 per month—an unheard-of price in Vienna. -It was calculated that if the Congress lasted only -four months, the value of many houses would be -paid to their proprietors in rent. I should, perhaps, -have been deprived of witnessing a scene which -only a chain of extraordinary circumstances could -have brought about, and which probably will not -be renewed for many centuries to come; but my -intimate friend, Mr. Julius Griffiths, who had lived in -Vienna for several years, had anticipated my coming, -and in his magnificent residence on the Jaeger-Zeill, -I found all the <em>comfort</em> which he had transported -thither from his own country; both the word and -the condition of things it represented being little -known throughout the rest of Europe.</p> - -<p>Mr. Julius Griffiths, who ranks among the best -educated of Englishmen, has made himself widely -known in the world of letters by works of acknowledged -merit. He has travelled all over the globe,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_9">9</a></span> -and deserves to be proclaimed the greatest traveller -of his time. His social qualities and his lofty -sentiments have conferred the greatest honour on -the English character outside his native country. -His friendship has been for many years the source -of my sweetest happiness. I am enabled to confess -with gratitude that he was instrumental in convincing -me of the mendacity of the precept, ‘not to -try one’s friends if one wishes to keep them.’</p> - -<p>The thing I stood most in need of, after the first -greetings of such a sincere friend, was rest and -quietude; hence, at the moment I did not in the -least resemble the ‘inquisitorial traveller’ mentioned -by Sterne, and I retired to enjoy that rest, most -intensely conscious of the delight of having reached -port. In spite of this, sleep failed to come. Too -many thoughts came crowding in upon me; my -mind was divided between the pleasure of meeting -once more with so dear a friend and others scarcely -less precious to me, and the hope of being a witness -of a scene which hitherto was without a precedent. -Were I possessed of the talent with which Dupaty -has described his ‘Première nuit à Rome,’ I should -endeavour to paint the stirring emotions of this ‘first -night’ in Vienna.</p> - -<p>A volume of Shakespeare lay close at hand; I -opened it at random and read: ‘You who have not -seen those feasts, you have lost the sight of what is -most brilliant of earthly glory. Those perfectly -magnificent scenes surpassed all that the imagination -can invent. Each day outvied the previous one, -each morrow shamed the pomp of its eve. One day -those demi-gods on earth resplendent with precious -stones and silken stuffs; the next the same pomp -more oriental than the orient itself. You should -have seen each world-ruler dazzling like a statue -wrought of gold; and the courtiers resplendent like -their masters; and those dames so delicate and so -slight bend beneath the twofold burden of their<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_10">10</a></span> -pride and their ornaments; those sovereigns, stars -of like magnitude, mingle their rays by their presence. -No calumnious tongue dared wag, no eye -that was not dazzled by those sights. You should -have witnessed also the tournament and the heralds of -arms, and the prowess of chivalry displayed. The old -history of our story-tellers has ceased to be fabulous. -Yes, henceforth I shall believe all that those story-tellers -have told us.’<a id="FNanchor_14" href="#Footnote_14" class="fnanchor">14</a></p> - -<p>Those lines from an immortal poet, I read again -and again; and swayed by those powerful impressions, -I owed to them the conception of noting down -my recollections, convinced that in times to come, -<i>i.e.</i> at a period to which I looked forward courageously, -I should be delighted to refer to them as the sole -food for my thoughts.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_11">11</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2><a id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I</h2> -</div> - -<blockquote> - -<p>The Prince de Ligne—His Wit and his Urbanity—Robinson Crusoe—The -Masked Ball and Rout—Sovereigns in Dominos—The Emperor of -Russia and the Prince Eugène—Kings and Princes—Zibin—General -Tettenborn—A Glance at his Military Career—Grand Military Fête -in Honour of Peace—The Footing of Intimacy of the Sovereigns at -the Congress—The Imperial Palace—Death of Queen Maria Carolina -of Naples—Emperor Alexander—Anecdotes—Sovereign Gifts—Politics -and Diplomacy—The Grand Rout—The Waltz.</p></blockquote> - -<p>Speaking of the Great Wall of China, the famous Dr. -Johnson said somewhere that the grandson of a man -who had caught a mere glimpse of it might still be -proud of the opportunity vouchsafed to his grandsire. -The exaggeration, Oriental like its subject, might -strike me as excusable if the drift of it were applied, -not to a monument capable of standing the test of -ages, but to one of those men who appear at long -intervals, or in connection with events that change -the face of the world. Personally, I may confess to -remaining more or less proud of my presence at the -Congress of Vienna, and of having been privileged to -see the many celebrities that forgathered there. But -the most gratifying recollection, and also the one -dearest to my heart, is that of the goodwill incessantly -shown to me by the Prince de Ligne. For over two -months I had the happiness of being admitted to his -greatest intimacy, seeing him every day and at all -hours, gathering from his lips the clever sentences -and spontaneous sallies which he so lavishly dispensed. -To-day, after many years, the indelible impression of -his personality tends to reanimate my recollections, -and lends life to the scenes I am endeavouring to -reproduce.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_12">12</a></span> -The Prince de Ligne<a id="FNanchor_15" href="#Footnote_15" class="fnanchor">15</a> was then in his eightieth -year; in spite of this there is no exaggeration in -saying that he had remained young. He had preserved -the amiable character and the fascinating -urbanity which had lent so much charm to his -society. Hence the title of ‘the last of French -knights’ was unanimously accorded to him.</p> - -<p>At that period all the strangers, whether most -celebrated in virtue of their rank or of their mental -qualities, nay, the sovereigns themselves, made it a -point, as it were, to show their reverence for him. -He was still possessed of that freshness of imagination -and inexhaustible, exquisite gaiety which had -always distinguished him. His humour, kindly -withal, though somewhat satirical, was principally -directed at the really strange aspect the Congress -began to assume, pleasure being seemingly the most -important business. Amidst this general intoxication, -amidst this uninterrupted series of entertainments, -banquets, and balls, it was certainly not the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_13">13</a></span> -least curious and interesting contrast to behold the -imposing figure of the old marshal, occupying no -official position, yet eagerly welcomed everywhere, -and often painting the situation by an epigram, by -a clever and pertinent remark, which went the round -in no time.</p> - -<p>The French were above all most eager for his -society, and, in their turn, could reckon on the most -cordial welcome. His journey to the French Court -a few years previous to the Revolution had left the -most heartfelt recollections; and his letters to the -Marquise de Coigny<a id="FNanchor_16" href="#Footnote_16" class="fnanchor">16</a> at that period show in every -line his regret at being compelled to live away from -a country and a people that had inspired him with -such an ardent sympathy. In a word, the Prince -de Ligne belonged to France both by the nature of -his worth and by the quality of his mind.</p> - -<p>My family having the honour of being allied to -that of the Prince, he presented me on my first visit -to Vienna in 1807 at the Court and everywhere as -his cousin. From that moment until his death, his -courtesy and goodwill never failed me at any succeeding -visit. I was never tired of listening to him, -and especially when his thoughts reverted to bygone -times, which he had so long and so closely observed. -He took delight in improving my mind with the treasures -of his own, and in enlightening my youthful -inexperience with the counsels and fruits of his own -observation. Hence, to speak of the Prince de Ligne -is simply, on my part, the acquittal of a debt. As a -matter of course, my first call was due to him, and -on the morrow of my arrival I made my way to his -home.</p> - -<p>‘You are just in time to see great doings,’ he said.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_14">14</a></span> -‘The whole of Europe is in Vienna. The tissue of -politics is embroidered with fêtes, and inasmuch as -at your age one is fond of joyous gatherings, balls, -and pleasure, I can assure you beforehand of a series -of them, because the Congress does not march to its -goal; it dances. It is a royal mob. From all sides -there are cries of peace, justice, equilibrium, indemnity; -the last word being the new contribution of the Prince -de Bénévent to the diplomatic vocabulary. Heaven -alone knows who shall reduce this chaos to some -semblance of order, and provide dams for the torrent -of various pretensions. As for me, I am only a -well-meaning and friendly spectator of the show. I -shall claim nothing, unless it be a hat to replace the -one I am wearing out in saluting the sovereigns I -meet at every street-corner. Nevertheless, in spite of -Robinson Crusoe,<a id="FNanchor_17" href="#Footnote_17" class="fnanchor">17</a> a general and lasting peace will -no doubt be concluded, for a feeling of concord has at -length united the nations which were so long inimical -towards each other. Their most illustrious representatives -are already setting the example of it. We -shall witness a thing hitherto unheard of: pleasure -will bring in its wake peace, instead of strife.’</p> - -<p>After this, he started asking me, with all the impetuosity -of youth, a series of questions with reference -to Paris, my travels, and my own plans, until -he was interrupted by his servant informing him that -his carriage was at the door.</p> - -<p>‘You’ll come and dine with me to-morrow,’ he -said; ‘and then we’ll go to the grand rout and ball. -You’ll see the most practical common-sense of Europe -wearing the motley of folly. When there I’ll explain -to you in a few moments the curiosities of that grand -piece of living tapestry composed of the most notable -personages.’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_15">15</a></span> -The prince had kept to his habit of dining early: -it was four o’clock when I reached his pretty house -on the Bastion. It contained but one room on each -story, hence he called it jocularly his ‘perch.’ His -friends knew it by the name of ‘L’hôtel de Ligne.’ -Shortly after my arrival he sat down to dinner, -surrounded by his charming family.<a id="FNanchor_18" href="#Footnote_18" class="fnanchor">18</a> Candidly -speaking, the repast, like the well-known suppers of -Madame de Maintenon, when she was still Widow -Scarron, stood in need of the magic of his conversation -to make up for its more than scanty fare. And -although he himself ate nearly all the little dishes -that were served, his guests were so thoroughly engrossed -and delighted as to be rendered oblivious of -the unsubstantial nature of the entertainment—until -the end of it.</p> - -<p>In the drawing-room we found some visitors; they -were strangers of distinction, who, called to Vienna -from every coign and nook of Europe, had craved an -introduction to this living marvel of the previous -century. Their number also contained several ‘lion-hunters,’ -obtruding their presence from sheer curiosity, -and for the sake of being enabled to say: ‘I have seen -the Prince de Ligne,’ or else for the purpose of ‘rubbing -minds with him,’ by carefully picking up his -anecdotes and his sallies, which they afterwards -hawked about, considerably disfigured, among their -own sets.</p> - -<p>Having quickly paid his voluntary toll in the shape -of some witty or polite remark to each of those groups, -he left them, as if his task had been fulfilled, and -came up to his grandson, the Comte de Clary, with -whom I happened to be chatting. ‘I remember,’ he -said, ‘having begun one of my letters to Jean-Jacques -Rousseau with a—“As you do not care, Monsieur,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_16">16</a></span> -either for demonstrative people or for demonstrations....” -A few notes couched in similar terms would -not be out of place among some of the notable people -here this evening; but they are so inflated with their -own merit as to be unable to decipher their own -addresses. And as, moreover, they are most obstinate -and difficult to shake off, let us go and have a look at -others where there will be a little more elbow-room. -The ball is waiting for us. Come along, my lads, I’ll -give you a lesson in taking your leave in French -fashion.’ And this man, extraordinary in every relation -of life, flitting away with the light step of a mere youth, -suited the action to the word and positively ran to -his carriage, laughing all the while at the boyish trick -and at the disappointment of all those insipid talkers -who merely courted his society to make him listen to -their vapid utterances. It was nine o’clock when we -reached the imperial palace, better known as the -Hofburg.</p> - -<p>That ancient residence had been specially chosen -for those ingenious <i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">momons</i>, character-masques in -which the incognito of the domino often lent itself to -political combinations in themselves masterpieces of -intrigue and conception. The principal hall was -magnificently lighted up, and running around it, -there was a circular gallery giving access to huge -rooms arranged for supper. On seats, disposed like -an amphitheatre, there were crowds of ladies, some of -whom merely wore dominos, while the majority represented -this or that character. It would be difficult -to imagine a scene more dazzling than this gathering -of women, all young and beautiful, and each attired -in a style most becoming to her beauty. All the -centuries of the past, all the regions of the inhabited -globe seemed to have appointed to meet in that -graceful circle.</p> - -<p>Several orchestras executed at regular intervals -valses and polonaises: in adjoining galleries or rooms -minuets were danced with particularly Teutonic<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_17">17</a></span> -gravity, which feature did not constitute the least -comic part of the picture.</p> - -<p>The prince had spoken the truth. Vienna at that -time presented an abridged panorama of Europe, and -the rout was an abridged panorama of Vienna. There -could be no more curious spectacle than those masked or -non-masked people, among whom, absolutely lost in the -crowd, and practically defying identification, circulated -all the sovereigns at that moment participating in the -Congress.</p> - -<p>The prince had a story or anecdote about each. -‘There goes Emperor Alexander. The man on whose -arm he is leaning is Prince Eugène Beauharnais, for -whom he has a sincere affection. When Eugène -arrived here with his father-in-law, the King of -Bavaria, the Court hesitated about the rank to be -accorded to him. The emperor spoke so positively -on the subject as to secure for Eugène all the honours -due to his generous character. Alexander, as you are -aware, is worthy of inspiring and of extending the -deepest friendship.</p> - -<p>‘Do you know the tall and noble-looking personage -whom that beautiful Neapolitan girl is holding round -the waist? It is the King of Prussia, whose gravity -appears in no wise disturbed by the fact. For all -that the clever mask may be an empress, on the other -hand it is quite on the cards that she is merely a -grisette who has been smuggled in.</p> - -<p>‘That colossus in the black domino, which neither -disguises nor decreases his stature, is the King of -Würtemberg.<a id="FNanchor_19" href="#Footnote_19" class="fnanchor">19</a> The man close to him is his son, the -Crown Prince. His love for the Duchesse d’Oldenbourg, -Emperor Alexander’s sister, is the cause of his<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_18">18</a></span> -stay at the Congress, rather than a concern for the -grave interests which one day will be his. It is a -romantic story, the <i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">dénouement</i> of which we may -witness before long.</p> - -<p>‘The two young fellows who just brushed past us -are the Crown Prince of Bavaria and his brother, -Prince Charles.<a id="FNanchor_20" href="#Footnote_20" class="fnanchor">20</a> The latter’s face would dispute the -palm with that of Antinous. The crowd of people of -different kind and garb who are disporting themselves, -in every sense of the word, are, some, reigning princes, -others archdukes, others again grand dignitaries of -this or that empire. For, except a few Englishmen, -easily picked out by their careful dress, I do not think -there is a single personage here without a “handle” -to his name.</p> - -<p>‘This room in particular only represents a picture -of pleasure, my dear boy....’</p> - -<p>The moment the prince left me to myself I began -to wander about, and if I had made a series of -appointments, I could not have met with more -acquaintances hailing from Naples to St. Petersburg, -and from Stockholm to Constantinople. The variety -of costume and languages was truly astonishing. It -was like a bazaar of all the nations of the world. -Honestly, I felt that for the first time in my life I -was experiencing the intoxication of a masked ball. -My brain seemed to reel under the spell of the -incessant music, the secrecy of disguise, the atmosphere -of mystery by which it was surrounded, the -general state of incognito, the uncurbed and boundless -gaiety, the force of circumstances, and the irresistible -seductiveness of the picture before me. I feel certain -that older and stronger heads than mine would have -proved equally weak.</p> - -<p>In a short time I had quite a group of friends -around me.</p> - -<p>Taking advantage of a moment when the Prince de -Ligne was less hemmed in, I begged of him not to<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_19">19</a></span> -worry about me for that evening, and flung myself -headlong into the whirl of gaiety, freedom from care, -and happiness, which seemed the normal condition of -this extraordinary gathering.</p> - -<p>By and by I met with more friends, and between -us we ‘improved the shining hours’ preceding the -supper, when we sat down, about a score in all, to -wind up the joyous evening. As a matter of course, -during the first part of the repast I was plied with -questions about my doings since we had met, and I -was scarcely less eager to question the questioners. -This or that one from whom I parted as a sub-lieutenant -had become a general; another who was -an attaché when last I saw him was now himself -ambassador, and the majority were covered with -orders, conferred for their courage or their talent. And -amidst the general animation produced by the champagne, -they took to recounting, ‘harum-scarum’ -fashion, the happy circumstances to which they owed -their rapid promotion.</p> - -<p>Among those rapid and brilliant careers there was, -however, none that caused me greater surprise than -that of Zibin. In 1812, when, yielding to a desire -for travel, I quitted Moscow to visit the Crimea, -Ukraine, and Turkey,<a id="FNanchor_21" href="#Footnote_21" class="fnanchor">21</a> Zibin had been my companion. -In that long course across the steppes of Russia, his -constant gaiety and his clever sallies did much to -beguile the tedium of the journey, and to revive my -courage. Eighteen months had scarcely gone by -since our return from Tauris and our parting at -Tulczim, he to follow Countess Potocka to St. Petersburg, -I to make my way to the Duc de Richelieu at -Odessa, and thence to Constantinople. At that period, -Zibin had not joined the army; in spite of this, he -was now a lieutenant-colonel, aide-de-camp to -General Ojarowski, and on his breast glittered several -orders.</p> - -<p>Zibin had not been in St. Petersburg many days<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_20">20</a></span> -without becoming aware that an idle life in society -would not be conducive either to consideration or -glory; hence, he changed his civilian clothes for the -uniform of a non-commissioned officer of hussars. At -the beginning of the campaign he was made an -ensign; a short time afterwards he got his company. -One day, his general commanded him to make a -reconnaissance with fifty Cossacks in order to bring -back some malingerers. At a couple of miles distance -from the encampment, Zibin notices a black mass -hidden among the reeds. They turn out to be -guns left by the enemy before retreating. There were -sixteen of them. The troops dismount, the horses are -put to the gun-carriages, and a few hours later Captain -Zibin returns in possession of a small but complete -artillery park, practically fished out of the marshes.</p> - -<p>The Emperor was not far away, and Zibin himself -was instructed to convey the particulars of his capture. -Alexander read the report, and, giving the young -hussar the credit of a success solely due to chance, -conferred upon him there and then the rank of major, -at the same time taking from his own breast the -Cross of St. George and fastening it into the buttonhole -of the freshly promoted officer. The rest was -mainly the natural consequence of this first piece of -luck: new orders were added to that one, and as it -never rains but it pours, Zibin, during the many -leisure hours in camp, had gambled, and won not less -than four hundred thousand roubles. The Prince de -Ligne was not far wrong in saying that glory was -a courtesan who gets hold of you when you least -expect it.</p> - -<p>Towards the end of the evening another lucky -chance made me run up against my excellent friend, -General Tettenborn. ‘We have got a good deal to -tell each other,’ he said. ‘It’s of no use starting -here. Let us go and dine to-morrow by ourselves at -the Augarten; it is the only means of not being -interrupted.’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_21">21</a></span> -Naturally, I accepted, and Tettenborn was punctual -to the minute.</p> - -<p>‘Though as a rule, the Viennese restaurateurs do -not give you a good dinner,’ he began, ‘I happen to have -been in their good books here for many years, and Yan -has promised to do his best.’ And in fact, quantity -made up for quality. When we got to the dessert, -and some Tokay was put before us, my friend at once -began his interesting story.</p> - -<p>‘Since I saw you last, the events of my life have -followed each other in as quick a succession as the -circumstances that gave them birth. You are aware -of my having accompanied Prince Schwartzenberg -on his mission to Paris. I was still there when the -King of Rome was born, and I was selected to carry -the news to our emperor.’</p> - -<p>‘Yes,’ I replied, ‘and I read in all the newspapers -that you made that journey of three hundred and -twenty leagues [about nine hundred and sixty -miles] in four days and a half.’</p> - -<p>‘That’s easily explained. As far as Strasburg, I -had the race-horses of the prince, and from the -Austrian frontier I had the horses of his brother, -Prince Joseph, from stage to stage, as far as Vienna.</p> - -<p>‘I’ll spare you the particulars of my stay in Paris. -It was a perfect whirl of excitement from beginning -to end. Society was the brilliant reflex of the -astounding prosperity of France, of her numerous -victories, and her enthusiasm for everything pertaining -to art. Our Austrian legation met with a -specially cordial welcome. It was a succession -of entertainments similar to those you are seeing -here, but with different capitals for their <i>locale</i>. -After having accompanied Prince Schwartzenberg -a second time, but on that occasion to St. Petersburg, -I exchanged the delightful life of society and drawing-rooms -for that of the barracks of my regiment, then -quartered at Buda. The transition could not have -been more startling if I had retired into a Trappist<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_22">22</a></span> -monastery, when suddenly the whole of Europe -breathed fire and flame.</p> - -<p>‘I was thirty-four years old, and although the first -days of my youth were not idly spent, chance has -done more for me during the latter period than I had -reason to expect. My mind was soon made up. I -decided to go to the spot where the fire raged most -fiercely, to embark upon a life so entirely at variance -with my former habits. I was living with Baron -de ——, a friend of my childhood, who was a major in -my regiment, and who like myself was calculating the -few chances of rapid promotion in the Austrian service.</p> - -<p>‘“This,” I said to him one morning, “is a unique -opportunity to provide for the future. Let us go to -the Russians and offer them our swords as partisans. -This bids fair to be an easy and lucrative campaign, -likely to lead to many things by its quickly succeeding -phases. Besides, it is sometimes sweet to embark -in adventures, and to trust everything to fate. As -for me, I have made up my mind to go. Will you, -too, come?”<a id="FNanchor_22" href="#Footnote_22" class="fnanchor">22</a></p> - -<p>‘The decision of a moment in one’s life often -shapes the rest of it. My friend hesitated and left -me to go alone. Alas, his regrets proved too much -for him.’<a id="FNanchor_23" href="#Footnote_23" class="fnanchor">23</a></p> - -<p>‘Yes,’ I replied, ‘I know he regretted it. The -regret was intensified by the news of your success,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_23">23</a></span> -which the papers published in all its detail. He -practically lost his head over it, for on no other -theory can one account for his suicide, which, curiously -enough, happened while I was at Pesth, on my return -from Constantinople. He blew out his brains in a -room next to my own at the inn where I was staying, -and I was told that despair and tardy regret had led -him to commit the deed.’</p> - -<p>‘No one has regretted this more than I,’ said -Tettenborn, ‘for he was a devoted friend as well as a -distinguished officer. I have not the least doubt that -circumstances would have served him as well as they -did me, but one must go with the tide in order that -the tide may carry you. When I reached the Russian -headquarters, I received orders to raise a regiment. -That was soon done, and they gave me the command -of it. Three months after I left Buda, I was a general, -and empowered to grant commissions equal in grade -to that which I held when I turned my back upon my -garrison. The papers, perhaps, informed you how I -got hold of the private chest of Napoleon. A part of -that immense loot came to my share. An attempt to -take Berlin by surprise, though it failed, brought my -name to the front. At the head of four regiments -of cavalry, of two squadrons of hussars, and of an -equal number of dragoons, with only two pieces -of artillery, I marched on Hamburg. After several -engagements, the city surrendered on the 18th March -1813. The inhabitants received me with the greatest -enthusiasm, and I was, as others had been before -me, the hero of the hour. When appointed military -governor of the place, I rescinded the severe orders -Marshal Davoust had deemed fit to impose. The -grateful Hamburgers conferred upon me the freedom -of their city, and sent me the document to that -effect in a magnificent golden casket.</p> - -<p>‘Events have marched very rapidly, and by their -side strode glory and rewards. I have had most of -the military orders bestowed upon me, and now the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_24">24</a></span> -allied sovereigns have still further shown their good-will -by presenting me with an estate consisting of two -convents in Westphalia, the rent-roll of which will -certainly amount to no less than forty thousand florins. -Those various bits of success have had the happy result -of reducing my affairs to something like order; and, -inasmuch as there comes in every man’s life a period -for settling down, I, my friend, am going to get -married. I simply worship my future wife. There -are no regrets about the past, there is no fear about -the future, and as far as I can foresee, I’ll let fate -take care henceforth of my existence. And albeit -the <i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">dénouement</i> may appear somewhat abrupt to -you, you will admit, I feel certain, that the story -promises to be none the less happy.’</p> - -<p>‘At which happiness, my dear general, all your -friends will rejoice.’</p> - -<p>The narrative, which I have abridged here, was, -however, recounted at much greater length, and in -yielding to the fascination of this cordial and confidential -talk we had let the time slip by, and the -clock struck nine when we reached the Carlenthor -theatre. The performance consisted of Haydn’s -celebrated oratorio ‘The Creation.’ The house, lighted -up by countless wax candles, and the private boxes -sumptuously draped, presented a magnificent sight. -Several of these boxes had been set apart for the -sovereigns, others were filled with the members -of the Corps Diplomatique. As for the floor of the -house (<i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">le parterre</i>), it was crowded to such an extent -with people blazing with orders that it might safely -have been described as a parterre of knights, just -as the floor of the theatre at Erfurt had been called a -parterre of kings and princes. ‘In the presence of such -a number of ribands,’ said Tettenborn, ‘it would be -hazardous to conclude that they are all due to merit.’</p> - -<p>‘Signal distinctions, my dear general,’ I replied, -‘are like the Pyramids; only two species can attain -them, reptiles and eagles.’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_25">25</a></span> -‘I’ll be with you to-morrow at ten,’ said General -Tettenborn when we parted, ‘and we’ll go together -to the grand military fête in honour of the peace. -Before laying down their arms, the sovereigns wish -to offer their thanks to Providence for the great -favours vouchsafed to them.’</p> - -<p>Sharp to the minute, like an Austrian <i xml:lang="de" lang="de">Rittmeister</i> -(cavalry-captain), Tettenborn was at my door. It -was a bright and mild October morning, and shortly -afterwards we were galloping towards the gentle -slope between the New and the Burg Gates. On our -way we fell in with some acquaintances, attracted -thither, like myself, by curiosity. Tettenborn wore -his general’s brilliant uniform; a profusion of military -orders on his breast certainly attested the kindness -of Dame Fortune, but also her discrimination in -having favoured him. Immediately on our reaching -the ground, he was obliged to leave us in order to -join the suite of Emperor Alexander, but I remained -surrounded by friends, and advantageously placed to -observe all the particulars of that beautiful function. -Although in an essentially military epoch similar -solemnities had often been seen, I doubt if that -one was ever equalled with regard to its <i>ensemble</i> -and its majestic pomp. The war, the terrible -struggle the relentlessness and duration of which had -astounded the world, was just at an end. The glory-compelling -giant was, if not vanquished, at any rate -overcome by numbers; and the intoxication and the -enthusiasm consequent upon the success were sufficient -to prove the strength of the adversary and the -unexpected joy of the triumph.</p> - -<p>Several battalions of infantry, many regiments -of cavalry, among others the Schwartzenberg -Uhlans, and the cuirassiers of the Grand-Duke -Constantine, the brother of Alexander and the sometime -Viceroy of Poland, were massed on an immense -field. All these troops wore most brilliant -uniforms.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_26">26</a></span> -The sovereigns came on the ground on horseback, -and the soldiery formed a huge double square, in -the centre of which stood a vast tent, or rather a -temple erected in honour of the general pacification. -The columns supporting the structure were decorated -with panoplies of arms, and with standards fluttering -in the breeze. The lawn immediately around was -strewn with flowers and foliage. In the middle -of the tent there was an altar covered with rich -cloths, and set out with all the ornaments of the -Roman Catholic ritual, magnificently chased, either -in gold or silver. Countless wax tapers shed their -light, somewhat subdued by the rays of the sun -standing brilliantly in the sky. Red Damascus carpets -covered the steps of the altar.</p> - -<p>Shortly afterwards there was a long string of open -court carriages, each drawn by four horses, and containing -the empresses, queens, and archduchesses, -who on alighting seated themselves in velvet-covered -chairs. When everybody had taken up the position -assigned to them—the crowd of military, courtiers, -equerries and pages constituting a matchless spectacle—the -venerable Archbishop of Vienna, who, notwithstanding -his great age, had insisted upon officiating, -performed High Mass. Practically the whole of the -Vienna population had repaired to the spot to enjoy -the spectacle.</p> - -<p>At the moment of blessing the Bread and the Wine, -the guns thundered forth a salute to the God of -Hosts. Simultaneously, all those warriors, princes, -kings, soldiers, and generals fell on their knees, -prostrating themselves before Him in whose hands -rests victory or defeat. The feeling of reverence -had evidently communicated itself to the huge -mass of spectators, who spontaneously bared their -heads and also knelt in the dust. The cannons -became once more silent, and their thunder was -succeeded by a solemn hush, amidst which the -high priest of the Lord raised the sign of the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_27">27</a></span> -Redemption, and turned towards the army to confer -the supreme benediction. The religious ceremony -was at an end. Amidst the clanking of swords and -the rattling of muskets, the huge gathering rose to -its feet; and then a choir intoned in German the -hymn of peace, which was accompanied by an -orchestra of wind instruments. Without any pre-meditation -the strains were taken up by the voices -of the numberless spectators. No human ear ever -heard anything more imposing than this spontaneous -and harmonic praise of peace and the glory of the -Highest. That hymn of gratitude and adoration -rising upon the air amidst the smoking incense, -the thunder of the artillery, the ringing of the -bells of all the churches; the princes surrounded -by their resplendent staffs, the multi-coloured uniforms, -the arms, glittering breastplates, and sombre -bronze of the cannons lighted up by the brilliant -sun; the white-haired priest blessing from before -his altar the prostrate crowd; the mingling of -the symbols of war and peace—constituted a -unique picture not likely to be seen again, and -which no painter’s brush, however powerful, could -adequately reproduce. It constituted a poetical -and sublime sight, baffling description.</p> - -<p>After the religious ceremony, the sovereigns and -all the princesses took up a position on a knoll near -the Burg Gate, the troops marched past, the Grand-Duke -Constantine and the other princes at the head -of their own regiments. The air rang; with unanimous -cheers and wishes for the consolidation of peace, that -first and foremost necessity of peoples. Such, sketched -in brief, was the fête invested with a particular character -and fitting in so well with the series of magnificent -pageants and dazzling entertainments. The Austrian -Court, in fact, dispensed the hospitality of its capital -to its guests with truly fabulous pomp. Memory -almost fails to recall, for the purpose of recording, -all the brilliant details. The imagination is virtually<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_28">28</a></span> -powerless to reconstruct the dazzling splendour of -the picture as a whole.</p> - -<p>To beguile the leisure of those kings who, it would -be thought, ought to have been surfeited with the -counterfeits of battles, twenty thousand picked grenadiers -had been quartered at Vienna. There was, moreover, -the announcement of a camp to be formed of -sixty thousand troops with a view of having grand -manœuvres. The superb ‘nobiliary guards’ had been -considerably increased by the joining of young men -belonging to the most distinguished families of the -monarchy. The whole of the troops had been provided -with new uniforms: there was an evident -desire to remove all traces of warfare, so as not -to sadden those participating in the feasts and entertainments -exclusively designed to celebrate peace -and to promote pleasure.</p> - -<p>All the stud farms of Germany had been requested -to send their most magnificent horses. The grand -dignitaries of the crown held ‘open house’ each day -for the eminent personages of the suites of the -various sovereigns. The Court had invited the -Paris Opera dancers of both sexes to come to -Vienna; and the Austrian Imperial Company had -also been reinforced. The most celebrated actors of -Germany had likewise been ‘commanded,’ and they -appeared in new pieces, appropriate to the universal -rejoicing, and calculated to prevent that joy from -getting fagged.</p> - -<p>Emperor Franz had thrown open his palace to -his illustrious guests. At a rough calculation, the -imperial residence held, at that particular moment, -two emperors, a similar number of empresses, four -kings, one queen, two heirs to thrones (one royal, -the other imperial), two grand-duchesses, and three -princes. The young family of the emperor had to -be relegated to Schönbrunn. Attracted by the -novelty of all this, an immense crowd surrounded -the palace at all hours, eager to catch a glimpse of<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_29">29</a></span> -the members of a gathering unique in the annals -of history.</p> - -<p>The Viennese seemed justly proud of having had -their city selected for the holding of these grandiose -states-general. In fact, the forgathering in the -self-same capital of the first powers of Europe -constituted one of the most extraordinary events -of all the ages. The Congresses of Münster, of -Ryswick, and Utrecht had only been plenipotentiary -conferences. One had to go back for three centuries, -as far as 1515, to find a similar assembly of -crowned heads, when in that same city of Vienna -Maximilian had entertained the Kings of Hungary, -Bohemia, and Poland. And it was remembered that -the presence of these monarchs had been attended -with the most salutary results to the grandeur of -Germany.</p> - -<p>In order to convey an idea of the expenses of the -Austrian Court, it will suffice to say that the imperial -table cost fifty thousand florins per day. This was -keeping ‘open table’ with a vengeance. Hence, it -is not surprising that the extraordinary expenses of -the fêtes of the Congress, during the five months of -its duration, amounted to forty millions of francs. -It remains to be asked whether the purport of that -great gathering, and the gravity of the circumstances, -justified such joyous lavishness immediately after the -termination of a war which had lasted for a quarter of -a century and which seemed to have dried up the -sources of wealth and of pleasure?</p> - -<p>If we add to the expenses of the Court those of -more than seven hundred envoys, we may get something -like an accurate idea of the extraordinary -consumption of all things in Vienna, and of the -immense quantity of money put into circulation. -In fact, the influx of strangers was such as to increase -the prices of all commodities, and especially -of wood for fuel, to an incredible degree. As -a consequence, the Austrian Government was<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_30">30</a></span> -obliged to grant supplementary salaries to all its -employés.</p> - -<p>In the long run, the imagination was at fault in -projecting new entertainments for each day: banquets, -concerts, shooting parties, masked balls and musical -rides. Following the example of the head of their -noble family, the princes of the House of Austria had -distributed among themselves the various parts of -hosts, in order to entertain their company of illustrious -guests with becoming pomp and dignity. There -was such a dread of an interruption of those pleasures -as to prevent the Court from going into mourning -for Queen Maria-Caroline of Naples.<a id="FNanchor_24" href="#Footnote_24" class="fnanchor">24</a> It should be -said, though, that this last daughter of Maria-Theresa -ended her life before the arrival of the sovereigns. -To save appearances, they avoided notifying her -demise officially, lest the sombre hues of mourning -should cast a sad note on gatherings devoted exclusively -to joy and freedom from care.</p> - -<p>The intercourse of the sovereigns was marked by -a condition of unparalleled intimacy. They vied -in showing reciprocal friendliness, attentions, and -in anticipating each other’s wishes. Not a day -went by without interviews conducted with a -cordial frankness worthy of the age of chivalry. -Were they bent upon disproving all that had been -said about the want of mutual understanding, the -ambitious views, the motives of personal interest -which generally distinguish a congress of crowned -heads? Or did they yield to the novelty and charm -of a mode of living and a feeling of brotherhood -contrasting so forcibly with the frigid etiquette of -their Courts?</p> - -<p>In order to avoid the restraint of a rigorous ceremonial<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_31">31</a></span> -and of questions of precedence, it had been -arranged between them that age alone should decide -points of priority in everything, at their entering and -leaving apartments, at the promenades on horseback, -and in their carriage drives. The decision, it was -said, was due to the initiative of Emperor Alexander. -The following are the ranks as they were settled -according to <span class="locked">age:—</span></p> - -<p class="in0 in4 intact"> -1. The King of Würtemberg, born in 1754.<br /> -2. The King of Bavaria, born in 1756.<br /> -3. The King of Denmark, born in 1768.<br /> -4. The Emperor of Austria, born in 1768.<br /> -5. The King of Prussia, born in 1770.<br /> -6. The Emperor of Russia, born in 1777. -</p> - -<p>This precedence was, however, only observed in -the pleasure parties. As for the official deliberations -of the Congress, the sovereigns did not attend -any.</p> - -<p>One of their first acts of courtesy was the reciprocal -bestowal of the badges and stars of their Orders. Those -various decorations of all shapes and denominations -became a positive puzzle, for besides a long list of -the saints of the calendar, there were some of the -strangest names, like <i>the Elephant</i>, <i>the Phœnix</i>, <i>the -Black, Red, and White Eagles</i>, <i>the Sword</i>, <i>the Star</i>, -<i>the Lion</i>, <i>the Fleece</i>, <i>the Bath</i>, etc. This exchange -was the prelude to others somewhat more important, -such as the presents of kingdoms, provinces, or a -certain number of inhabitants. One of the ceremonies -of that kind most frequently referred to was the investment -by Lord Castlereagh, on behalf of his sovereign, -of the Emperor of Austria with the Order of the -Garter. The Prince de Ligne, who was one of the -eyewitnesses, told me that this solemnity was conducted -with much pomp and circumstance. Sir -Isaac Heard, Garter Principal King of Arms, came -expressly from London. It was he who invested -the Emperor with the dress of the Order, and -attached that much coveted insignia; after which<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_32">32</a></span> -Lord Castlereagh presented the latest recipient with -the statutes of the Order. As a fit acknowledgment -of the courtesy, the Emperor conferred on the Prince -Regent and the Duke of York, his brother, the rank -of field-marshal.</p> - -<p>After having exhausted the series of their decorations, -the sovereigns began bestowing upon each -other the colonelcies of the various regiments of their -armies. When the honour had been bestowed, the -recipient made it a point of appearing almost immediately -in the uniform of his regiment. Models -were produced in hot haste, for it was essential that -not a button should be wanting. Tailors, escorted by -favourite aides-de-camp, immediately reconnoitred -the ground, called upon the possessors of those precious -regimentals, and took note of the minutest -details in connection with them; after which the -work commenced—a pacific labour, notwithstanding -its bellicose appearance, to be terminated by the production -of a complete dress from the spur of the boot -to the obligatory plume of feathers.</p> - -<p>In accordance with these prescriptions, the Emperor -of Austria conferred upon his ‘good brother’ the -Emperor of Russia, the Hiller Regiment, and upon the -Crown Prince of Würtemberg that of the Blankenstein -Hussars. Alexander returned the compliment by the -bestowal of one of his regiments of the Russian Imperial -Guards; and to show the importance he attached -to the gift he had received, he desired personally to -present his new soldiers with their standard. This -standard had been magnificently embroidered by the -Empress of Austria. It displayed the words: ‘Indissoluble -Union between the Emperors Alexander and -Franz.’ The regiment was drawn up in battle order -on one of the lawns of the Prater; a great crowd had -gathered to witness the ceremony, and Alexander, -after receiving the colour from the hands of the -Empress of Austria, advanced towards the troops and -presented it. ‘Soldiers,’ he said, ‘remember that it<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_33">33</a></span> -is your duty to die in defence of this and in defence -of your Emperor and of your colonel, Alexander of -Russia.’ It will be easily understood that words -like these from the lips of the Czar, who at that -period was as handsome as he was chivalrous, were -calculated to arouse the enthusiasm of the soldiers -to whom they were addressed and of the numerous -spectators privileged to listen to them.</p> - -<p>On the morning after this ceremony Alexander -went on foot to Field-Marshal Prince de Schwartzenberg’s, -dressed in his new regimentals, the only decoration -on his breast being the metal cross of the Military -Order of the Austrian Army. To please General -Hiller, his new titular chief, he made him a present -of ten thousand florins, and in addition sent a thousand -florins to each of his officers.</p> - -<p>The habits of the sovereigns were those of private -individuals. It was evident that they were only too -pleased to shake off the burden of etiquette. Very -often the Emperor of Austria and the King of Prussia -were to be seen strolling about the streets arm-in-arm -and dressed in mufti. Emperor Alexander similarly -often took walks with Prince Eugène.</p> - -<p>They paid each other visits and prepared surprises -for one another like cordial friends of old standing; -in a word, royal good-fellowship reigned throughout. -On Emperor Franz’s fête-day<a id="FNanchor_25" href="#Footnote_25" class="fnanchor">25</a> Emperor Alexander -and the King of Prussia bethought themselves of -surprising him as he left his bed, and made him a -present, the one of a dressing-gown lined with Russian -sable, the other of a handsome silver basin and ewer -of exquisite workmanship and made in Berlin. The -accounts of those cordially intimate scenes found their -way to the public and formed the subject of general -conversation.</p> - -<p>Foremost among those sovereigns shone the King -of Bavaria, the King of Denmark, and the Emperor<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_34">34</a></span> -of Russia: the first in virtue of his kindness, the -second in virtue of his brilliant and subtle repartees, -the third in virtue of his courtesy and affable manners. -Of all the foreign princes, Frederick<a id="FNanchor_26" href="#Footnote_26" class="fnanchor">26</a> was the most -assiduous visitor to the monuments and public institutions -of the capital; and wherever he went, he left -traces of his liberality. As for Alexander, he never -missed an opportunity of showing the delightful grace -of manner which at that time won all hearts.</p> - -<p>During a promenade on horseback in the Prater, -the Emperor of Austria, wishing to dismount for a -moment, looked round in vain for some one of his -suite, from which he had got separated by the crowd. -Alexander, guessing his intention, nimbly jumped -off his horse and held out his hand to his fellow-sovereign, -just as on a memorable occasion the Great -Frederick held the stirrup of Joseph <span class="smcap smaller">II.</span> As a matter -of course, the little scene drew unanimous cheers -from all sides, showing the appreciation of the crowd -for the gracious impromptu.</p> - -<p>On another occasion, at a review, a number of -people pressed around Alexander, eager to catch a -glimpse of his face. A countryman seemed even -more anxious than the rest, trying to elbow his way -through the serried mass. Alexander caught sight -of him. ‘Friend,’ he said, ‘you wished to see the -Emperor of Russia; now you can say that you have -spoken to him.’</p> - -<p>To the foreign visitors, an easy life like this, constantly -enhanced by entertainments, really constituted -a delightful existence. In order fitly to celebrate -that memorable gathering, Vienna appeared determined<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_35">35</a></span> -to increase the programme of recreations it -generally afforded. Situated in the centre of Southern -Germany, the city provided, as it were, an oasis of -delightful calm and ‘happy-go-lucky’ leisure amidst -the grave, scientific, and philosophical occupations of -the neighbouring countries. Wholly given up to the -pleasure of the senses, its existence was composed of -fêtes, banquets, dances, and above all, music. It -had pressed into its service as an auxiliary that excellent -wine of Hungary, calculated to give an extra -zest to rejoicings of all kinds. Thus provided, it -glided smoothly on, allowing itself to be governed -with the gentle impassiveness bred of material -satisfaction.</p> - -<p>Strangers are generally well treated in Vienna. -The inhabitants are cordially hospitable; the authorities -conciliatory and frank. In return for this, -strangers are only asked to abstain from speaking or -acting against the Government. On those conditions -the welcome never fails; but woe to the stranger who -transgresses those laws of prudence. He immediately -gets a little note inviting him to present himself next -morning before the magistrate entrusted with the police -supervision of the capital. In the sweetest tones -imaginable he receives a hint of his passport ‘not -being quite in order’ and that by this time the -business which brought him to the city must be terminated. -In vain does he remonstrate, and protest -his loyalty to all constituted authorities. In vain -does he insist upon his simple wish to enjoy the -sweet life of the capital. It is all ineffectual, he is -bound to depart.</p> - -<p>This, at normal periods, is the method of the -Vienna police. It is, however, easy to understand that -at the time of the Congress, and amid so many questions -of intense interest, it would have been difficult -to prevent political speculation and conversation. Fortunately, -the Austrian Government found a powerful -auxiliary in the general pursuit of pleasure. In<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_36">36</a></span> -reality, little or no attention was paid to diplomatic -discussions. With the exception of some idlers or -journalists who had selected the Graben for their -meeting-place and rostrum, society was engrossed -with the pleasures of the fête of the hour, or with -preparations for that of the next day.</p> - -<div id="ip_36" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 31.0625em;"> - <img src="images/i_036.jpg" width="497" height="600" alt="" /> - <div class="caption"><span class="smcap">Count Nesselrode.</span></div></div> - -<p>The utmost secrecy was observed with regard to -the deliberations taking place at the official residence -of the Chancellor of State. M. de Metternich presided -at these. His colleagues had wished to bestow -that honour upon him in recognition of the gracious -hospitality accorded to them. It had been agreed, -however, that the chairmanship implied no supremacy -in favour of the Austrian crown. The plenipotentiaries -were: for Russia, the Comte de Nesselrode<a id="FNanchor_27" href="#Footnote_27" class="fnanchor">27</a> -and the Baron de Stein; for France, the Prince de -Talleyrand and the Duc de Dalberg; for Prussia, the -Prince d’Hardemberg; for Austria, M. de Metternich; -for Würtemberg, the Comte de Wintzingerode; -for Bavaria, the Prince de Wrède; for Spain, the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_37">37</a></span> -Chevalier de Labrador; for Portugal, the Duc de -Palmella; for Sicily, the Commandeur Alvaro Ruffo; -and for Naples, the Duc de Campochiaro. What -happened at those most secret sittings of these famous -diplomatists? It is not my province to speculate -upon the subject; it belongs to posterity to appreciate -the grave results.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile the sovereigns generally spent their -mornings in reviewing the troops at parades, and at -shooting-parties, either at the Prater or at this or -that royal demesne. On the other hand, they forgathered -every day for an hour before dinner, and -were supposed to discuss the subjects that had -occupied the attention of their plenipotentiaries. -The carping outside world maintained, however, that -politics were the thing least talked of in that august -Olympian assembly, and that the announcement of -a forthcoming pleasure party more often than not -monopolised the conversation. Business was ousted -and the gods became simple mortals.</p> - -<p>Of all the entertainments at the Austrian Court, -the most brilliant were unquestionably the grand -routs at the Imperial Palace. Thanks to the Prince -de Ligne, I was privileged to see the smaller masked -rout on the occasion of the arrival of the Emperor of -Russia and the King of Prussia. At the latter kind -of reception, the sovereigns either wore masks or -remained nominally incognito by other means. At -the grand routs, on the contrary, they appeared in all -their brilliancy and displaying all their orders, while -the princesses blazed with diamonds.</p> - -<p>I was unable to witness the first of those grand -routs, hence I became most anxious not to miss the -second. The excellent Prince de Ligne once more -undertook to introduce me and to be my guide; and -together we made our way to the Burg. The sovereigns -had as yet not made their appearance. I had -therefore ample time to feast my eyes upon the -unique sight before me, which after many years I<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_38">38</a></span> -still consider the most dazzling <i>ensemble</i> I ever saw, in -the matchless splendour of its decorations, the richness -and variety of the dresses, and the illustrious conditions -of the personages. To the grand hall had been -added two adjacent smaller ones, connected by a -gallery. The hall originally set apart for the smaller -routs had also been thrown open. Finally, the Imperial -Riding-school, a masterpiece of architecture, had been -transformed into a ball-room. To enumerate all the -particulars of the interior decorations would be practically -an impossible task. The staircases and the -galleries were positively covered with a profusion of -flowers and plants, the latter of the rarest description. -The principal drawing-room was reached by an avenue -of orange-trees; immense candelabra, holding wax -tapers and placed between the boxes, lustres, with -thousands of crystal drops, shed a fantastic light -amidst the foliage of those splendid trees, throwing -into relief their branches and blossoms. The small -hall was decorated with huge baskets of flowers, the -blending of whose colours invested the whole with the -appearance of a fairy garden. The hangings were of -some silk material of the purest white, set off by -silver ornaments. The seats were upholstered in -velvet and gold. From seven to eight thousand wax -tapers shed a light more brilliant than that of day. -Finally, the strains of several bands heightened the -effect of that marvellous spectacle.</p> - -<p>In the riding-school a platform had been prepared -for the sovereigns. It was decorated with panoplies -and standards, and, as in the grand hall, its hangings -were of white silk fringed with silver.</p> - -<p>The diversity of uniforms, the profusion of orders -and decorations were, however, as nothing to the -gathering of charming women. If it was true that at -the particular moment Europe was represented at -Vienna by her celebrities in every walk of life, it was -equally certain that female beauty had not been -excluded in deference to fame. Never did a city<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_39">39</a></span> -hold within its walls as many remarkable women as -did the capital of Austria during the six months of -the Congress.</p> - -<p>Suddenly there was a blast of trumpets; the sovereigns -made their entrance conducting the empresses, -queens, and archduchesses. After having made the -round of the hall amidst general acclamations, they -proceeded to the riding-school and took their seats on -the platform. In the first row there were the Empresses -of Austria and Russia, the Queen of Bavaria and the -Grande-Duchesse d’Oldenbourg, the well-beloved sister -of Alexander, whose likeness to Alexander was so -striking. Then came the Archduchess Beatrice, Grand-Duchess -of Saxe-Weimar.</p> - -<p>The seats on the right and left were occupied by -the galaxy of women who at that moment disputed -the palm of beauty and elegance with each other: -the Princesse de la Tour et Taxis, the Comtesse de -Bernsdorff, the Princesse de Hesse-Philippstal, in all -the splendour of her imposing and statuesque loveliness; -her two daughters, bidding fair to rival their -mother; the Comtesse d’Apponyi, tall and lithe, with -most expressive eyes; the Princesses Sapieha and -Lichtenstein, whose beauty was of a more regular and -gentler cast; the Comtesse Cohari, the Princesses -Paul Esterhazy and Bagration; the daughters of -Admiral Sidney Smith;<a id="FNanchor_28" href="#Footnote_28" class="fnanchor">28</a> the Comtesse Zamoyska, <i>née</i> -Czartoryska, tall, fair, with a skin of dazzling whiteness, -who in herself virtually represented every kind -of Polish female beauty. There were many more -whose names and portraits will often recur in these -<cite>Recollections</cite>.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile, to the sound of inspiriting dance -strains, there entered a group of masked children in -fancy dress, who performed a Venetian pantomime,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_40">40</a></span> -followed by an extensive ballet. The expressive -attitudes, the varied evolutions and steps of those -youthful performers seemed to afford great enjoyment -to the illustrious spectators.</p> - -<p>After the departure of the sovereigns the bands -struck up a series of waltz tunes, and immediately an -electric current seemed to run through the immense -gathering. Germany is the country that gave birth -to the waltz; it is there, and above all in Vienna, -that, thanks to the musical ear of the inhabitants, -that dance has acquired all the charm inherent in it. -It is there that one ought to watch the apparently -whirl-like course, though in reality regulated by the -beat of the music, in which the man sustains and -carries away his companion, while she yields to the -spell with a vague expression of happiness tending -to enhance her beauty. It is difficult to conceive -elsewhere the fascination of the waltz. As soon as its -strains rise upon the air, the features relax, the eyes -become animated, and a thrill of delight runs through -the company. The graceful gyrations of the dancers, at -first somewhat confused, gradually assume accurately -timed movements, while the spectators whom age -condemns to immobility beat time and rhythm, mentally -joining in the pleasure which is bodily denied to -them.</p> - -<p>The pen fails to reproduce that enchanting scene of -beauteous women covered with flowers and diamonds, -yielding to the irresistible strains of the harmony, -and being carried away in the strong arms of their -partners until sheer fatigue compelled them to pause. -The pen fails to reproduce the magnificent sight, to -which daylight streaming through the windows put -an end.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_41">41</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2><a id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II</h2> -</div> - -<blockquote> - -<p>The Drawing-rooms of the Comtesse de Fuchs—The Prince Philip of -Hesse-Homburg—George Sinclair—The Announcement of a Military -Tournament—The Comtesse Edmond de Périgord—General -Comte de Witt—Letters of Recommendation—The Princesse -Pauline—The Poet-functionary and Fouché.</p></blockquote> - -<p>Among the most distinguished women of Austrian -society was the Comtesse Laure de Fuchs, of whom -the numerous visitors to Vienna during the Congress -have preserved the most delightful recollection. -Graceful and witty, she conveyed the -highest idea in her own person of the courtesy -of her country. Foreigners considered it a signal -honour to be admitted to her receptions. In 1808 -and 1812, I, and the few Frenchmen who were in -Vienna at this period, met with the most cordial -welcome on her part. Among those who composed -her most intimate circle, all the members of which -were friends, special mention ought to be made of the -Comtesse Pletemberg, her sister, the wife of the -reigning comte of that name; the Duchesses de Sagan -and d’Exerenza, and Madame Edmond de Périgord,<a id="FNanchor_29" href="#Footnote_29" class="fnanchor">29</a> -a niece, by marriage, of Prince de Talleyrand. They -were all three born Princesses de Courlande, and were -called the Three Graces. In addition to these, there -were the Chanoinesse Kinski, belonging to one of -the most illustrious families of Hungary; the Duc de -Dalberg, one of the French plenipotentiaries; Marshal<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_42">42</a></span> -Walmoden, the three Comtes de Pahlen,<a id="FNanchor_30" href="#Footnote_30" class="fnanchor">30</a> the Prince -Philip of Hesse-Homburg, the Prince Paul Esterhazy, -subsequently Austrian ambassador to the Court of -St. James; the Prince Eugène de Beauharnais, the -Russian general Comte de Witt,<a id="FNanchor_31" href="#Footnote_31" class="fnanchor">31</a> M. de Gentz,<a id="FNanchor_32" href="#Footnote_32" class="fnanchor">32</a> the -secretary of the Congress, and the intimate friend -of M. de Metternich; General Nostiltz, the clever man -of letters; Varnhagen (von Ense), the poet Carpani, -Doctor Koreff, the Baron d’Ompteda, former minister -of Westphalia at Vienna, whom the fall of his -sovereign had left without an embassy, and who -attended this great diplomatic Sanhedrim as a simple -amateur.</p> - -<p>A sweet and gentle animation pervaded those -gatherings, which were never interrupted by irritating -political discussions. With her charming grace, the -countess imposed on all her friends a law of mutual -intimacy; consequently, they unanimously bestowed -on her the title of their <em>queen</em>, a title she had -accepted, and which she bore with a kind of serious -dignity.</p> - -<p>Her family as well as the number of her friends -had increased during my absence from Vienna. The -former were growing into beautiful beings, the latter, -of whom she gave me some short biographical -sketches, were as devoted as ever. Fortune, thanks<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_43">43</a></span> -to the rapidly succeeding events of the last few years, -had forgotten none of them. All had become generals, -ambassadors, or ministers.</p> - -<p>The one to whom I felt most attracted was the -Prince of Hesse-Homburg, then occupying a rank far -distant from his exalted position of to-day. Parity -of age, of tastes and of ideas drew me towards him. -Like many of the princes of German sovereign houses, -his fame was solely due to himself.</p> - -<p>Having joined the army at fifteen, he became a -prisoner of the French in one of the first wars of the -Revolution, and was taken to Paris, where he was -confined in the Luxembourg. He had the luck -to have his life spared. Some time afterwards there -was an exchange of prisoners, and he resumed his -military career. All his grades were conferred upon -him for distinguished services in the field, and at the -period of which I am treating he was numbered -among the most meritorious generals of the Austrian -army.</p> - -<p>When, subsequently, he became a field-marshal, he -was sent to the Emperor of Russia, during the latter’s -campaign against the Turks in 1828. To-day (1820) -as Landgrave of Hesse-Homburg, Prince Philip is -respected and worshipped by his subjects, whose -happiness is his foremost thought.</p> - -<p>Mme. de Fuchs asked me if I had seen anything -more of George Sinclair, the young Englishman -whose adventure with the Emperor Napoleon had at -first drawn attention to him in Vienna, a few days -before the battle of Jena. Mr. George Sinclair, who -was on his way to Austria, was arrested by French -scouts, and taken to headquarters on the suspicion -of being a spy.</p> - -<p>‘Whence came you, and whither are you going?’ -asked the Emperor in a tone which foreshadowed -a death-sentence. Sinclair, who spoke French with -great facility, answered as briefly. ‘I have come -from the University of Jena, and am going to Vienna,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_44">44</a></span> -where letters and orders from my father, Sir John -Sinclair, are awaiting me.’</p> - -<p>‘Sir John Sinclair who has written frequently on -agricultural questions?‘<a id="FNanchor_33" href="#Footnote_33" class="fnanchor">33</a></p> - -<p>‘Yes, sire.’</p> - -<p>The Emperor said a few words to Duroc, and continued -his interrogatory in a kindlier tone. Mr. -Sinclair, who was barely eighteen, was exceedingly -well versed in geography and history. His conversation -fairly astonished Napoleon, who, after talking -with him for a couple of hours, ordered Duroc to give -him an escort as far as the outposts, and to let him -resume his journey. It was altogether an unexpected -favour, and wholly due to his own worth.</p> - -<p>I had practically lost sight of him altogether, but -I knew that after a journey through Italy he had -entered Parliament, where he had become one of the -followers of his friend Sir Francis Burdett, and had -gained a brilliant reputation as a speaker in the -Opposition.</p> - -<p>Two events of a wholly different order occupied -people’s minds at that moment: the future destiny -of the kingdom of Saxony, and the announcement of -a musical ride, a fête of knightly prowess which was -contemplated from the very first days of the Congress, -and was to take place in the Imperial -Riding-school. Saxony came in for a scant part -of the conversation, but the preparations for the -tournament were discussed at great length. It was -to be one of the most magnificent entertainments -hitherto projected, and there were frequent consultations -of the printed and engraved descriptions of the -famous <em>carrousels</em> of Louis <span class="smcap smaller">XIV.</span>, which were to be -eclipsed in splendour.</p> - -<p>The Comtesse Edmond de Périgord, one of the -twenty-four ladies who were to preside at the fête,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_45">45</a></span> -told us that the dresses which were being prepared for -it would surpass in richness everything that had been -handed down concerning the elegance and the splendour -of the Court ladies of the Grand Monarque.</p> - -<p>‘I really believe that we shall be able to display -all the pearls and diamonds of Hungary, Bohemia, and -Austria combined,’ she said. ‘There is not a relative -or friend of these ladies whose jewel-case has not been -laid under contribution; and this or that heirloom in -the way of precious stones, which has not seen the -light of day for a century, will glitter on the dress of -one of us.’</p> - -<p>‘As for the knights,’ said the young Comte de -Woyna, ‘in default of gorgeous dresses, they’ll certainly -have magnificent horses. You’ll behold them -go through evolutions and dance minuets with as -much grace as the most nimble gentlemen of the -Court.’</p> - -<p>After this there was some animated conversation -about the colours of the different quadrilles, and the -supposed skill of the champions. Mottoes were -quoted, and the ladies tried to get at their hidden -meaning. The excellent King of Saxony and his -states were absolutely forgotten; their cause had to -make way for the more important discussion.</p> - -<p>On leaving Mme. de Fuchs’s, I caught sight on the -Graben of General Comte de Witt—a piece of luck, -for the meeting reminded me of those happy and -delightful days I had spent in Ukraine, at the -hospitable and magnificent domain of Tulczim, the -home of the Comtesse Potocka, the comte’s mother.</p> - -<p>The only son of the first marriage of his handsome -mother with General Comte de Witt, the -descendant of the Grand Referendary of Holland, -Comte de Witt’s military career was as rapid as it -was brilliant. A soldier from his childhood, he was -a colonel at sixteen, and at eighteen commanded one -of the most splendid regiments in Europe, namely, -the cuirassiers of the Empress. The campaigns of the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_46">46</a></span> -last three years had given him excellent opportunities -of distinguishing himself. In six weeks he had raised -and equipped at his own cost, and on his mother’s -property, four regiments of Cossacks, which he had -taken to the Emperor, who made him a lieutenant-general, -and entrusted him with the organisation of -the military colonies. In 1828, in the war against -the Turks, he re-entered the service and commanded -the army of reserve. After the Peace of Varna, there -was every prospect of his happiness, when death -removed him unexpectedly and at an early age.</p> - -<p>Comte de Witt had married the Princesse Josephine -Lubomirska, one of the most distinguished women of -Europe. Charming and graceful, her quick and well-read -intellect only equalled by her inexhaustible -kindness—such was the portrait of the Comtesse de -Witt traced by all those who had the privilege of -coming in contact with her.</p> - -<p>Mme. de Fuchs had kept up the habit of supping, -a habit so dear to our fathers, and the disappearance -of which is so much regretted by those who are fond -of joyous, frank, and unrestrained conversation, inspired -by the gaiety of the moment.</p> - -<p>At one of those gatherings I had been placed close -to the Comte de Witt.</p> - -<p>That same morning I had had a strange visit. I was -just stepping out of bed when told that a young Frenchman -wished to speak to me. The caller turns out -to be a man of good appearance, who presents me -with a small parcel he is carrying. ‘This,’ he says, -‘is a letter M. Rey, the advocate with whom you -dined at M. de Bondy’s, the Prefect at Lyons, has -asked me to hand you.’ While I motion him to be -seated I open the epistle, in which M. Rey, after the -usual greetings, asks me, supposing I should be in -Vienna, to interest myself for the bearer, M. Cast ... -in order to get him some employment.</p> - -<p>‘By the date of the letter, monsieur, you must -have left Lyons some time.’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_47">47</a></span> -‘Yes,’ replies the visitor, ‘having the whole of the -world thrown open to me to choose a <em>habitat</em>, I made -my way to the present one on foot.’</p> - -<p>‘You have no doubt other recommendations?’</p> - -<p>‘None whatever.’</p> - -<p>‘Allow me to compliment you on your courage. -To do three hundred leagues on foot simply on the -strength of a letter from a person whom I have only -seen once, and without even the certainty of finding -me—assuredly you ought to succeed! In spite of this, -I can give you but little hope. If you came to the -Congress to claim a kingdom, a province, an indemnity, -you would probably be listened to, but a -post for a Frenchman in the Austrian States—that, I -am afraid, will be a difficult thing to get. Nevertheless, -I will do all I can for you. What have you done -up to the present?’</p> - -<p>‘I have served in the Guards of Honour.’</p> - -<p>‘What sort of post have you in view?’</p> - -<p>‘I am not at all particular. I can be a secretary, -or pretty well fill any kind of post, whether it be civil -or military.’</p> - -<p>‘You are certainly determined to make the best of -things,’ I could not help saying, for that particular -aptitude for making the foot fit the boot in a cheerful -and intelligent way is unquestionably French. I felt -decidedly interested in my young compatriot, and I -asked him to give me a few days to look round for -him. Meanwhile I took his address, though with -considerable doubt about the final result of his bold -journey.</p> - -<p>At supper the conversation happened to turn on -the sudden resolutions and the unhoped-for and -unexpected bits of daring that often determine a -man’s whole existence. As a matter of course, -instances were quoted, and notably that of General -Tettenborn, who, in something like four months had -worked his way from major to general-in-chief.</p> - -<p>‘I could mention a trait of courage and a reliance<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_48">48</a></span> -on luck which, save for the favourable results to -come, is worth all those we have mentioned.’</p> - -<p>On being questioned, I told them all about my -visitor of that morning, about his economical journey -with nothing at the end of it but a simple letter of -introduction, and about the coincidence of his reaching -Vienna but a couple of days after my own arrival. -The Comte de Witt had listened very attentively.</p> - -<p>‘Your young man’s courage is worthy of consideration,’ -he said, ‘and inasmuch as he has been in the -Guards of Honour, he is probably at home on horseback. -Send him to me to-morrow morning; I’ll find -him something to do.’</p> - -<p>I thanked the comte; then, turning to the other -guests: ‘This is my countryman’s second step on -the road of chance in one day,’ I said, ‘You’ll -admit that if a letter of recommendation is often -addressed at random, it now and again happens to -get into the hands of Dame Fortune.’</p> - -<p>‘Yes,’ remarked the young Comte de Saint-Marsan, -‘a letter of recommendation sometimes constitutes a -whole fortune. Would you like to have an instance -of this?’</p> - -<p>And without further ado he told us with his -habitual grace and sprightliness the following anecdote -in connection with a period which already -seemed far removed from us in the past, although -the actors had scarcely left the stage.</p> - -<p>‘A young Parisian poet,’ began Marsan, ‘named -Dubois, who was probably as poor in wit as he was -in money, had exhausted all his faculties in singing -the powers that were without getting the smallest -favour. As a forlorn hope, he addressed an ode to -Princesse Pauline, the favourite sister of Napoleon. -In his poetical confusion, and without reflecting -upon the fate of Racine when the latter presented to -Louis <span class="smcap smaller">XIV.</span> his <cite>Memoir on the Wretched Condition of -Peoples</cite>, Dubois mingled with his praises of the -princess counsels to Mars, embroidered on a philanthropic<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_49">49</a></span> -dream of universal peace. The greatest -effects are often due to the most trivial causes. It -so happened that one of the princess’s waiting-maids -was a distant relative of the poet, and she seized a -favourable opportunity of presenting the epistle to -her highness, who only read the rhymes of “Pauline” -and “divine,” recurring at almost every strophe, and -promised her influence to the author of such beautiful -and kind sentiments. “But where is he?” asked -Princesse Pauline. “There,” said the relative, pointing -to the ante-chamber. “In that case let him come -in,” remarked the princess, and in less time than it -takes to tell, the poet enters the perfumed boudoir of -Pauline, and finds himself <i>tête-à-tête</i> with his future -Providence. “Well, what can I do for you?” asked -the princess, after having listened to the usual compliments. -“If Madame by her influence could get -me some small post in this or that government office, -I should for ever be grateful to her.” “A letter of -recommendation to Fouché may do the thing. Not -later than yesterday he said that I never asked for -any favours. I’ll put him to the test. Do you -think that this would suit you?” Naturally the -poet replied that such a letter could not fail in its -effect, and that it would make him the happiest of -mortals. Handsome Pauline Borghese immediately -opened her escritoire, and being in one of the happy -moods when sentences shape themselves on paper, in -her petition to his Grace of Otranto she spoke of -M. Dubois as a man of superior gifts, apt at many -things, and in whom she took the greatest interest.</p> - -<p>‘An hour afterwards the protégé was at the door -of the dispenser of favours, but being unknown to -the ushers, and not specially recommended to them, -it may easily be imagined that he got no further -than the ministerial ante-chamber, and that he was -obliged to remit his letter to the hands of those -who did not care a jot. As a matter of course, it was -flung with many others into the basket set apart for<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_50">50</a></span> -such epistles, which as often as not went straight -from the receptacle into the stove of the ante-chamber. -Nevertheless, when Fouché returned that evening -from the Council of Ministers, and the basket was, -as usual, set in front of him, by the merest accident -his eye fell on the paper displaying the imperial arms. -Naturally, he opened it at once, read it from the first -line to the last, and immediately ordered four gendarmes -to accompany his carriage at nine in the -morning. Among his <i>entourage</i> it was taken for -granted that he was proceeding to Saint-Cloud for -some communication of great importance; hence the -surprise of his servants was intense when they were -ordered to take him to a mean street in the neighbourhood -of the Halles. It was there that our -favourite of the Muses had established his aerial -quarters on the sixth floor.</p> - -<p>‘There was neither porter nor number to the -entrance of that residence, and inquiries had to be -made of the baker of the quarter as to the domicile -of M. Dubois, a man of letters.</p> - -<p>‘“There is,” answered the baker’s wife, “a person -of that name, very poor, who inhabits an attic in -the place. I do not know whether he is a public -scribe, but he owes me two quarters’ rent.”</p> - -<p>‘And issuing from her shop, she begins to bawl -out the name at the top of her voice. The poor poet -puts his head out of the window of his garret, and -espying below a carriage escorted by gendarmes, -comes there and then to the conclusion that the -boldness of his remarks with regard to a universal -peace has been badly received by Jupiter the -Thunderer, and that they have come to arrest him -in order to make him expiate his audacity at Bicêtre.</p> - -<p>‘Prompted by his fear only, Dubois considers it -most prudent to hide under his bed. Fouché, receiving -no answer to the summons of the baker’s wife, -makes up his mind to mount the six flights. A -courtier does not stop at that when it becomes a<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_51">51</a></span> -question of proving his zeal to those in power. It -would want the facetious genius of Beaumarchais or -Lesage, or the comic talent of Potier, to paint the -originality of the scene, and of the Minister finally -discovering the protégé under the worm-eaten wooden -structure that served him as a couch. Hence I -abridge the particulars. Fouché reassures Dubois, -and induces him to come forth from his improvised -hiding-place. Regardless of the poet’s very profound -<i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">négligé</i>, he places him by his side in the carriage, -which takes its way to the Ministry, where luncheon -is soon served.</p> - -<p>‘“What would you like to be, M. Dubois?” asks -his Excellency in the interval between a dish of -cutlets <i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">à la Soubise</i>, made short work of by the -famished poet, and a <i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">salmis de perdreaux</i> equally -appreciated, at any rate ocularly. “Now tell me -what can I do for you?”</p> - -<p>‘“I’ll be whatever your Excellency likes; and I -shall be grateful for any kind of post.”</p> - -<p>‘“Well, would you like to go to the island of Elba? -I can give you the appointment of commissary general -of police.”</p> - -<p>‘“I’ll go to the end of the world in order to please -your Excellency,” replies the poet, not quite sure -whether for the last hour or so he has been awake -or dreaming.</p> - -<p>‘“Very well then, I’ll go and make out your -nomination, and you’ll start to-morrow. On reaching -Porto-Ferrajo you’ll find further instructions. Meanwhile -take this on account of your stipend.” Saying -which, Fouché presses a roll of napoleons into the -poet’s hand. The latter’s luggage was the reverse -of voluminous; it would have filled a big snuff-box, -and did not take long to pack. Dubois engaged a -place in the diligence, and, in imitation of the -awakened sleeper, departed, like Sancho, for his island, -which he reached without any further adventures.</p> - -<p>‘It so happened that at that identical moment, two<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_52">52</a></span> -competitors were endeavouring to get the concession -of the iron-ore mines of the island of Elba, the yield -of which is very considerable. The new commissary-general -of police seemed to enjoy immense credit in -Paris. He was entrusted with an important charge -in the administration of the island, and each of the -competitors tried to secure his goodwill. One of -these offered him an interest in his enterprise in -return for his influence. The new functionary, who -perceived himself to be on the high road to fortune, -took particular care not to refuse the offer. He promised -everything, and wrote to Paris whatever the -speculator directed. Whether it was sheer accident -or his recommendation that finally procured the concession -for his partner will, perhaps, never be known, -but the merit of it was attributed to the child of the -Muses. He was, however, sharp enough to be aware -of his utter ignorance with regard to the working of -mines in no way connected with those of Parnassus, -and sold his interest in them for three hundred thousand -francs, which with equal good sense he invested -in government securities, thus making his newly -acquired wealth safe against all vicissitudes.</p> - -<p>‘Meanwhile the Princesse Borghese went to -Bagnères to take the waters, and it was some time -before Fouché met with her at the Tuileries.</p> - -<p>‘“I trust your Highness is pleased with the manner -in which I have been able to provide for your protégé;” -said the minister. “What protégé, M. le Duc?” -answered Pauline. “I am afraid I do not understand.” -“But, madame, I mean M. Dubois.” “M. -Dubois? I don’t think I know any one of that -name.” “Does not your Highness recollect a letter -sent to me about three months ago, most pressingly -recommending a M. Dubois, a man of letters, in -whom your Highness took the greatest interest?” -“One moment,” said the princess, and then a smile -overspread her beautiful features. “My protégé, -M. le Duc, was a poor poet, a relative of one of my<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_53">53</a></span> -maids, who sent me an ode. What have you done -with him? Have you given him a stool in one of -your departments?”</p> - -<p>‘The minister, nettled at having been duped in -that way, took particular care to suppress the fact of -his having made a grand functionary of Dubois. Unfortunately, -Fouché’s friends at Court got wind of the -thing, and there was an end of the secret. Napoleon -himself was vastly amused at it, and bantered his -minister, whose habits, as every one knows, were not -of the bantering kind.</p> - -<p>‘Naturally, Dubois’s order of recall was despatched -with the same promptitude as that for his departure. -Our poet fell from his commissaryship-general as -Sancho had fallen from the governorship of his island, -and become a nonentity as before. But the three -hundred thousand francs had been paid to him and -properly invested, and on his return to Paris, he was -enabled to pursue in peace his cultivation of the -Muses, and we may be sure did not lack for parasites -to applaud his verses and share his dinners, which -were amply defrayed by the iron-mines of Elba.’</p> - -<p>Thus far the narrative of the Comte de Marsan, to -whom I leave the responsibility for the story, although -I have no doubt of its veracity, for Fouché, the -Terrorist of old, was an excellent courtier.</p> - -<p>M. Cast***‘s progress on the road to fortune was -not as rapid as that, yet sufficiently rapid for him to -look back with satisfaction on his pluck, as exemplified -in his journey to Vienna. His interview with Comte -de Witt resulted in his appointment as his secretary. -He came to tell me of his wonderful piece of luck, -and that same night went to the Leopoldstadt theatre -and was arrested by the police, who in Vienna were -very severe with foreigners. He showed fight, received -several blows, was bound hand and foot, and -flung into a cell pending inquiry. When brought -before a magistrate next morning, he referred to his -new patron, the Comte de Witt, belonging to the suite<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_54">54</a></span> -of the Emperor of Russia, and on the deposition of the -general, was set at liberty. Not being provided with -a passport, he would, had this happened one day -earlier, have been taken as a vagrant to the Austrian -frontier.</p> - -<p>Subsequently, I was told by the Abbé Chalenton, -the tutor of the young Polignacs, that M. Cast***, -having accompanied the Comte de Witt to Russia, -married at Tulczim a Dutch girl of excellent birth, -with an income of two thousand Dutch ducats, and -on that occasion the abbé, at that time the tutor -of Comtesse Potocka’s children, gave the bride away. -M. Cast*** returned afterwards to Lyons in a -different condition from that in which he had left -it three years previously.</p> - -<p>The moral of all this is that, thanks to a plucky -resolve, he also had his share in the good things which -were going at the Congress of Vienna. Who after -this shall deny the workings of chance on our destinies -and the usefulness of letters of introduction?</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_55">55</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2><a id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III</h2> -</div> - -<blockquote> - -<p>Reception at M. de Talleyrand’s—His attitude at the Congress—The -Duc de Dalberg—The Duc de Richelieu—Mme. Edmond de Périgord—M. -Pozzo di Borgo—Parallel between the Prince de Ligne -and M. de Talleyrand—A Monster Concert.</p></blockquote> - -<p>Since my arrival in Vienna, I had given myself up so -wholly to the pleasure of meeting with old friends -that I had only been able to pay a ‘duty’ call at the -French Legation. Although several friends, among -others MM. Boigne de Faye and Achille Rouen, -formed part of it in different capacities, I had not -been able to have a confidential chat with any. I -had begun sincerely to regret having missed the -opportunity of going to M. de Talleyrand’s receptions, -when he divined my wishes, and with his well-known -and exquisite courtesy sent me an invitation to dinner. -As may be imagined, I did not fail to respond to it, -impatient as I was to observe from near at hand a -man whom I had not seen since my early manhood, -and who had been so largely mixed up with the chief -events of the time. It is a memorable thing in a -man’s life to be able to approach closely to an actor -who has played a principal part on the world’s stage. -It makes an impression which only ceases with life or -with the loss of memory. I reached the embassy early, -and from M. Rouen’s private apartments made my way -to the reception-rooms. There was no one there but -M. de Talleyrand, the Duc de Dalberg, and Madame -Edmond de Périgord, whom I had already met at -Mme. de Fuchs’s. The prince bade me welcome with -the exquisite grace which had become a second nature -to him, and taking hold of my hand with the kindliness<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_56">56</a></span> -reminiscent of a bygone period, he said: ‘I had -to come to Vienna, then, Monsieur, in order to have -the pleasure of seeing you at my home?’ I may have -been mistaken, but at that moment he certainly belied -the axiom so long ascribed to him, namely: That words -were given to man to enable him to disguise his -thought. Without awaiting my answer, which, judging -from my embarrassed look, he fancied would not -be quickly forthcoming, he presented me to the Duc -de Dalberg with a few flattering and gracious words.</p> - -<p>I had not seen M. de Talleyrand since 1806; but -I was struck once more with the intellectual subtlety -of the look, the imperturbable calm of the features, -the demeanour of the pre-eminent man whom I, in -common with all those forgathered in Vienna, considered -the foremost diplomatist of his time. There -were also the same grave and deep tone of voice, the -same easy and natural manners, the same ingrained -familiarity with the usages of the best society—a -belated reflex, as it were, of a state of things which -existed no longer, and of which one beheld in him -one of the last representatives. In that room, and -face to face with such a man, one could not help -yielding to an irresistible feeling of timidity and awe.</p> - -<p>The panegyric of the French plenipotentiaries at -the Congress is practically contained in their names; -nevertheless, M. de Talleyrand, in particular, seemed -to dominate that illustrious assembly by the charm of -his mind and the ascendency of his genius. Always -the same, he treated diplomacy as he treated it formerly -in his drawing-room in Paris and at Neuilly. -Yet, France’s <i>rôle</i> was rendered not less difficult by -the circumstances from without than by the confusion -from within. Hedged, as it were, by numberless -obstacles, the inevitable consequences of a new organisation, -and of the little harmony such an organisation -is likely to command, France was virtually incapable -of showing any <em>virile disposition</em>. It was an open -secret that such a display was beyond the power and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_57">57</a></span> -beyond the will of her government. The great -European states, the arbiters of the Congress, proceeded -with a common accord of which hitherto there -had been no instance in diplomatic annals. It -seemed as if nothing could either break or detach a -single link of the chain. Hence, the representatives -of France were bound to make up, either by the -resources of their genius or by talent of the first -order, for the obstacles opposed to them by a quadruple -alliance applying to the deliberations the whole -weight of its actual importance and of its unassailable -union.</p> - -<p>The force he could not look for from his government, -M. de Talleyrand found in himself; for it is -no exaggeration to say that the whole of the French -mission at the Congress seemed personified in him, -whatever may have been the merit of his colleagues -and the consideration attached to their personality. -With the marvellous intuition which was the particular -dower of his intellect, and which seemed not -only to foresee events but to dominate them, he -soon recovered the position belonging to France. -Admitted to the directing committee, composed of -the four great Powers, he completely changed its -ideas and its tendency. ‘I bring to you more than -you possess, I bring to you the idea of “right.”’ He -divided those Powers, hitherto so united; he, as it -were, raised the spectre of a disproportionately -aggrandised Russian weight on the rest of Europe, -and the necessity of edging her back to the north. -He caused Austria and England to share that conviction. -Hence, Emperor Alexander, who under the -influence and in the drawing-room of M. de Talleyrand -had, six months previously, decided upon the -restoration of the House of Bourbon, saw, not without -annoyance, his projects stopped by the representative -of a state which owed its existence to him. ‘Talleyrand -enacts the part here of Louis <span class="smcap smaller">XIV.</span>’s minister,’ he -said more than once with a show of bad humour.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_58">58</a></span> -I have no intention of enumerating the labours of -M. de Talleyrand at the Congress of Vienna, or the -important acts in which he took a part. Still less -do I intend to trace a portrait of that celebrated man. -Apart from the consideration that such a task would -entail infinite developments, M. de Talleyrand henceforth -belongs to history; and history alone, with -inflexible truth, can describe and make known one -of the most historical personages of modern times. -But, having been an eyewitness at that trying period -of his often successful efforts at raising and reinstating -the nation which he represented, I find it difficult to -resist the temptation to record the vivid impression -produced by his imperturbable calm, his attitude, and -the whole of his personality.</p> - -<p>It has been said often, and with considerable truth, -that at no period did Talleyrand appear more conspicuously -great than at the moment of France’s -disasters in 1814. I had seen him eight years previously -as Minister of France, then all-powerful, and -dictating his laws to the whole of Continental Europe. -At Vienna, as the plenipotentiary of a vanquished people, -he was the same man, and as absolutely confident of -himself. There was the same noble dignity, perhaps -with an additional shade of pride, the same confidence -essential to the representative of a nation which -though vanquished was necessary to the maintenance -of the European equilibrium—of a nation which might -gather strength from the very consciousness of her -defeat. His demeanour was, in one word, the most -eloquent expression of the grandeur of our country. -In watching the look which adverse fortune had been -unable to disturb, the impassiveness which nothing -could disconcert, one could not but feel that this man -had still behind him a strong and powerful nation.</p> - -<p>Just as his high renown, and the authority attached -to his name and experience, made themselves felt in -the deliberations of European politics, so did his noble -manners, the manners of the grand seigneur, and his<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_59">59</a></span> -urbanity stamp his private receptions and his daily -life with a character of gravity wholly in harmony -with his diplomatic rôle. At no moment in Vienna -did he deviate from the habits contracted in Paris and -in the century that lay behind. Every morning while -he was dressing, visitors were admitted, and often -during the operation of shaving and attending to his -hair by his valet, discussions of the utmost gravity, -though in the guise of mere talk, were engaged in. I -have frequently seen him in his drawing-room seated -on a couch by the side of the beautiful Comtesse -Edmond de Perigord, and surrounded by bearers of -the most eminent political names, the ministers of -the victorious Powers, who, standing, conversed with -him, or rather listened, as to the lessons of a teacher. -In our century, M, de Talleyrand is perhaps the only -man who constantly obtained such a triumph.</p> - -<p>M. le Duc de Dalberg was well worthy of figuring -by the side of M. de Talleyrand. Sprung from one of -the oldest and noblest families of Germany, he contributed -powerfully on the 31st March to the resolution -which brought back the Bourbons to the throne; -at the same time, he had pronounced in favour of -constitutional measures calculated to reassure public -opinion, and to make France rally to the restored -régime. Sharing the views and wishes of M. de -Talleyrand at the time of the Restoration, the same -bond of union drew them together at the Congress. -The heartfelt aim of both was to restore to France -the rank of which her misfortunes had deprived her -among the Powers.<a id="FNanchor_34" href="#Footnote_34" class="fnanchor">34</a></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_60">60</a></span> -M. de Talleyrand, before proceeding to Vienna, -had drawn up his own instructions. It was said on -excellent authority that he strictly adhered to them, -and that the various phases of the negotiations had -been foreseen and indicated by him with marvellous -sagacity. What is not generally known is the existence -of two different sets of private correspondence -addressed to Paris by the French plenipotentiaries; -one, partly from the pen of and edited by M. de la -Besnadière, and exclusively anecdotal, was sent to -King Louis <span class="smcap smaller">XVIII.</span> M. de Talleyrand positively besprinkled -it with those witty and original sallies, those -subtle and profound remarks, characteristic of him. -The other, exclusively political and principally indited -by the Duc de Dalberg, went straight to the -Ministry of Foreign Affairs.<a id="FNanchor_35" href="#Footnote_35" class="fnanchor">35</a></p> - -<p>On the day in question, there were few guests to -dinner at M. de Talleyrand’s. This afforded me the -opportunity of observing more attentively and of -listening more carefully: each figure of such a picture -could be studied separately and with greater advantage.</p> - -<p>In addition to the members of the French Mission, -there were only a few strangers, namely, the Comte -Razumowski, General Pozzo di Borgo, and the Duc -de Richelieu. When I parted from the last at -Odessa in 1812, he was in a position most trying -to a governor-general.<a id="FNanchor_36" href="#Footnote_36" class="fnanchor">36</a> The plague was ravaging his<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_61">61</a></span> -provinces of the Chersonese and the Taurida, and -it required all his energy to get rid of such an importunate -visitor. In those cruel circumstances he -displayed the most admirable courage.</p> - -<p>My questions followed each other most rapidly, as -my pleasure at seeing him again was great. I was -seated between him and M. de la Besnadière, and we -went back with great interest to the days of our past -dangers; we chatted about the ravages of the plague -as sailors preserved from shipwreck would have spoken -of the hidden rocks on which their craft might have -gone to pieces.</p> - -<p>All those who have known the Duc de Richelieu -are aware of the sincere friendship he was apt to -inspire. Few men in their public capacity have -shown a nobler character, and in their eminent -functions a stricter disinterestedness. The esteem -of all parties was his reward.</p> - -<p>It is to him Russia owes, in the founding of -Odessa, one of her most precious commercial centres. -Up to that period, the duke was only distinguished for -his military exploits. Having been sent to the shores -of the Black Sea by Emperor Alexander, who understood -all the importance of the site, Richelieu displayed<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_62">62</a></span> -in his fresh sphere of activity the greatest talent, -from an administrative standpoint. In a few years, -a harbour without life, and a few houses without -tenants, were replaced by an accessible and spacious -port and a rich and elegant town. The loyalty of his -character contributed to draw around him merchants -and colonisers. In spite of the plague and of the suspension -of all commercial operations, Odessa, under his -firm and enlightened administration, instead of declining, -increased each day in prosperity. At present -it is one of the most important points of the East.</p> - -<p>Thereafter, M. de Richelieu passed from the -government of the Taurida to that of his own -country. He hesitated for a long while before -assuming a burden he fancied to be beyond his -strength, and only yielded at the repeated instances -of Emperor Alexander. Obliged, in virtue of his -office, to sign the disastrous treaties of 1815, he -bore with patriotic fortitude their odious consequences. -Students of history will remember his -efforts at the Congress of Aix-la-Chapelle (1818), and -the happy results which crowned them. History -may not, perhaps, acquiesce in his sufficient knowledge -of the men and places which he had governed, -but she will always refer with grateful remembrance -to his sterling virtues and his exalted patriotism.</p> - -<p>The conversation became general, and followed the -direction given to it by the personages, interesting in -so many respects, taking part in it. M. Pozzo di -Borgo, whom I saw on that occasion for the first -time, seemed to me to unite the finesse, the liveliness -of intellect, and the imagination of his countrymen. -An avowed enemy of Bonaparte since the beginning -of his career, he had never disguised his joy at the -latter’s fall. In a few words he summed up all the -causes which were inevitably to lead to the acceleration -of that great catastrophe.<a id="FNanchor_37" href="#Footnote_37" class="fnanchor">37</a></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_63">63</a></span> -At that time a simple general of infantry in the -Russian service, M. Pozzo di Borgo never deviated -from the line of conduct which led him subsequently -to exercise such a great influence on the destinies of -Europe. Born in Corsica, and deputy for the island -in the Legislative Assembly, he held the same -ardent opinions which had made him conspicuous in -his own country. It was he who in July 1792 -induced the Assembly to declare war against the -German Emperor. After the revolution of August -10th, his name was found mentioned in the papers -of Louis <span class="smcap smaller">XVI.</span> A fellow-deputy for Corsica, one of -the commissaries entrusted with the examination of -those papers, informed him, it was said, of the danger -he might be running, and prevailed upon him to -leave Paris. On his return to Corsica, he changed his -colours. Resolved to support the designs for rendering -the island independent, he joined the party of -Paoli, and in 1793, the Convention summoned him, -as well as the general, to its bar, to account for his -conduct. Neither obeyed the summons: the English -army occupied the island, and M. Pozzo di Borgo -was appointed president of the Council of State -under Eliot, who was raised to the dignity of viceroy. -Nevertheless, during his tenure of office there arose -so many complaints against him that Eliot advised -him to retire, at the request of Paoli, who had become -afraid of the number of enemies his protégé had managed -to array against himself. M. Pozzo di Borgo -then went to London, where he was employed by the -government in the secret diplomatic service. The<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_64">64</a></span> -British Government itself subsequently admitted that, -thanks to the influence of Prince Czartoryski, Pozzo -di Borgo had passed into the secret political service -of Russia. The same good fortune that attended -him in his political functions remained by his side -on the battlefield: he obtained rapid promotion, and -at Leipzig he fought as major-general under the orders -of another Frenchman, to-day King of Sweden.<a id="FNanchor_38" href="#Footnote_38" class="fnanchor">38</a> It -was Pozzo di Borgo who in 1814 settled the question -of the Allied Powers marching upon Paris, and who -in their deliberations removed all apprehension on -the subject. Every one remembers the dignities -with which he was subsequently invested, and the -various phases of his political career. Already at the -Congress he was credited with a sentence which he -never denied, and which laid bare his thoughts. -‘France,’ he said, ‘is a seething saucepan; whatever -comes out of it ought to be flung back into it.’ M. -Pozzo di Borgo’s conversation did not lack piquancy; -nevertheless, it did not take long to find out that the -learning he somewhat ostentatiously displayed was -neither solid nor extensive, nor profound. He had a -mania for quoting, but not the talent of varying his -quotations. For instance, at M. de Talleyrand’s, he -supported an argument by a passage from Dante, a -phrase of Tacitus, and shreds from English orators. -M. de la Besnadière told me that every one of those -citations had already done duty two days previously -at the Prince de Hardenberg’s.</p> - -<p>When we went into the drawing-room, a good -many distinguished personages were already there. -In fact, to see this forgathering of the majority -of the members of the Corps Diplomatique grouping -themselves around M. de Talleyrand, the supposition -would have been pardonable that his residence was -the <i>locale</i> of the Congress.</p> - -<p>Mme. la Comtesse de Périgord received her -relative’s guests with a charming grace. Her<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_65">65</a></span> -brilliant and playful intellect tempered from time to -time the gravity of the political matter gliding into -the conversation. There was, however, this difference: -under M. de Talleyrand’s roof the discussion -was ever serious, and never deviated from its aim; -while in the other drawing-rooms of Vienna, politics -were treated as an accessory, and in an airy -fashion, during the rare intervals not devoted to -pleasure.</p> - -<p>On the evening in question, Saxony was once more -the subject of the conversation. Louis <span class="smcap smaller">XVIII.</span> had -declared himself strongly opposed to the maintenance -of Frederick-Augustus on its throne. He wished -that prince to be punished with the loss of his -kingdom for his faithful support of Napoleon. The -utmost Louis would concede was the restricted sovereignty -of Frederick-Augustus over some small patch -of territory on the left bank of the Rhine. The execution -of that plan would have involved the incorporation -of the whole of the Saxon States with Prussia. The -latter Power claimed them energetically as a compensation -guaranteed to it by the Treaty of Kalisch. -Alexander, who at that time was nursing the idea of -a kingdom of Poland comprising the Polish provinces -that had formerly lapsed to Prussia, had pronounced in -favour of that incorporation. Austria, however, looked -askance at this scheme of aggrandisement, while the -minor German princes were positively afraid of such -a spoliation, which seemed to them the precursor -of their destruction. M. de Talleyrand, on the other -hand, sided with Saxony, sustaining its rights on -every possible opportunity with as much dignity as -healthy logic.</p> - -<p>There was a very lively discussion between Lord -Castlereagh<a id="FNanchor_39" href="#Footnote_39" class="fnanchor">39</a> and the French envoys. England at that<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_66">66</a></span> -time, though having no direct interest in the -question, seemed inclined to favour Prussia’s pretensions. -A few months later, there was a reversal of -her policy. But however interesting King Frederick-Augustus’s -cause might be to me personally, it seemed -to me that the atmosphere in which I had hitherto -lived at Vienna excluded all political affairs, and I -had drawn aside with the Duc de Richelieu. He -gave me some particulars of the brilliant military -career of his nephew, the Comte de Rochechouart, -with whom I had spent so many happy moments at -Odessa;<a id="FNanchor_40" href="#Footnote_40" class="fnanchor">40</a> and then talked to me about the handsome -Mme. Davidoff,<a id="FNanchor_41" href="#Footnote_41" class="fnanchor">41</a> and of her famous friend Mme. la -Comtesse Potocka. Surrounded by all that was most -brilliant and accomplished in European civilisation, -our thoughts yet went back to the deserts of the -Yeddisen, and when we returned to the group -of diplomatists, the prince had vanquished the grand -sophist, and equity had scored a triumph over -arbitrariness.</p> - -<p>Although M. de Talleyrand was both in bearing -and in temperament naturally cold and indifferent, his -great reputation and his uncontested merit caused -him to be assiduously courted. That apparent coldness, -in fact, still further enhanced the special marks -of his interest or of his affection. The words falling -from his lips, a benevolent smile, a sign of approval—<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_67">67</a></span>in -short, everything emanating from him was calculated -to fascinate. His was the flexible intellect -which without effort and without pedantry can, on -notable occasions, show itself the master of the -situation, and which, in more familiar intercourse, -knows how to lend itself with inimitable grace to -the lightest banter. Full justice has never been -done to his goodness of heart. He repaid hatred and -slander by clever sallies; he never emphasised or -paraded the services he rendered; and in general his -kind actions were performed with such simplicity -as to make him easily lose the recollection of -them.<a id="FNanchor_42" href="#Footnote_42" class="fnanchor">42</a></p> - -<p>At that period I often tried to establish a parallel -between the two men who, even in that gathering -of so many illustrious people, powerfully attracted -and captivated everybody’s attention, namely, the -Prince de Ligne and M. de Talleyrand. Both, having -lived in contact with the celebrities of the eighteenth -century, seemed to have been bequeathed to the -new generation as models and ornaments; both were -representatives, though in different styles, of that -witty society—the one of its lighter and more sparkling -phase, the other of its easy, graceful, and noble phase; -both had the secret of pleasing by the charm of intellect: -the first was more brilliant, the second more -profound. M. de Talleyrand seemed born, as it were, -to captivate his fellow-men by the strength of an -ever-direct and luminous reason; the Prince de Ligne -fascinated and dazzled them by the sparkle of an -inexhaustible imagination: the latter bringing to -bear upon the different branches of literature the -subtlety, sparkle, and gracefulness of the <i>habitué</i> -of Courts; the former dominating over the most -important concerns with the easy calm of a grand -seigneur and the imperturbable moderation of a<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_68">68</a></span> -superior intellect; the one and the other lavishly -scattering around them clever sentences, happy -sallies, original and piquant traits, graver and more -individual in the case of the statesman, more spontaneous -and brilliant in the case of the soldier:—both, -in fine, animated with the sympathetic benevolence -which is the appanage of the well-born man, and which -was more contained with the first and more expansive -with the second. ‘Happy ought the man to be -who finds himself placed near the Prince de Ligne -in the morning, and in the evening near M. de -Talleyrand,’ I said to myself. ‘If the one be apt -to enlighten his mind by the lessons of a long -experience and a succession of true pictures, the -other may purify his taste by the never-failing -tact, the judicious observation which takes in everything, -and the magic charm of a conversation which -has the faculty of subjugating listeners even where -it fails in convincing them.’</p> - -<p>The reception on the evening in question did not -last as long as usual, Mme. de Périgord, like the -majority of us, being due at the Burg, to attend -a monster concert. Nothing, it was said, could -convey a better idea of the marvellous results of -the practice of music in Vienna. We left the prince -engaged in his game of whist, in which he indulged -every night with a particular fondness and -with superior skill, and made our way to the Imperial -Palace.</p> - -<p>In one of the vastest halls, that of the States, there -were a hundred pianos on which professors and -amateurs performed a concert. Salieri, the composer -of the <cite>Danaïdes</cite>, was the conductor of that gigantic -orchestra. To tell the truth, however, save for the -general scene, which in all these fêtes was always -dazzling, that matchless charivari, in spite of the -superior talent of the maestro directing it, was more -like a huge display of strength and skill than -a concert of good taste. This new surprise was,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_69">69</a></span> -nevertheless, such as might have been expected from -a committee appointed by the Court. To justify -the confidence placed in it, it had ransacked its -imagination for something unforeseen and unprecedented, -something altogether out of the ordinary. -It had succeeded to perfection.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_70">70</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2><a id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV</h2> -</div> - -<blockquote> - -<p>The Prince de Ligne’s Study—A Swimming Exploit—Travelling by -Post—A Reminiscence of Mme. de Staël—Schönbrunn—The Son -of Napoleon—His Portrait—Mme. de Montesquiou—Anecdotes—Isabey—The -Manœuvring-Ground—The People’s Fête at Augarten.</p></blockquote> - -<p>When I went to pay my daily visit to the prince, he -was still in bed, and I made my way to his library, -where they had placed his couch. The room in which -a famous man spends the greater part of his time is -always interesting. The signs of his particular tastes -are everywhere; the special character of his genius -reveals itself in the smallest details; and the objects -surrounding him supply food for our curiosity or -attract our attention. With his books and manuscripts -scattered here, there, and everywhere, the -Prince de Ligne gave one the impression of a general -in his tent among the trophies of his victories and -the weapons worn in everyday life.</p> - -<p>Abusing somewhat the licence accorded to poets, -with whom ‘a beautiful disorder’ is accounted an -artistic effect, the prince lived amidst a kind of litter -which was not altogether devoid of gracefulness. -Here, Rousseau and Montesquieu lying open beside -a batch of love-letters; there, scraps of paper covered -with verses close to a couple of military volumes of -Archduke Charles; further on, letters just begun, -and poems and works of strategy in a similarly -initial condition. An admirable amalgam of the -grand seigneur, the soldier, and the man of wit, the -Prince de Ligne presented a type the like of which -we shall not see again; now captivating the most<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_71">71</a></span> -distinguished women by the charms of a most brilliant -conversation, then astounding the most consummate -generals by the justness of his conceptions; and again -delighting the greatest intellects by the subtlety -and the truth of his comments.</p> - -<p>He had a writing-desk before him when I came -in. His intellect, aglow with a wholly youthful -imagination, just as his heart was aglow with kindness, -seemed to live against time; hence, no day ever -passed without his throwing on to paper some judicious -or playful, some brilliant or profound remarks, such -as those with which his conversation was studded.</p> - -<p>‘I’m going to Schönbrunn to-day,’ he said, ‘and -I should like you to accompany me. I am performing -<i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">ad honores</i> the office of introducer to the little -duke who was born a king. I only want to finish -this chapter on the events of the moment, and then -I am at your disposal.</p> - -<p>‘I’m throwing my thoughts on to paper anyhow -lest they should escape my memory,’ he added. -‘The grand picture we constantly have before -us has the faculty of inspiring me; I fancy that -amidst all these delirious joys a thought may now -and again strike me which in days to come will -either give pleasure or be productive of some good. -Though yielding to this whirl of phantasms, I have -not ceased to observe. Though an actor in the piece -which is being played, I consider the whole of what -is passing around me a simple kick in an ant-hill.’</p> - -<p>Saying which he resumed writing. All of a sudden, -being apparently in want of a reference of some kind, -he looked up. ‘Be kind enough to give me that -manuscript volume on the third shelf.’ I got up, but -uncertain which volume to take, I hesitated for a -moment. Thereupon he jumped out of bed and -hauled himself up by the cornice of the bookcase, got -hold of the book, and was back again between the -sheets in less time than it takes to tell; I looking on -in sheer surprise at the agility of a man of his years.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_72">72</a></span> -‘The fact is,’ he said, ‘I have been most nimble all -my life, and my nimbleness has been exceedingly -useful. During that kind of fairy journey when I -accompanied the great Catherine to the Taurida, the -imperial yacht was doubling the promontory of Parthenizza, -where, according to tradition, the Temple -of Iphigenia formerly stood. We were discussing -the greater or lesser probability of that tradition, -when Catherine, stretching forth her arms towards -the coast, said: “Prince de Ligne, I’ll bestow upon -you that contested territory.” No sooner had the -words dropped from her lips than I was in the water, -in full uniform, my hat on my head, and in a few -moments I stood on <i xml:lang="la" lang="la">terra firma</i>. “Majesty,” I cried, -drawing my sword, “I am taking possession.” Since -then that Taurida rock is named after me, and I keep -the land.</p> - -<p>‘This, my young friend, shows that bodily agility -may be attended with excellent results, and that there -is nothing in life like prompt resolution. A few years -before the outbreak of the Revolution, I happened to -be in Paris. In the happiness of the hour, and with -the carelessness of youth, I had committed a few -excesses; I had, moreover, forgotten the state of my -finances, and my purse was as empty of coin as -my heart was full of joy and my mind of illusion. -Nevertheless, I was expected in Brussels the next -day to dine with the archduchess-governess of the -Southern Netherlands. A total stranger in the vast -city, I felt sorely embarrassed. I was on terms of intimate -friendship with Prince Max, the present King of -Bavaria, at that time a colonel in the French service.<a id="FNanchor_43" href="#Footnote_43" class="fnanchor">43</a> -You are aware of his generous and devoted disposition. -During the whole of his life he was willing to<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_73">73</a></span> -share with his friends whatever he possessed. Naturally -I went to him, but our excellent Max was not -at that period a king, and had no minister of finances -to direct and to take care of his savings. It -just happened that his purse was as light as mine. -What was to be done? A post-boy is the most inexorable -of men, and at each stage he comes pitilessly, -though hat in hand, to claim his salary. I was told -that my cousin, the Duc d’Aremberg, much more -sober in conduct, was starting that same evening for -Brussels. I immediately made up my mind what to -do. “I shall be there before him,” I said; and without -a moment’s delay I transformed myself into a -forerunner, and, booted and spurred, presented myself -at the posting-office. I told them to give me a -horse, and set off at a gallop to the next stage to order -relays. In that way I performed the journey to -Brussels, always a few minutes in advance of him, -and seeing to the providing of his horses all along -the route. My cousin, who had not despatched a -forerunner, was unable to make out the providential -arrangement to which was due the promptitude that -thus shortened his journey. At his arrival I told -him the ruse, at which we both laughed heartily, and -thanks to which I managed to dine with the archduchess.’</p> - -<p>While talking, he had dressed himself. When he -had finished putting on his uniform of colonel of -trabans, and had hung half-a-dozen grand crosses -and ribands of various orders upon his breast, he -suddenly stopped.</p> - -<p>‘If illusion could provide me to-day with its -mirror,’ he said, ‘how gladly would I exchange all this -splendour for the simple dress of an ensign in my<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_74">74</a></span> -father’s regiment! I was only sixteen when I donned -that dress for the first time; I imagined then that at -thirty one must be very old. Time changes everything. -To-day, at eighty, I think myself still young, -although some cavillers say that I am too young. -It does not matter, I am doing all I can to prove that -I am still young enough. After all, my career has -been a happy one, and neither remorse nor ambition, -nor jealousy has troubled its course. I have steered -my barque pretty evenly, and until I enter that of -Charon I shall continue to fancy myself, in spite of -those who insist upon considering me as old.’</p> - -<p>Even while bantering himself in that way, there -was a charm about his words of which it is difficult -to convey an idea. I kept telling him that age had -glided off him without leaving a mark, and that time -honoured him by forgetting him. He believed my -words, and his handsome face was lighted up with -happiness.</p> - -<p>On going downstairs we found some of the savants -who constantly worried him, and his features lost -their happy expression, although he managed to dismiss -the intruders with a few polite remarks, and -went on his way. ‘How I detest those savants of -verbosity, those gatherers of clever sayings, those -walking dictionaries, whose sole stock-in-trade in the -matter of genius is their memory! The best book to -study is the world itself, but that book will always -be a closed one to them,’ he said.</p> - -<p>In a few moments we were rumbling in the direction -of Schönbrunn. Unfortunately, the prince’s -carriage did not deserve the compliment I had just -addressed to the prince himself. It was impossible -to believe that the vehicle had ever been young, and -its springs piteously cried out to be exchanged for a -set more elastic and in keeping with the requirements -of our own time. I can still picture the cumbrous, -grey conveyance drawn by two bony white horses. -The panels displayed the prince’s scutcheon, surmounted<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_75">75</a></span> -by the motto of the House of Egmont, -whence the prince sprung:</p> - -<div class="poem-container"> -<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> -<span class="i0">‘<i xml:lang="la" lang="la">Quô res cumque cadunt, semper stat linea recta.</i>’<br /></span> -</div></div> -</div> - -<p class="in0">Behind this ancient coach stood a kind of footman, -an old Turk, six feet high, a present from Prince -Potemkin at the assault of Ismaël, and who bore the -name of the conquered town. The marshal, however, -had the art of abridging distances, just as he had -the art of supplying the scantiness of his dinner-entertainments, -by his conversation. The journey of -nearly an hour seemed very short, and it was with -some surprise that I beheld the gates of the imperial -country-seat.</p> - -<p>Schönbrunn, the building of which was begun by -the princes of the House of Austria, was the object of -Maria-Theresa’s particular affection. It was she who -completed it, and, in order to accelerate the work, -part of it was done by torchlight. The castle is -delightfully situated on the right bank of the Wien. -The majestic <i>ensemble</i> of its architecture proclaims -it at once to be a royal residence. The gardens, -nobly and most gracefully planned, interspersed with -sheets of limpid water skilfully disposed, planted -with trees of the most luxuriant vegetation, and -studded with most precious marble and bronze -statuary, harmonise most imposingly with the magnificence -of the palace itself. The park is alive -with deer of all kinds, the peaceful tenants of those -beautiful spots, and they, as it were, seem to invite -the approach of the visitors. Every day and at all -hours these glades and avenues are open to the public. -Numberless carriages and horsemen are constantly -there. The park is surrounded by pleasaunces, the -inmates of which in the milder season are the eye-witnesses -of a succession of fêtes and rejoicings. The -sound of those rejoicings pierces the walls of the -imperial habitation, and adds by its animation to the -charms of the noble pile.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_76">76</a></span> -The apartments of the palace are spacious and -furnished with exquisite taste. There are several -rooms entirely draped with black: they have remained -in that condition since the death of Maria-Theresa’s -husband. A small study is decorated with drawings -by the various archduchesses. This is the room -where Napoleon, during his sojourn at Schönbrunn, -retired to work. It is there he beheld for the first -time the portrait of Marie-Louise, and perhaps conceived -the idea of a union which had such an influence -on his destiny.<a id="FNanchor_44" href="#Footnote_44" class="fnanchor">44</a></p> - -<p>A staircase leads from that room into the garden. -On a wooded height stands a charming pavilion built -by Maria-Theresa, and called ‘La Gloriette’; that -elegant structure of fairy-like design, composed of -arcades, colonnades, and trophies, bounds the vista -and constitutes one of the most delightful pieces of -decorative architecture. It is at the same time a -palace and a triumphal arch. It is reached by a -double staircase. The view from the principal drawing-room -defies description: there are immense masses -of green as far as the eye can reach, and at the horizon -are the city of Vienna, the course of the Danube, and -finally the high mountains whose outlines constitute -the background of the magnificent landscape. It is -difficult to imagine a more splendid panorama.</p> - -<p>The greenhouses of Schönbrunn are perhaps the -most beautiful in Europe. They contain precious -samples of the vegetation of the universe. It was -there that Emperor Francis, who had a particular -liking for botanical pursuits, himself attended to the -rarest plants.</p> - -<div id="ip_76" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 27.5625em;"> - <img src="images/i_076.jpg" width="441" height="600" alt="" /> - <div class="caption"><span class="smcap">Maria Louisa, Archduchess of Austria.</span></div></div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_77">77</a></span> -Not far from there is the zoological collection, disposed -in a circle around a pavilion forming the centre, -as it were, of the various sheltered enclosures for the -animals. Each species has its <i>habitat</i> and its garden, -with the plants and trees proper to the country of its -birth. There, though prisoners, the animals apparently -enjoy their liberty.</p> - -<p>Close to the castle there was a small railed-off -plot, carefully tended, which was the garden of the -son of Napoleon. It was there that the young prince -cultivated the flowers which each morning he gathered -into bouquets for his mother<a id="FNanchor_45" href="#Footnote_45" class="fnanchor">45</a> and his governess.</p> - -<p>While crossing the courts, which are very spacious, -the prince pointed out the spot where, while -Napoleon was inspecting some troops, a young fanatic -attempted to kill him about the time of the battle of -Wagram. If a crime of that nature is calculated to -inspire anything but a feeling of indignation, that -young fellow might have been pitied in virtue of the -courage and fortitude he showed at the moment of -his death.</p> - -<p>It was in those courts that, at the same period, -Napoleon gave orders to his ordnance-officer, the -Prince de Salm, to put through its drill a regiment -of the Germanic Confederation, and to give the command -in German. The Viennese came down in -shoals, this little amenity on the part of the victor -having made them forget that their capital was in -the hands of the enemy.</p> - -<p>In the hall a French servant, still wearing the -Napoleonic livery, came towards us. He knew the -marshal, and immediately went to inform Mme. de -Montesquiou of his arrival.</p> - -<p>‘I trust we’ll not have to wait,’ said my companion, -‘for, as I have told you, I am almost like the -Comte de Ségur of Schönbrunn.’ He alluded to the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_78">78</a></span> -position of grand-master of the ceremonies that nobleman, -whom he had known at the Court of Catherine, -had occupied near the person of Napoleon.</p> - -<p>A few moments later Mme. de Montesquiou came -to apologise for being unable to introduce us -immediately. ‘The little prince,’ she said, ‘is sitting -for his portrait to Isabey, which is intended for the -Empress Marie-Louise. As he is very fond of the -marshal, the sight of him would only make him restless. -I’ll see that the sitting is as short as possible.’</p> - -<p>‘You know what happened at my first visit?’ -remarked the prince, after Mme. de Montesquiou had -left us. ‘When they told the child that Marshal -Prince de Ligne had come to see him, he exclaimed: -“Is it one of the marshals who deserted papa? Don’t -let him come in.” They had a good deal of trouble -in making him understand that France is not the -only country where they have marshals.’</p> - -<p>A short while afterwards Mme. de Montesquiou -took us to the apartments. When young Napoleon -caught sight of the Prince de Ligne he slid off his -chair, and flung himself into the arms of the old -soldier. He was indeed as handsome a child as one -could wish to see, and the likeness to his ancestress -Maria-Theresa was positively striking. The cherub-like -shape of his face, the dazzling whiteness of the -skin, the eyes full of fire, and the pretty fair curls -drooping on his shoulders, made up one of the most -graceful models ever offered to Isabey. He was -dressed in a richly embroidered uniform of hussars, -and wore on his dolman the star of the Legion of -Honour, ‘<i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">Bon jour, monsieur</i>,’ said the little lad, -‘I like the French very much.’</p> - -<p>Remembering the words of Rousseau to the effect -that people do not like to be questioned, and least of -all children, I stooped down and kissed him.</p> - -<p>The son of Napoleon is no more; pitiless Death cut -short at twenty-two a life begun on a throne; and at -the moment when the brilliant qualities of the prince<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_79">79</a></span> -bade fair to make that life illustrious, and when his -noble sentiments had begun to win all hearts. Everything -connected with this offspring of so much glory, -a victim from his cradle of a fatal and unprecedented -destiny, only presents itself to the memory with a -deep respect mingled with a tender pity.</p> - -<p>His intellect was quick and precocious; all his -words struck the listener by their justness. Both his -memory and his faculty for acquiring knowledge were -astounding; he learned German in a short time, and -after that spoke it with the same ease as French. -His character was firm, and his resolutions, only -arrived at after serious reflection, were unshakable; -his slightest movements were stamped with grace; -his gestures, when he wished to emphasise his words, -were already grave and solemn. His liking for the -science of warfare showed itself both in his eyes and -in his speech. ‘I want to be a soldier,’ he said, ‘I’ll -lead the charge.’ They suggested that bayonets might -oppose his progress. ‘But surely,’ was the answer, -‘I’ll have a sword to put aside the bayonets.’ His -curiosity with regard to the history of his father was -extreme; the Emperor, his grandfather, convinced -that truth must constitute the basis of every education, -and notably that of a prince, determined not to -leave him in ignorance upon any subject.<a id="FNanchor_46" href="#Footnote_46" class="fnanchor">46</a> The child -listened eagerly to the story of a life which, in the -space of twenty years, seemed to have exceeded the -measure of both belief and of history. The exuberance -of his joys, his impatience at being baulked of -his wishes and of all opposition to his will, were those -of a child, while his intense anxiety to learn, his -habitual calm and reflection, attested a more advanced -age. Everything in him led to the belief in the -theory of hereditary genius.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_80">80</a></span> -His instinct, as is well known, showed itself under -memorable circumstances. On the 29th March, 1814, -when the Empress Marie-Louise abandoned the Tuileries -for Rambouillet, and when they wished to take -the child to his mother, who was waiting for him, -he opposed a stout resistance to being removed; -shouted that they were betraying his papa, and refused -to stir. Mme. de Montesquiou’s moral influence -over the lad was brought to bear in vain; she -only succeeded by force, and even then she had to -promise to bring him back soon. The poor lad -guessed, as it were, that he would never more behold -the Tuileries.</p> - -<p>His quickness of intellect showed itself in everything -connected with his illustrious and ill-fated sire. -On the day before our visit, the English commodore, -Sir Neil Campbell, who accompanied Napoleon to -Elba, was presented to his son. ‘Are you not -pleased, prince, to see this gentleman, who left your -father only a few days ago?’ asked Mme, de Montesquiou, -presenting the officer. ‘Yes,’ was the -answer, ‘I am pleased.’ Then, putting his finger to -his lips, he added, ‘But we must not say so.’</p> - -<p>The commodore took the child into his arms. -‘Your papa has told me to kiss you for him,’ he said, -suiting the action to the word, after which he gently -put him down. The child had a German top in his -hands. He flung it down with such force as to break -it to pieces. ‘Poor papa!’ he gasped, bursting into -tears.<a id="FNanchor_47" href="#Footnote_47" class="fnanchor">47</a></p> - -<p>What were the thoughts that moved him, and how, -at his tender age, could he grasp the whole extent -of the ambiguous and false position of the son of -Napoleon being a prisoner, as it were, in the Austrian -palace of Schönbrunn!</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_81">81</a></span> -With regard to the loss of the sovereignty bestowed -upon him at his birth, he expressed himself with a -melancholy and touching resignation. ‘I see very -well that I am no longer a king,’ he repeated during -his journey from Rambouillet to Vienna; ‘I have -no longer any pages.’<a id="FNanchor_48" href="#Footnote_48" class="fnanchor">48</a> The Prince de Ligne having -shown him some medals struck on the occasion of -his birth, he remarked, ‘I remember them; they -were made when I was king.’</p> - -<p>This plucky resignation, which was the most conspicuous -trait of his character, abided with him up -to his last moments. When, at the age of twenty-two, -undermined by a most painful malady, he was -dying at that same palace of Schönbrunn, and beheld -Death advancing slowly but surely, he, handsome, -young, talented, and the offspring of a great man, -talked of his impending end with those surrounding -him, taking, as it were, a cruel pleasure in dispelling -all the illusions of hope.</p> - -<p>We stepped up to Isabey, who had just put the -finishing touches to the portrait of the young prince. -It was a striking likeness, and, in common with all -his works, pervaded by an exquisite grace. It was -the identical picture he presented to Napoleon on the -latter’s return from Elba in the following year. ‘What -I like best in this portrait is its wonderful resemblance -to that of Joseph <span class="smcap smaller">II.</span> when he was a child, which was -given to me by Maria-Theresa. After all, this resemblance -to a great man is a happy augury for the future.’</p> - -<p>Then the prince complimented the painter on the -perfect finish of his work, adding a few happily-chosen -words on his European reputation.</p> - -<p>‘I came to Vienna, M. le Maréchal,’ replied -Isabey, ‘with the hope of being allowed to reproduce -the features of all the celebrities that are here, and -without doubt I ought to have started with yours.’</p> - -<p>‘Assuredly, seeing that, in virtue of my age, I am -the dean.’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_82">82</a></span> -‘No,’ retorted Isabey, who was also known for -his ready wit, ‘not in virtue of your age, but -as the model of all that is illustrious in this -century.’</p> - -<p>Meanwhile, young Napoleon had gone to a corner -of the room in search of a regiment of wooden Uhlans -which his grand-uncle Archduke Charles had sent -him a few days previously. Set in motion by a -piece of simple mechanism, the troopers, stuck on -movable pins, imitated every military evolution, -breaking the ranks, deploying into line, forming into -columns, etc.</p> - -<p>‘Time to begin our manœuvres, prince!’ shouted -the marshal in a tone of command. Immediately the -Uhlans were taken from their box and disposed in -battle order. ‘Attention,’ cried the marshal, drawing -his sword and assuming the attitude of a general -on parade.</p> - -<p>Stolidly attentive and grave, like a Russian grenadier, -the child took up his position to the right of his -troop, his hand on the spring. No sooner has the -word of command left the old soldier’s lips than the -movement is carried out with the utmost precision. -A second order meets with similarly prompt obedience; -the chief and the subaltern are equally grave. -To watch the charming face of the child lighting up -at this mimic piece of drill, and, on the other hand, -to watch the aged and illustrious relic of the wars of -the past becoming animated at the child’s grave -demeanour, was a sight never to be forgotten. It -looked as if the one had inherited the irresistible -passion of his sire for the science of warfare; as if -the other, suddenly growing younger by a couple of -decades, was going to recommence his glorious campaigns. -It was a delicious contrast, fit to inspire the -genius of our greatest painters.</p> - -<p>The grand manœuvres were interrupted by the -announcement of the empress’s coming. She liked to -be alone with her son, whose education she superintended.<a id="FNanchor_49" href="#Footnote_49" class="fnanchor">49</a><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_83">83</a></span> -Hence we retired, leaving Isabey to show -her his work.</p> - -<p>No sooner were we seated in our carriage, still -deeply moved by what we had seen, than the Prince -de Ligne said: ‘When Vienna surrendered to Napoleon -at Schönbrunn, when he planned his memorable -campaign of Wagram there, when in those spacious -courts he reviewed his victorious phalanxes in the -presence of the astounded Viennese, little did he -foresee that in this same palace the son of the victor -and the daughter of the vanquished would be held -as hostages by one whose fate was then in his hands. -In my long career I have seen many instances of -extraordinary glory, and nearly as many of crushing -reverses, but nothing to compare to the history of -which we have just witnessed a chapter.’</p> - -<p>As we were crossing the glacis between the faubourgs -and the city, we espied an open carriage, very -low on its wheels. There seemed scarcely room -enough in it to hold its one huge occupant.</p> - -<p>‘Let us stop and perform our salutations,’ said the -prince. ‘There goes another majesty by the grace -of God and of Robinson Crusoe (Napoleon). There -goes the King of Würtemberg.</p> - -<p>‘Up to the present,’ he went on, ‘you have only -seen royal fêtes. To-morrow I mean to take you to -an entertainment for the people. So much has been -accomplished through the people that they can well -afford to do something for it. I’ll see you to-morrow.’</p> - -<p>The people’s fête is one of the most brilliant -solemnities of Vienna. It had been eagerly looked -forward to for some time.</p> - -<p>Anxious to profit by the invitation of my illustrious -guide, I was at his place before midday.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_84">84</a></span> -Shortly afterwards we set out for the Augarten, where -the fête was to take place.</p> - -<p>The Augarten is situated on the same island of -the Danube as the Prater, by which it is bound on -the east. The park, with its thickly-wooded retreats -and clumps of trees, presented the most varied and -beautiful vegetation, interspersed in all directions -by magnificent avenues. The palace, due to Joseph <span class="smcap smaller">II.</span>, -is a specimen of simple and elegant architecture. An -inscription over the front entrance tells the fact that -this amiable prince-philosopher gave up the building -for the amusement of the nation.</p> - -<p>There was an immense crowd; the weather was -splendid; the stands erected for the sovereigns and -the celebrities of the Congress were filled with most -elegantly dressed spectators of both sexes. The Prince -de Ligne preferred to mingle with the crowd, and I -was glad of it.</p> - -<p>The Austrian veterans, to the number of four thousand, -had been invited to the fête. To the strains of -military music they marched past the stand of the -sovereigns, and afterwards took possession of a -number of spacious tents, set apart for their special -use. There were military sports at frequent intervals -throughout the day.</p> - -<p>They opened with foot races, after which came -races with small Eastern horses, after the manner of -the Barbary horses that contest for speed in the Corso -in Rome. In an open-air circus, the trick-riders and -acrobats of Bach, who are the rivals of Franconi and -Astley of London, performed all kinds of exercises on -foot and on horseback. Further on, the Turnplatz -was occupied by young men who, to the delight of -the spectators, went through a series of gymnastics. -To the left of the palace, on a magnificent greensward, -there stood a pole a hundred feet high, surmounted -by a huge wooden bird with outspread wings. It -served as a target to a company of Tyrolese archers, -experts with the cross-bow. The prize was a beautiful<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_85">85</a></span> -silver-gilt vase. It was hotly contested for, and -finally fell to a son of the celebrated Tyrolese Hofer.</p> - -<p>Finally, an enormous balloon rose in the air. The -aeronaut’s name was Kraskowitz, and he proved a -worthy emulator of Garnerin and Blanchard, for a -short time after his ascent he soared majestically -above the crowd, waving a number of flags of the -various nations whose representatives had forgathered -in Vienna.</p> - -<p>An hour later, the aeronaut, after a unique view of -a splendid scene, came gently down in the island -of Lobau, the spot connected with one of the remarkable -military feats of modern history.</p> - -<p>Then there was an interruption of the games. Sixteen -large tables were spread on a vast lawn, the four -thousand veterans sat down to a profusely served -repast, while from several bandstands, decorated with -standards and panoplies of war, there uprose the -strains of military symphonies. In another part of -the park, four elegantly decorated tents in which -companies of Bohemians, Hungarians, Austrians, and -Tyrolese respectively, in the picturesque dresses of -their countries, performed national dances to the -sound of their own particular instruments, diversified -by their patriotic songs.</p> - -<p>The sovereigns during the whole of the time wandered -about, unescorted, taking stock of everything, -and chatting familiarly with the veterans, many of -whose faces were absolutely riddled with scars. There -was something patriarchal in their thus mingling with -the crowd, which eyed them curiously, respectfully -following them everywhere.</p> - -<p>When night fell, a hundred thousand lamps converted -the Augarten into a blaze of light, and then -there were magnificent fireworks in front of the palace. -The principal pieces represented the monuments of -Milan, Berlin, and St. Petersburg. There was an -immense crowd in the avenues of the Augarten, but -at no moment was order disturbed in the slightest.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_86">86</a></span> -This popular rejoicing was marked by a serious and -thoughtful calm, for which the German character alone, -perhaps, can offer a model.</p> - -<p>At the termination of the fireworks, the sovereigns -strolled through the streets, and were everywhere -hailed with unanimous cheers. Then the entire -Court repaired to the theatre of the Carinthian Gate -to witness the performance of the ballet <cite>Flore et -Zéphire</cite>. All the palaces, mansions, and private -dwellings were most brilliantly illuminated; and -‘transparencies,’ bearing enthusiastic mottoes, had not -been spared. Dancing and music went on throughout -the whole of the night; it was, in fact, an uninterrupted -scene of magnificence and happiness. Joy prevailed -everywhere, a joy due less perhaps to the fête that -had been offered to the people than to the hope of a -durable peace, the price of which had been paid by -many years of constant sacrifices.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_87">87</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2><a id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V</h2> -</div> - -<blockquote> - -<p>The Prater—The Carriages—The Crowd and the Sovereigns—The -Sovereigns’ Incognito—Alexander Ypsilanti—The Vienna Drawing-Rooms—Princesse -Bagration—The Narischkine Family—A Lottery.</p></blockquote> - -<p>I had promised to meet Alexander Ypsilanti in the -grand avenue of the Prater, and at the appointed -time I was there. To me the beautiful spot teemed -with delightful recollections; each scene reminded me -of a fête, of a love-tryst, or of a meeting with friends, -of dreams, of hopes, of illusions, perhaps gone for -ever.</p> - -<p>During a long pilgrimage in my younger days, I -have seen all the renowned public promenades of -Europe, and everywhere the people maintained that -the one adorning their own capital was superior to -any other. I have always preferred the Vienna -Prater to the Bois de Boulogne, to Kensington Gardens, -to the Wood at the Hague, to the Cascines of -Florence, and to all the other vaunted resorts whether -at Moscow, Petersburg, or Constantinople; for in the -first-named spot are united the beauties of nature -that delight the eye, and the sight of a happy condition, -comforting and refreshing to the soul.</p> - -<p>The Prater abuts on the faubourgs of Vienna. It -is situated on one of the islands of the Danube, -which virtually constitutes its boundary. It is -throughout planted with century-old trees, affording -a majestic shade, and preventing the huge greensward -from being scorched by the sun. It is -crossed in every direction by imposing avenues. As -at Schönbrunn, and at the majority of like resorts<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_88">88</a></span> -in Germany, herds of deer browse peacefully on the -heights or disport themselves in the flatter parts, -thus imparting life and motion to the delicious -solitude. These are properly the aspects of a mild -and virgin nature, but at the same time they are -embellished by all the resources of cultivation and -art. To the left of the Prater, on entering it from -the city, there is an immense lawn, set apart for the -display of fireworks; to the right there is a circus -capable of accommodating several thousands of spectators; -facing one, a large avenue of chestnuts, -bordered on each side by elegant constructions, including -a number of shops, cafés, and casinos where -the Viennese can indulge to their hearts’ content in -their well-known love for music.</p> - -<p>In the avenue of chestnuts, constantly filled with -sumptuous carriages and with riders managing their -mounts of all breeds with that peculiar Hungarian -skill, the wealth and display of all the neighbour-states -of Austria seem to have forgathered. The -emperor himself drives an unpretending ‘turn-out’ -with the simplicity of a well-to-do tradesman bent -upon an airing; while a hackney-cab, taken by the -hour, and fearing no competition, gets right into -his imperial majesty’s road, and is itself overtaken -by the vehicle of a Bohemian magnate or by a -Hungarian palatine tooling a four-in-hand. In a -lightly-built <i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">calèche</i>, drawn by horses with manes -streaming in the breeze, are seated women with -complexions like lilies and roses, and presenting -the appearance of baskets of flowers. The constant -variety of the scenes, the animation of the -pedestrians, the general bustle, increased by the -presence of numberless strangers, but tempered by -the constitutional gravity of the Germans themselves, -constitute a most lovely and stirring picture; -it is a scene by Teniers, framed in a landscape by -Ruysdael.</p> - -<p>The life of the Viennese in the Prater is a pretty<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_89">89</a></span> -faithful image of their own government, a despotic -government, no doubt, but which, for all that, has -only one aim—the welfare and material prosperity -of the country. Differing from other states, and -notably from France, whose administration, constantly -libelled and insulted, takes its revenge by -making the ‘governed’ its enemy, the public powers -in Austria, subject to no control, assiduously endeavour -to be the protector and the guide of the people. That -protection is accepted with joy; and if despotism -is now and again constrained to show its teeth, its -dictates are, as it were, carried out in the family -circle and with the lesser or greater consent of the -calm and thoughtful people itself. Consequently, -the alien, watching them under those magnificently -umbrageous pleasure resorts, and beholding the -emperor, his family, and his ministers mingling with -the crowd, unprotected either by guards or escorts, -is tempted to envy them such a genuine and solid -happiness.</p> - -<p>During the period of the Congress the Prater -became more brilliant than it had ever been before. -Vienna was so full of strangers, coming from all -countries to be the eyewitnesses of an assembly supposed -to be the fitting termination to an epoch -replete with prodigious events, that the number of -carriages had incredibly increased. There was an -infinite variety of dresses, Hungarian, Polish, and -Oriental, an infinite number of uniforms whose -wearers hailed from every part of Europe, and who -dazzled the sight with their splendour. Masses of -people, driving, riding, and walking under the still -warm rays of an autumn sun, imparted to the beautiful -spot even more than its ordinary animation.</p> - -<p>What struck me most, at the first sight, was the -great number of carriages of the same shape and -colour, and all drawn by two or four horses. It -was simply the result of another exquisitely courteous -attention of the emperor, who made it a point that<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_90">90</a></span> -the sovereigns and the members of their suites should -be provided solely from the imperial stables, and -as such ordered three hundred conveyances of an -identical form to be built and to be held, day and -night, at the disposal of his guests.</p> - -<p>This living panorama enabled me to review, in -the space of a few minutes, all the sovereigns and -celebrities contained within the walls of Vienna. A -prominent figure among these was Lord Stewart, the -English ambassador, himself driving a team of four -horses which would have won the approval of the -<i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">habitués</i> of Hyde Park. Almost immediately behind -him, in an elegant chaise, came the Emperor Alexander, -his charming sister the Duchess of Oldenburg -seated next to him; while on one side of the conveyance -Prince Eugène de Beauharnais, and on -the other the Crown Prince of Würtemberg, both on -horseback, pay their court, though for different -motives, to the illustrious pair. Alexander had dispensed -with all his decorations, except one, that of -‘l’Épée’ of Sweden, which, to speak the truth, shone -with great elegance and brilliancy on his dark green -uniform. A little further on, in an open <i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">calèche</i>, I -caught sight of Alexander’s second sister, the Grand-Duchess -of Saxe-Weimar, no less charming and graceful -than her elder. Following these comes Emperor -Francis in an unpretending phaeton, accompanied by -his young and sweet consort, his third wife, Marie -Louise of Austria-Este, her comely features beaming -with happiness.</p> - -<p>At that moment, the crowd of pedestrians instinctively -stops with a feeling of pride and respect -to watch Prince Charles (of Bavaria) himself driving -his family in an unpretentious conveyance.</p> - -<p>Zibin, dressed in his brilliant uniform of hussars, -is borne along swiftly on a Ukrainian charger; his -hat is surmounted by a plume of feathers which -might easily be mistaken for the tail of a hirsute -comet. The grand berline, with its panels decorated<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_91">91</a></span> -with large—somewhat too large—scutcheons, contains -Sir Sidney Smith, conspicuous by the liberal display -of his quarterings amidst this very modest company. -The King of Prussia gallops with a solitary aide-de-camp, -and close to him come the Prince of Hesse-Homburg -and Tettenborn, to both of whom I send -a fraternal salute.</p> - -<p>Lord Castlereagh showed his long-drawn face, with -<i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">ennui</i> stamped on every line of it, from a <i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">coupé</i>. -It did not even light up when a hackney-cab ran -into the <i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">calèche</i> of the Pasha of Widin. After this -came the carriages of the archdukes, keeping religiously -in line, and, as far as their amusements -went, claiming no privileges beyond those of simple -private individuals. ‘Only using their rights when -discharging the duties attached to them,’ as Mme. de -Staël expressed it.</p> - -<p>At the turning of an avenue, I caught sight of -Alexander Ypsilanti. Five years had gone by since -our parting at St. Petersburg, when he was only an -ensign in the regiment of the ‘Chevaliers Gardes,’ -and now he was a major-general, covered with well-earned -orders, but minus an arm lost at the battle -of Bautzen. We strolled away from the crowd, -the better to enjoy the pleasure of our re-union. His -good fortune had not changed the qualities of his -heart, ever open to noble feelings and ever responsive -to the words ‘friendship’ and ‘country.’ He was -the son of the Hospodar of Moldavia and Wallachia.<a id="FNanchor_50" href="#Footnote_50" class="fnanchor">50</a> -His father, overthrown by one of those palace revolutions -so frequent in Turkey, was obliged to fly. -Alexander, who was only sixteen, placed himself at -the head of a troop of Arnauts of eight hundred men, -escorted his father across the Carpathian mountains, -and saved his life when escaping from the eunuchs<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_92">92</a></span> -of the seraglio. He came to seek refuge in Russia. -Educated and brought up under the care and through -the generosity of Emperor Alexander, the young -prince entered his service, and in a short time opened -a brilliant career for himself. His generous disposition, -his bold and enterprising mind, his open character -strongly appealed to me, and we became close friends. -As a matter of course, we wished to prolong the -pleasure of this, practically our first meeting after -many years, so we went to dine at the tavern named -the ‘Empress of Austria.’ This was the usual resort -of most of the strangers who were not on the budget -of the Court or who wished to avoid the etiquette -almost inseparable from its hospitality. This gathering, -almost unnoticed at first, became soon afterwards -a kind of debating centre, and had, if not a voice in -the deliberations of the Congress, at any rate, a certain -importance.</p> - -<p>We took our seats at a table, already occupied by -at least a score of diners belonging to various nations. -In spite of the difference of interest and of position -in a country distant from their own, strangers were -most eager to associate with each other: generals, -diplomatists, and simple travellers were mingled -together at this impromptu banquet. Some were -ordnance officers of the sovereigns that had come to -shear; others, advocates of those who were being -shorn. The first part of the repast was, as usual, -rather serious; people were taking stock of each -other, and the music of an excellent band made up -for the lack of conversation. They all seemed bent -upon a diplomatic reserve.</p> - -<p>I was seated near young Luchesini, who had arrived -a few days previously, and who was sent to Vienna by -the Grand-Duchess of Tuscany to concert measures with -M. Aldini on the subject of Mme. Bacciochi’s claims -on the grand-duchy and of the principality of Lucca.<a id="FNanchor_51" href="#Footnote_51" class="fnanchor">51</a><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_93">93</a></span> -I had seen M. Luchesini when he was very young at -his mother’s in Paris; but for the moment I did not -recognise him. The notable changes, both in his -fortunes and in his person, were sufficient to justify -my lapse of memory. His father, the Marquis de -Luchesini, for many years the Prussian ambassador -at the Court of Napoleon, had enjoyed great consideration -in Paris,<a id="FNanchor_52" href="#Footnote_52" class="fnanchor">52</a> a consideration well deserved in virtue -of his conspicuous diplomatic talent and his intellectual -attainments as a private individual. He had -paid great attention to the education of his son, who, -endowed with all the advantages calculated to ensure -success, started in life under the most auspicious circumstances. -Presented by his family at the new Court -of Tuscany, and attracting the notice of the sovereign -of the hour, he was appointed grand equerry. It -was said that love, which abridges social distances, had -made the young favourite the happiest of mortals. I -soon discovered that his delicate position somewhat tied -his tongue in his conversation with me. He informed -me that his family was living on their beautiful -estate near Lucca, and after a few general observations, -we exchanged addresses, promising to meet again.</p> - -<p>To the hundred thousand strangers in Vienna, the -Congress was rather an immense pleasure-gathering -than a political assembly. Truly, each sovereign had -his ambassadors and ministers, but each country had -also sent representatives of its best society. Upon -the first-named devolved the discussions of international -interest and the settlement of international -problems; upon the second the more pleasant -duty of giving fêtes, entertainments, and holding -receptions. Among the plenipotentiaries of this -drawing-room diplomacy stood foremost the Comtesse<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_94">94</a></span> -Edmond de Périgord for France; for Prussia, the Princesse -de la Tour et Taxis (Thurn und Taxis); for -England, Lady Castlereagh; for Denmark, Comtesse -de Bernstorff.</p> - -<p>The upper stratum of German society was divided -into several factions or circles, and each had its particular -shade and physiognomy. At the Princesses -Marie Esterhazy’s, de Colloredo’s, de Lichtenstein’s, -and at the Comtesse de Zichy’s, great courtesy and -grace were added to the minutest and numberless -details of an ever-watchful hospitality. At Mme. -de Fuchs’s, the whole was on a less ceremonious footing; -while, on the contrary, the acme of ceremoniousness -was attained at the Princesse de Fürstenberg’s. -Distinguished both for her learning and for her -energy, the princess’s habitual guests were princes -many of whom had become subjects. The handsome -Duchesse de Sagan’s receptions were eagerly attended. -She was a most intellectual woman, and could have -exercised great influence on all serious affairs, inasmuch -as her judgment was considered in the light of -an authority, but she rarely made use of her advantages. -The diplomatic celebrities forgathered at M. -de Humboldt’s or at M. de Metternich’s, the latter of -whom, undoubtedly, ought to have been named first. -In fact, though his residence was the central point of -affairs, he still found it possible to welcome strangers -with the most indefatigable politeness.</p> - -<p>The Russian drawing-room <i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">par excellence</i> was that -of the Princesse Bagration, the wife of the field-marshal -of that name. She, as it were, enacted, though -informally, the part of principal hostess to her countrymen -who happened to be in Vienna. She was one of -the most brilliant stars in that number of constellations -the Congress had attracted. She seemed to -have been singled out by the charm and the distinction -of her manners to transfer thither the polished -form and the aristocratic ease which at that time -made the drawing-rooms of St. Petersburg the foremost<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_95">95</a></span> -of Europe. In that respect no minister-plenipotentiary -would have used his opportunities to better -purpose.</p> - -<p>The Princesse Bagration, who since then has been -much admired in Paris, was at that period in the -zenith of her beauty. A young face, white like alabaster -and slightly tinted with pink, small features, a -sweet, though very feeling expression, to which her -short-sightedness gave an air of timidity and uncertainty; -of average height though exquisitely proportioned, -and the whole of her personality pervaded -by a kind of Oriental languor joined to an Andalusian -grace—such was, without exaggeration, the charming -hostess entrusted that evening with the amusement -of those illustrious personages often as much bored -as the ‘unamusable’ lover of Mme. de Maintenon.</p> - -<p>When Prince Koslowski and I entered the drawing-rooms, -the Emperor Alexander, the Kings of Prussia -and of Bavaria, several other princes and sovereigns, -and a considerable number of strangers of distinction -had already arrived. The whole of the Russian -aristocracy and the Russian celebrities at that moment -forgathered in Vienna seemed to have appointed to -meet there. MM. de Nesselrode, Pozzo di Borgo, -the Comte Razumowski, Russian ambassador to the -Austrian Court, and the Prince Volkonski were simply -a trifle more conspicuous than the rest; but among -this crowd of familiar faces I might well have -fancied myself transferred to one of the hospitable -palaces of St. Petersburg four years previously.</p> - -<p>Among this crowd of notabilities, special mention -should be made, in virtue of their high position and -their intellectual charm, of the various members of the -Narischkine family.</p> - -<p>The Narischkines are closely related to the Imperial -House of Russia. The mother of Peter the Great was -a Narischkine; hence they consider themselves of -an origin too noble to have any need of titles. In -fact, that of ‘prince’ is so common in Russia as<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_96">96</a></span> -scarcely to constitute a distinction. The elder of the -two brothers enjoyed the reputation of being the -wittiest man at the Court of Emperor Alexander. -His conversation was as varied as it was amusing, and -a collection of his witticisms and epigrams would -make a bulky volume, though they were neither as -subtle nor as brilliant as those of the Prince de Ligne, -not to mention those of Talleyrand; but when by -chance, during the Congress, these three men were -together, then, unquestionably, there was a real display -of intellectual fireworks.</p> - -<p>His daughter, the Princesse Hélène, had, in addition -to great physical beauty, a naturally brilliant -intellect and a noble, sympathetic heart. She married -the son of the famous General Souvaroff, but her -husband was drowned during a journey in Wallachia. -In spite of the warning of his post-boy, he insisted -upon crossing the little river Rimnik when it was -swollen by the rains and had become a downright -torrent. He was carried away by the current, without -the slightest possibility of any one coming to his -aid. At the time of Paul <span class="smcap smaller">I.</span>‘s death, the princess’s -father occupied an apartment exactly under that of -the emperor; she herself was a mere babe. Awakened -by the noise and tumult that followed the assassination -of Catherine the Great’s son, her nurse took her into -her arms, and in her fear hid her in an isolated and -disused sentry-box, where she was only found next -morning.</p> - -<p>The grand-chamberlain had been a favourite with -Paul and managed to preserve the favour of his son -Alexander. The footing on which he lived baffles -description: he literally kept open house, the stir and -bustle of which never ceased; one could have called -it a caravanserai of princes. The plants, the flowers, -the constant song of birds, conveyed the impression, -even in mid-winter, of a spring day in Italy. He was -as generous as he was lavish, and his prodigality -often reduced him to sore straits. The following is<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_97">97</a></span> -one instance among many. Emperor Alexander had -given him the star of the Order of St. Andrew, magnificently -set in diamonds. Being pressed for money, -he had raised a considerable sum upon it; and when -the empress’s fête-day came round, he felt in a terrible -predicament, for he was unable to redeem his -pledge and he could not appear without it in full -dress at the palace. The only ‘plaque’ like it was -that of the emperor himself. At an utter loss to get -out of the difficulty, he got hold of the emperor’s -valet, and by dint of promises, cajoling and the like, -prevailed upon the servant to lend him his master’s -decoration. The man got frightened, however, at -the possible consequences of what he had done and -informed the sovereign.</p> - -<p>Alexander did not breathe a single word, but as a -punishment did not take his eyes off the ‘plaque’ -during the whole of the evening, examining it minutely -through his glasses whenever his chamberlain -drew near.</p> - -<p>M. Narischkine accompanied Empress Elisabeth on -her journey from St. Petersburg to Vienna. When -Alexander entrusted him with the mission, fifty thousand -roubles in paper were handed to his chamberlain, -together with directions for the route to be followed. -A few days later, the emperor took Narischkine -aside. ‘You had the parcel I sent you, cousin mine?’ -asked the emperor.</p> - -<p>‘Yes, sire, I received and read the first volume of -the Itinerary.’</p> - -<p>‘Already? And you are waiting for the second?’</p> - -<p>‘A second edition, sire, rather than a second volume.’</p> - -<p>‘I see what you mean. A second edition, revised -and augmented.’</p> - -<p>The second edition was handed to him a couple of -hours afterwards.</p> - -<p>His brother, the ‘grand veneur’ (say, ‘Master of the -Buck Hounds’), was the husband of that magnificent -Marie Antonia, <i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">née</i> Princesse Czerwertinska, one of<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_98">98</a></span> -the loveliest women in Europe, who for such a long -period held captive the heart of the handsome -autocrat. Though not endowed with as much wit -as his elder, the younger Narischkine was by no -means devoid of it. He proved it by the philosophic -manner with which he bore his conjugal misfortunes. -Often, in his replies to the emperor, he put them in -a naïve and diverting light. It was not the grovelling -acquiescence of a man who glories in his dishonour, -but the resignation to an evil which he could neither -prevent nor mend.</p> - -<p>One day Alexander was asking him for news of his -children. ‘Of mine, sire, or of those of the Crown?’ -was the counter-query.</p> - -<p>On another occasion, there was a similar inquiry -about his family and about his two daughters. The -emperor, meeting him, made some kindly reference -to them. ‘But, sire, the second is yours,’ replied the -‘grand veneur.’ Alexander’s sole retort was a -smile.</p> - -<p>Of course, the satire of the elder, which spared -nobody, was not particularly lenient with regard to -the younger. The latter took great pains with his -hair, which was always dressed and curled with the -utmost care. Some one having made a remark to -that effect in the hearing of the grand-chamberlain, -got his answer pat. ‘It is not surprising; my brother’s -head is arranged by the hands of a master.’<a id="FNanchor_53" href="#Footnote_53" class="fnanchor">53</a></p> - -<p>During this long liaison, and notwithstanding -the sway handsome Mme. Narischkine exercised over -her illustrious lover, the latter was ever careful to -save appearances. Amidst those quickly succeeding -entertainments and receptions at the period of the -Congress, during that daily and hourly existence of -often relaxed etiquette. Empress Elisabeth would -have been necessarily and frequently brought face to<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_99">99</a></span> -face with her rival, and would naturally have felt -the slight. Mme. Narischkine did not appear at the -Congress.</p> - -<p>Close by the Emperor of Russia sat the Princesse -de la Tour et Taxis, <i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">née</i> Mecklenburg-Strelitz, and -sister-in-law to the King of Prussia. That sovereign -had practically transferred to her all the affection he -bore to his lost wife: the princess had a remarkable -influence over him, and she never requested a favour -in vain. Gifted with a superior intellect, and a -beauty that had become proverbial, though it did not -equal that of her dead sister, the princess, by her -charming manners, even more than her stately bearing, -compelled instantaneous admiration and genuine -respect. Among the many distinguished personages -assembled in Vienna, she shone with unusual brilliancy -in virtue of her combining every good quality.</p> - -<p>I was placed close to Prince Koslowski and the -Baron Ompteda, and felt confident that among so -numerous a company ample material would be -afforded to them for their faculties of clever observation.</p> - -<p>‘Just cast your eye behind the chair of Emperor -Alexander,’ remarked the Baron to me; ‘and look at -his brother, the Grand-duke Constantine. He is the -third personage of the empire, and probably the heir-presumptive -to the throne. Nevertheless, observe -his servile attitude, and the affectation with which, -as it were, he proclaims himself the Czar’s first subject. -One would think him permeated with the sentiment -of submission as others are with the feeling of -liberty. Personally, I fail to understand this voluptuous -enjoyment of obedience. And now,’ he went -on, ‘glance at that other personage close to him; that -is the young Prince de Reuss, the twenty-ninth of -the name. In his case, it’s a horse of a different -colour. He has tumbled or drifted into the dreamland -of I do not know what kind of German sect -or school, and has become imbued with a sort of<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_100">100</a></span> -affected sentimentalism calculated to spoil the most -sterling and happiest gifts of nature. This vague -sentimentality, which he professes in and out of -season, inspires him with the strangest ideas. A few -days ago, he wrote to a lady, seated not far away -from us: “Hope constantly renewed and equally -constantly destroyed only keeps one alive to languish -suspended like Mahomet’s coffin between heaven and -earth. It is for you to decide ... it is a question -of your love or my death.” He has not had the one -given to him, and he has taken good care not to inflict -the other upon himself. And thus, from sheer lightness -of heart, people adopt ridiculous fads, far often -less pardoned by the world at large than real faults. -His uncle, Henri <span class="smcap smaller">XV.</span> or Henri <span class="smcap smaller">XVI.</span>, the actual civil -and military governor of Vienna, is somewhat more -positive. Frederick the Great one day asked him if -the princes of his house were numbered like hackney-carriages. -“No, sire, not like hackney-carriages, but -like kings,” was the answer. Frederick must have -been somewhat embarrassed at the reply; nevertheless -it pleased him, as everything witty and spontaneous -did, and from that moment Prince Henri -always enjoyed his favour and goodwill.’</p> - -<p>Shortly afterwards Prince Koslowski drew my -attention to a lady placed near Empress Elisabeth. -It was the Comtesse Tolstoy, <i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">née</i> Princesse Baratynski, -the wife of the grand-marshal. Her mother belonged -to the Holstein family, and was a cousin once removed -of Catherine <span class="smcap smaller">II.</span></p> - -<p>‘You are probably aware,’ he said, ‘that the marshal -is in disgrace?’</p> - -<p>‘Yes, prince,’ I answered; ‘but I do not know the -cause.’</p> - -<p>‘The cause is this. Tolstoy, emboldened by the -emperor’s indulgent manner towards him, thought fit -now and again to adopt a tone of remonstrance which -few sovereigns would have tolerated. He opposed -him in almost everything. Alexander often laughed<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_101">101</a></span> -at his fretful remarks; at rare intervals he got angry, -and retaliated in his own way. When both happened -to be travelling in an open sledge and Tolstoy’s -cavilling put the czar out of patience, he simply gave -him a push which sent him sprawling in the snow, -and left him to run for a few minutes after the light -conveyance. When he considered that the punishment -had lasted long enough, he pulled up his horses, -and the marshal, grumbling all the while, resumed his -seat by the side of his master, and the matter was -at an end. Convinced that things would go on for -ever in that way, Tolstoy raised an opposition to -Alexander’s appearance at the Congress. According -to him, the emperor’s rôle there would not be consistent -with his dignity. Weary at last, the emperor -this time took the matter seriously and parted with -his grand-marshal, who, it is said, will not be comforted -in his disgrace. The moral of all this is: -“Put not your trust in the friendship of princes.”’</p> - -<p>In fact, a little while afterwards, the Comte Tolstoy, -unable to survive the loss of his sovereign’s favour, -died at Dresden, whither he had retired.</p> - -<p>All at once a great silence fell upon the room. A -young French actress, Mme. L——, a pupil of Talma, -and a protégée of the Princesse Bagration, was going -to recite. She had only recently arrived from Paris. -Though French tragic poetry stands essentially in -need of the illusion of the stage and the advantage of -costume, that kind of entertainment was not indulged -in so lavishly as it is to-day; hence, the handsome -actress commanded great attention. She recited with -much feeling some strophes from <cite>Zaïre</cite>, and did -great credit to her tutor in the beautiful scene of the -‘<cite>Songe d’Athalie</cite>.’ She was cordially applauded and -complimented, and never had a <i>débutante</i> such an -audience to judge her.</p> - -<p>After this, the guests crowded round a table set -out with rich and elegant objects. There was to be -a lottery, a kind of elegant diversion revived from<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_102">102</a></span> -the Court of Louis <span class="smcap smaller">XIV.</span>, whose love for Mlle. de la -Vallière had first suggested it to him. Then, as now, -it was a favourite recreation with women. Each -sovereign contributed to these lotteries one or more -presents, which, falling to the lot of the lucky ones, -afforded these an opportunity of presenting them to -the ladies of their thought. That kind of amusement -was frequently repeated during the Congress. The -most remarkable lotteries were those drawn at the -Princesse Marie Esterhazy’s and at Mme. Bruce’s, <i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">née</i> -Moushkin-Poushkine. The mania for them spread -from the drawing-rooms to less distinguished places, -and subsequently became the cause of an adventure -which aroused much excitement.</p> - -<p>Some of the prizes were magnificent, the Grand-duke -Constantine won two magnificent vases contributed -by the King of Prussia from the royal -porcelain works at Berlin. He offered them to our -charming hostess. The King of Bavaria won a handsome -box in mosaic, which he begged Princesse Marie -Esterhazy to accept; and the Comte Capo d’Istria -drew a casket beautifully worked in steel, which he -presented to the Princesse Volkonski. Two small -bronze candlesticks fell to the share of Emperor -Alexander. He gave them to Mlle. L——, to whom, -it was said, he had become very attentive. ‘His -majesty’s love affairs are not likely to entail any considerable -draft on the imperial treasury,’ some one -whispered close to me. ‘He had just made Mlle. -L—— a present, by means of the candlesticks, of a -few louis. This must be accounted as a piece of -tremendous generosity, for as a rule he receives more -than he gives. All the linen he wears is from the -deft needle of Mme. Narischkine; he not only -accepts the workmanship, but he always forgets to -refund to her the cost of the material. The charming -favourite makes no secret of it. Louis <span class="smcap smaller">XIV.</span> frequently -crops up in conversation in connection with his fêtes -at Versailles. Our sovereigns would do well to imitate<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_103">103</a></span> -them. However artistically chased those candlesticks -may be, Mlle. L—— will not be prepared to think -them as valuable as the diamond bracelets the Grand -Monarque won at Madame’s lottery and which he -offered in such an exquisite manner to La Vallière.’<a id="FNanchor_54" href="#Footnote_54" class="fnanchor">54</a></p> - -<p>‘All this,’ said Prince Koslowski to me, ‘is certainly -in excellent taste, but these fêtes are absolutely nothing -in comparison with those given by Potemkin -to Catherine in the Taurida and after the taking of -Oczakoff. Our mothers are never tired of talking of -them. There was also a kind of lottery, but skill instead -of chance presided at it. In the ball-room there -was a long row of marble columns, positively hung -with garlands composed of jewels and trinkets. The -dances were arranged so that every gentleman passing -near these columns could detach from them some -precious ornament which he offered to his partner. -As you may imagine, that courtly fashion of offering -presents was intensely relished by the fair sex, and -Catherine herself discharged their debt of gratitude -by heaping still greater riches on her favourite. -That’s what I should call amusements fit for -sovereigns. After all, we are becoming very mean.’</p> - -<p>A great many prizes of minor importance were subsequently -drawn for, and there was a kind of mild -‘give and take’ in connection with them. The room -was so crowded that I only caught sight of Ypsilanti -when he came forward to receive a sable cape which -he offered to the Princesse Souvaroff. Taking advantage -of a momentary thinning of the crowd, I drew -up to them to say a few words to Princesse Hélène, -whom I was sincerely pleased to meet again. ‘I dare -say we have a lot to tell each other,’ she said. ‘Come -with Ypsilanti to luncheon to-morrow. We’ll be -more at our ease than here, and by ourselves. We’ll -have a talk about bygone days.’ I accepted gladly,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_104">104</a></span> -confident that her conversation would remind me of -my stay in Russia, which constituted one of the best -periods of my life.</p> - -<p>When the sovereigns had retired, there were some -music and dancing, followed by an elegant supper, -without restraint and during which one could gossip -to one’s heart’s content. It was, in short, one of -those series of fleeting hours which at Vienna seemed -to be woven of gold and silk by fairies in the loom of -pleasure.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_105">105</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2><a id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI</h2> -</div> - -<blockquote> - -<p>The Castle of Laxemburg—Heron-Hawking—The Empress of Austria—A -Royal Hunt—Fête at the Ritterburg—A Recollection of Christina -of Sweden—Constance and Theodore, or the Blind Husband—Poland—Scheme -for her Independence—The Comte Arthur -Potocki—The Prince de Ligne and Isabey—The Prince de Ligne’s -House on the Kalemberg—Confidential Chats and Recollections—The -Empress Catherine <span class="smcap smaller">II.</span>—Queen Marie-Antoinette—Mme. de -Staël—Casanova.</p></blockquote> - -<p>‘These sovereigns on their holidays,’ as the Prince de -Ligne called them, had to be constantly amused, or -at any rate prevented at all cost from being bored. -The committee appointed by the emperor, and composed -of the most eminent personages of the Austrian -Court, cudgelled their brains to devise a new diversion -for each day. They were, above all, very busy -with the preparations for the great imperial tournament -which, it was intended, should constitute a -never-to-be-forgotten feature of the brilliant functions -of the Congress. The cut, the shape, and the -colour of the dresses were matters of incessant study; -the horses were drilled every day; the champions -spent many hours rehearsing the various movements -and passes which were to remind all of us of the -ancient days of chivalry; the ladies tried on the magnificent -gowns and ornaments, the historical accuracy -of which was to carry the suffrages of everybody -by pleasing the eye. But pending the termination -of those busy preparations, a big hunt had been -organised in the woods and park of the imperial -residence, Laxemburg, and numerous invitations -issued.</p> - -<p>Laxemburg is about six miles from Schönbrunn.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_106">106</a></span> -The park is laid out on English models. There are -densely-wooded plantations at irregular intervals, -further on vast lawns leading to thick and sombre -forests; swelling tracts of ground ingeniously -arranged, and masses of rocks; everywhere the most -varied and unexpected vistas. In one word, art has -combined in a restricted space the different beauties -of nature. The most conspicuous feature, though, is -a magnificent piece of water, one might call it a lake, -the aspect of which reminds one of the landscapes of -Switzerland. On its limpid surface there lay at that -period a miniature frigate with its cannon, masts and -rigging, and other small craft, the brilliant bunting -of which imparted life and colour to the rippling, -dancing wavelets.</p> - -<p>Schönbrunn had been the object of Maria-Theresa’s -predilection, consequently Laxemburg had suffered as -a residence at the cost of its neighbour. Emperor -Francis made up for the undeserved neglect. On a -slope some short distance from the lake, he erected the -‘Ritterburg,’ which has become one of the principal -sights of Austria. It is an exact imitation of one of -the sombre castles or forbidding manors of mediæval -feudalism. The massive walls, flanked by crenellated -towers, are surrounded by a deep moat filled with -water. The inner court, with its pavilions, its -barriers, the whole arranged for single combats and -tournaments, forms the lists. The halls are in keeping -with the court; they are filled with stands of -arms, coats of mail, breastplates, lances, etc. From its -Gothic pillars hang panoplies; from its ogival arches -are suspended banners, their staffs adjusted amidst -turbans, richly embroidered, Oriental vestments, the -spoil wrested from the infidels; in short, the relics of -the victories that saved Christianity.</p> - -<p>In another hall are preserved weapons, dresses, and -other venerable remains of the heroes whose prowess -founded the German Empire, of Rudolph of Hapsburg, -of Maximilian <span class="smcap smaller">I.</span>, and of Charles <span class="smcap smaller">V.</span><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_107">107</a></span> -Still further on, there is a hall hung with the cloaks -of the first Knights of the Golden Fleece. In a hall -leading out of that one stand the white marble effigies -of the emperors sprung from the House of Austria. -These are succeeded by a series of vast reception -rooms, several of which are most admirable in virtue -of their decoration. There is no longer an attempt -at imitating the Gothic style; they are filled with -the marvels of art of the period itself—that is, the -masterpieces spared by the hand of time, most exquisite -specimens of sculpture, delicately-worked panels, -whole ceilings. All these precious relics were collected -from the convents suppressed at the period of -the building of the ‘Ritterburg.’ Everything calculated -to heighten the illusion was conveyed to the -‘Ritterburg.’ In one spot there is a narrow winding -stair, leading to a dungeon, or rather a torture-chamber, -with its massive doors, its irons and chains, -and even its instruments of torture. Crouching -against the further wall, there is the figure of an -ill-fated prisoner, dressed as a Knight Templar and -bending beneath the weight of his fetters. By some -ingenious mechanism, he slowly and painfully drags -himself with an effort from his sitting posture to hold -out his arms to the spectator. The gruesome imitation -is so perfect as to produce a shudder in the -beholder.</p> - -<p>The topmost story of that tower is a spacious -room called the Hall of Judgment. Narrow ogival -windows admit only a sparse light. Twelve stone -seats are ranged in a circle along the walls. In the -centre there is a round table with a circular hole in -it, big enough to admit a human head and no more. -On the day of his trial the accused man was bound to -a chair; by means of a contrivance consisting of ropes -and pulleys, he was quickly raised to the summit of -the tower, and suddenly his head emerged from the -hole in the board. Before the interrogatory, he was -asked the whole truth; he replied, knowing that at<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_108">108</a></span> -the slightest sign from his judges the rope attached -to his chair could be cut and he himself be flung from -a height of two hundred feet on to the stones of his -dungeon. Nothing could give a more striking idea -of the terrible ‘proceedings’ of feudal justice in the -Middle Ages than this mechanism.</p> - -<p>The committee entrusted with the programme of -the fêtes had, it was said, entertained the idea of -giving a representation of a judiciary ascension as -described; the scene had even been cast. The -Empress of Austria was, however, of opinion that -such a picture of anguish and torture would only -mar the brightness of the fête she was preparing for -her guests.</p> - -<p>The chapel of the ‘Ritterburg’ is not the least of -its curiosities. It is the same which was constructed -by St. Leopold in the twelfth century at Kloster-Neuburg. -The materials were transferred piecemeal -to its present site, and the monument is in perfect -keeping with all those relics of past days.</p> - -<p>Among the many works of art in the Castle of -Laxemburg itself, there are several paintings by -Canaletto; amongst others views of Schönbrunn, of -the Graben, and the Church of the Capuchins.</p> - -<p>Maria-Theresa came now and again to Laxemburg -to exchange the cares of state for the relaxations of -hawking. The ‘Ritterburg’ had not been built then.</p> - -<p>When, amidst the difficulties of finding new recreations, -the fêtes committee conceived the project of -bringing the guests of the Congress to Laxemburg -and entertaining them there, the idea of ‘flying’ the -hawk naturally presented itself. In the vicinity of -that Gothic castle nothing could be more in harmony -with the style of its construction than an amusement -borrowed from the traditions and manners of the -feudal ages.</p> - -<p>The place of meeting was on the banks of the lake, -not far from a marshy spot tenanted by numerous -flocks of water-birds. Foremost among the company<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_109">109</a></span> -was the lovely Empress of Austria, famed for her -love of sport and her marvellous skill, the graceful -Elizabeth, Empress of Russia, Queen Caroline of -Bavaria, her sister, and a number of ladies, several of -whom wore the elegant costume of the sixteenth -century. At the head of the sovereigns on horseback -was Emperor Francis, unflaggingly hospitable. -Amidst them, in a low-wheeled <i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">calèche</i>, is the enormous -King of Würtemberg, famed for his former -hunts and hunting exploits, and anxious to witness -tranquil amusement, altogether unlike the fatigues -and perils he was wont to court.</p> - -<p>The huntsmen in their handsome uniforms, holding -their dogs in leash, come first; then come the falconers -with their hooded birds on their wrists, and behind -these the eager mass of spectators.</p> - -<p>At a spot where the reeds and rushes impede the -view of the lake, there is a halt, and the dogs’ leashes -are slipped to start the birds. The air rings with -barking, and all eyes are strained upward in expectation -of the struggle, somewhat novel to the majority. -All of a sudden, a grey-plumaged heron takes its -flight, at first slowly, heavily, and with listless -movement; then spreading its wings it rises rapidly. -At the sight of the bird, promising not an easy victory -but a protracted struggle, the falconers get ready, -encouraging <em>their</em> birds with their cries, awaiting a -signal from the empress to give the first pursuer -flight.</p> - -<p>The signal is given, and in the twinkling of an eye -the hood is removed from one of the hawks and it is -set free. The falconer points to the fleeing heron, the -impatient hawk shakes its pinions, utters a cry, and -quick as lightning soars aloft. The affrighted heron -tries in vain to rise higher than his pursuer, but the -latter directs its flight in such a manner as to be constantly -hovering above its quarry. Each attempt of -the heron meets with a counter-move on the part of -the hawk, compelling its victim to descend. If the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_110">110</a></span> -heron shows signs of returning to the starting-point -where the hunters are, the hawk, swift as a flash, -bars its progress in that direction and forces it to take -the opposite one; it keeps worrying the other bird, -tiring it and practically dazzling it by the repeated -beating of its pinions, until it finally brings it back -to the point within an easy view of the spectators of -the struggle. The heron at length determines upon -resistance. Steadily pursuing its course, and apparently -motionless, it presents its long bill, sharp like a -sword, to its foe. The hawk, on its part, decides -upon attack. Rapidly wheeling round and round -the heron, it lowers its flight, then re-ascends and -all at once grips the flanks of its victim. Then -begins a veritable struggle at close quarters, with all -its fury and all its rapidly changing incidents.</p> - -<p>The heron has the first advantage; it aims a terrible -stroke at its adversary, piercing it between the neck -and one of its pinions as if with a dagger. The hawk, -nevertheless, clings to the heron and rends the latter’s -flesh with its beak. The heron quickly follows up its -strokes; compelled to fight and at the same time to -carry the weight of its foe, it multiplies its attack -without getting rid of its assailant, and the blood of -both stains their plumage crimson. In spite of this, -the hawk looks like getting the worse of it. There is -a longer interval between its attacks, which are -neither as fierce nor as sure as heretofore, and the -victory bids fair to remain with the heron, when the -falconer despatches a second hawk from among those -which, though hooded up to now, seem aware of the -struggle going on, to judge by the flapping of their -wings and the sudden stiffening of their feathers. -The freshly-despatched combatant is a hen-bird, -easily recognised by its beautiful brown plumage, for -it is noteworthy that among this species the females -are bigger, stronger, and bolder than the males. No -sooner is the hood removed than the female rises -into the air and, disdaining all preliminary evolutions,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_111">111</a></span> -fastens its beak into the neck of the heron. The air -is rent by the cries of the hunters, the barking of the -dogs, and the braying of the horns. The heron’s -resistance is, from that moment, useless. The new -assailant virtually smothers it, and, moreover, digs -its claws into the heron’s back, while the male, its -strength revived by the timely aid of the female, -renews its attacks. It becomes merely a question of -seconds with the ill-fated heron. After a few spasmodic -movements, rendered uncertain by the loss of blood, -it finally closes its eyes and drops to the earth. The -two hawks utter screeches of victory, tear their -victim’s eyes out, and without letting go of it for -a moment, drag it to the falconer’s feet.</p> - -<p>According to the ancient usages of the chase, a -huntsman stepped forward at that moment, and, -plucking from the heron’s neck its fine and elegant -plumage, constituting as it were a natural aigrette, -he handed it to Emperor Alexander, who, in his turn, -immediately offered it to the lovely Empress of -Austria. The horns sounded ‘the death,’ while the -birds devoured their quarry, and the illustrious guests -crowded round the falconers to compliment them.</p> - -<p>This, after all, was only the prelude to a more -important sporting item of the programme. Every -care had been taken to ensure its success. The -signal for a new start was given, and we moved -towards another part of the park, where on an immense -lawn surrounded by trees a vast arena had -been arranged for the guns. At one side there was -a circular stand for the guests of the Court. The -sovereigns and the high personages in whose honour -the entertainment was given took up their positions, -each one provided with four pages charged with loading -the guns, in order to spare the principals the -slightest fatigue.</p> - -<p>The general beating-up had taken place on the -previous night. At the word of command from the -empress the circle of beaters drew in, and at the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_112">112</a></span> -same moment from all the outlets of the wood, there -emerged a numberless quantity of wild-boars, deer, -hares, and game of all kind, which in a few moments -were killed by the privileged marksmen, amidst the -general applause of the lookers-on.</p> - -<p>My friends and I had taken up our positions a -little distance away from the Empress of Austria, who -was using only a musket, loaded with ball, and who -aimed exclusively at hares or small game, which she -never missed.</p> - -<p>This file-firing, or rather this kind of slaughter, only -ceased when the number of animals killed amounted -to several thousands. Once more the forest rang with -the barking of the dogs, the cries of the spectators, -mingled with the sound of hunting-horns. The -ground literally disappeared under the heaped-up -game, its blood still trickling. Truly, after the noble -struggle we had just witnessed, it became difficult not -to admit that the amusements of our fathers were -superior to ours.</p> - -<p>Ypsilanti seemed surprised at the remarkable skill -of the Empress of Austria, and at the steadiness of -her aim. Without for a moment wishing to detract -from either, I told him what I had seen in the arsenal -at Stockholm, namely, a long carabine which was -loaded with a single pellet of the smallest shot, and -with which, it is said, Queen Christina amused -herself by bringing down the flies on the walls of her -rooms without ever missing one.</p> - -<p>Soon after the termination of the sport, night set -in rapidly. Suddenly, as if at the touch of a magic -wand, the lawn and the avenues of the park were -lighted up by enormous ‘pitch-pots,’ known in Turkey -as <em>machala</em>, the blaze of which carries very far. -At the same moment, the inside of the ‘Ritterburg’ -was illuminated from roof to basement for the reception -of the illustrious guests who were going to -assemble there. When Emperor Francis constructed -the castle as an exact illustration of the ideas prevailing<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_113">113</a></span> -during the feudal era, he certainly did not -foresee the forgathering under its roof in one day of -such a number of illustrious personages, from emperors -to knights. Though only those provided with invitations -had been admitted to Laxemburg, their number -was so great as to make perambulation in the various -halls and reception rooms exceedingly difficult. The -animated crowd, and the profusion of light constituted -the strangest and most striking contrast to the sombre -arches, the panoplies, the dresses and the ornaments -of mediæval times.</p> - -<p>The lovely imperial hostess did the honours of the -feudal manor with her usual grace. A magnificent -collation was served, to which succeeded a concert of -a peculiar kind. In a corner of the principal hall -there was an enormous organ; its construction, sound, -and ornaments faithfully recalling the machines with -brass pipes and bellows with which the piety of -our forefathers provided the cathedrals of the Middle -Ages. The deep tones of the organ were accompanied -by a band of wind instruments, played by musicians -expressly brought from Bohemia, where instrumental -music appears to have reached perfection. To complete -the illusion, they had selected some of the old -national melodies, the traditions of which have been -preserved for centuries. In the intervals, huntsmen, -placed on a tower overlooking the castle, played -hunting tunes that sounded like an echo coming from -the skies.</p> - -<p>On several occasions during previous concerts, I -had noticed a young man whose eyes were covered -with a black bandage, and who was guided through -the crowd by a young lady with an elegant figure, but -whose face was hidden by a thick veil. This time -they were close to the organ, and they evidently -enjoyed the music greatly. I asked the Comte -François de Palfi who were these young people, -imparting an air of sadness to a fête rather than partaking -of its joys.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_114">114</a></span> -‘That young man,’ he answered, ‘is the Comte -Hadick, the young woman is his wife, and their story -is most interesting.</p> - -<p>‘Bound by a very close friendship, additionally -cemented by long and important services to each -other, the Comtes Hadick and Amady made up their -minds to tighten these bonds still further by uniting -in marriage their children, who were about the same -age. Théodore Hadick, the only offspring of the -illustrious family, was in consequence brought up with -young Constance, who from her infancy bade fair to -be as kind in disposition as she was beautiful in face -and figure. At fifteen the feelings of these two young -people were already what they would continue to be -all their lives. The castles of the two magnates were -practically adjacent to each other. Constance, by being -present at the lessons of her young friend, easily learned -all those exercises calculated to impart both bodily and -mental gracefulness without being hurtful to beauty. -What united them still more was their passionate -fondness for music, which passion appears innate with -the Hungarians. They were held up everywhere as -models of perfection and virtue, and their fathers -were already discussing the time of their wedding, -when the war broke out.</p> - -<p>‘As you are aware, the laws of Hungary compel -every noble personally to fight for his country; and -in the periods of great danger, when the whole of -the nation rushes to arms, the magnates march -with their banners at the head of their vassals. The -Comte Hadick, jealous for the honour of his house, -was very anxious for his son to share the forthcoming -campaign. Constance, hiding her grief, and -solely occupied with the future and the glory of -her betrothed, watched with great courage the preparations -for a parting which the chances of war -might prolong and render eternal.</p> - -<p>‘Theodore, impatient to devote himself to his -country, hurried the moment that was to afford<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_115">115</a></span> -him the chance of showing himself still more worthy -of the girl whom he loved, and the day of his departure -was finally fixed upon. The previous evening, -though, the betrothal took place at the castle, and it -was with the certainty of Constance’s hand that the -young count at the head of his vassals went to join -the Hungarian army at Pesth. You know the result -of the campaign. The Hungarians kept up their -reputation for brilliant valour. Théodore, in virtue -of several signal actions, deserved the cross conferred -upon him by the chapter of the Order of Maria-Theresa, -a distinction considered one of the foremost -in the annals of chivalry.</p> - -<p>‘But while the young man supped full with glory, -Constance had been carried to the brink of the grave -by a cruel illness. Stricken down by an attack of -most virulent smallpox, she hovered for a long time -between life and death. The doctors, while saving her, -could not prevent the face which had been one of the -most beautiful from becoming almost hideous. She -was only allowed to look at herself when she was on -the high road to recovery.</p> - -<p>‘The sight, as you may imagine, filled her with -despair, and, convinced that Théodore could no longer -love her under such conditions, she ardently prayed -for death.</p> - -<p>‘In vain her father and the Comte Hadick tried to -reassure her. Haunted by the horrible dread of being -no longer worthy of her betrothed, she refused to be -comforted, and the young girl was simply dying of -despair, there being not the faintest hope left.</p> - -<p>‘Nevertheless, one morning, when she was nestling -in the arms of her father, who bade her live at least -for him, the servant who had accompanied Théodore -to the war suddenly rushed into the apartment, -announcing the immediate coming of his master, -whose voice, a moment afterwards, was heard outside.</p> - -<p>‘“Constance, Constance, where art thou?”</p> - -<p>‘At that voice so dear to her, the young girl, lacking<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_116">116</a></span> -the courage to fly, covered her face with her -handkerchief and her hands.</p> - -<p>‘“Do not come near me, Théodore, I have lost my -beauty. I have no longer anything to offer thee but -my heart.”</p> - -<p>‘“What do I hear? But look at me, Constance!”</p> - -<p>‘“No, no, thou wouldst only recoil at seeing me.”</p> - -<p>‘“What does it matter, if thy love is the same, -Constance. Constance, I can no longer see thee.”</p> - -<p>‘She raises her eyes and looks. Théodore was -blind. The charge of a musket had deprived him of -his sight.</p> - -<p>‘“God be praised!” exclaimed Constance, falling on -her knees. “Théodore, we shall be united, for thou -canst still love me. I shall be thy guide; yes, I shall -be to thee as I was in the first moments of our love, -and thou shalt be able to love me still.”</p> - -<p>‘Shortly after that they were married. Never was -there a couple so deserving of happiness more really -happy than they. The comtesse takes her husband -everywhere, never leaving his side for a moment. -He is the object of her most delicate attentions; her -love for him seems increased by his terrible affliction. -She does not wear that veil to hide her scarred -features, but because she is afraid that the remarks of -the crowd on her vanished beauty may sadden the -heart of the husband whom she worships.</p> - -<p>‘The young comte’s passion for music appears to -have increased since he lost his sight. He regularly -attends every concert; and his faithful companion, -who appears only to live for him, is always at his side.’</p> - -<p>The concert came to an end just as the comte finished -his touching story. Then the windows were opened -and magnificent fireworks let off on the lake. The -sheaves of fire crossing each other and being reflected -in the water; the numerous craft, illuminated and -streaming with bunting; the masses of light standing -in relief against the sombre background of the forest; -the sound of the horns mingling with the shells and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_117">117</a></span> -fusees—all this combined produced a truly magical -effect.</p> - -<p>Finally, after this well-spent day we began to think -of getting back to Vienna, probably to recommence -next morning the pursuit of the apparently inexhaustible -round of pleasure.</p> - -<p>The next day, however, I had promised to spend -with the Prince de Ligne at his house on the Kalemberg. -When I got there, I found the prince in -company with M. Nowosilitzoff, a Russian statesman -of great ability and a trusty adviser of Emperor -Alexander, who, it was said at the time, was deeply -interested in the future of Poland. The constitution -of that country, its organisation and its institutions, -which were to reinstate her in her former rank among -the European nations—in short, her destiny—was one -of the gravest questions submitted to the deliberations -of the Congress. A most confidential councillor of the -czar and a member of the provisional government of -Warsaw, M. Nowosilitzoff was at that period engaged -in drawing up the constitution intended by the czar -for his new kingdom.</p> - -<p>The Prince de Ligne professed an ardent sympathy -for Poland. He admired her chivalrous and hospitable -customs, and above all that frankness which -forms the chief trait of the Polish character. Added -to this admiration was his gratitude to a nation which -had formerly admitted him among the ranks of its -nobility. Consequently, he sat listening attentively -to the projects of Alexander, projects which just then -inspired a certain belief. As for me, the subject -appealed to me like everything connected with the -country in which I spent some of the best years of -my youth.</p> - -<p>‘After so many unprecedented efforts, after so many -disappointed hopes and useless sacrifices, Poland bids -fair to breathe at last,’ said M. Nowosilitzoff. ‘Deceived -for many years by the man who had the misfortune -to consider his will as a ruling principle,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_118">118</a></span> -his power as a proof of his statesmanship, and his -success as a reason for it, the Poles were not altogether -unjustified in believing in promises tending to reinstate -them as a nation.’</p> - -<p>‘There is no nation on the face of the earth who -would not have made the same sacrifices for so noble -an illusion,’ remarked the prince.</p> - -<p>‘No doubt, but constantly letting their thoughts -run back, as they do, to the brilliant periods of their -history, they would fain see their country assume the -proud and independent attitude it adopted under the -Bathoris, the Sigismunds, and the Sobieskis; and in -this beautiful dream of the past, and, moreover, -deceived by the actual state of politics in Europe, -they will not stop their ambition at the point imposed -by their geographical position. They will only find -a country in the strictest sense through us and with -us,’ the councillor went on. ‘Poland, completely independent -and organised on the very risky basis of its -erewhile constitutions, would only secure an ephemeral -existence; she would carry her own germ of destruction. -Is she to form a permanent camp in the centre -of pacified Europe, or shall she arm all her nomadic -sons like the Sarmatians of old, in order to make up -by living ramparts for the natural frontiers and -fortresses she lacks? She must have a support in -order to insure her independence. Truth, I know, -can only triumph slowly over the power of prejudice; -but what is there to oppose the fact which henceforth -is only too palpable? The hope of a better future, a -hope which can only be indulged by unthinking -creatures whom the disasters of their country have -failed to restore to reason and coolness of mind.’</p> - -<p>‘Burke has said somewhere,’ replied the prince, -‘that the division of Poland would cost its authors -very dear; he might have said the same of the -defenders of the nation, for it is probable that the -active share of Napoleon in the affairs of Poland has -contributed in no small degree to his downfall. May<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_119">119</a></span> -the projects of Alexander remain exempt from a -similar fatality! Everything will depend upon the -guarantees given for the maintenance of the Polish -nationality! A people may resign itself to having -been vanquished; it will never resign itself to being -humiliated.’</p> - -<p>‘The solicitude of the emperor for his new subjects -admits of no discussion,’ observed M. Nowosilitzoff. -‘To be convinced of this, you have only to -glance at this manuscript. It is the draught of the -Constitution of the Kingdom of Poland, and it is -corrected by the hands of Alexander himself. If it -be true that great thoughts proceed direct from the -heart, there is ample evidence here of the nobleness -of Alexander’s. The laws and the constitution of -the kingdom will be the keystone of the peace of -Europe.’</p> - -<p>In fact, the few pages he read to us from the -manuscript redounded as much to the honour of the -statesman as to that of the philanthropist. Poland -would indeed have been a happy country, if an -erroneous policy had not struck all those dreams of a -moment with utter barrenness.<a id="FNanchor_55" href="#Footnote_55" class="fnanchor">55</a></p> - -<p>The commentary of M. Nowosilitzoff, which followed -upon the reading of the document, was interrupted -by the arrival of the Comte Arthur Potocki, the youthful -friend of the Prince de Ligne. Though a Pole, -and animated by the most generous feelings towards -his country, his presence vexed the privy councillor -to such an extent as to cause him instantly to roll up -his manuscript without adding another word, and to -leave us shortly afterwards.</p> - -<p>The Comte Arthur Potocki, son of the Comte Jean<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_120">120</a></span> -of the illustrious family of that name, and one of the -best educated men in Europe, had a noble face, an -elegant figure, and a cultivated mind. At an age -when most men spend their time in pleasure and -frivolous pursuits, he was conspicuous for a sterling -judgment, a wide knowledge, and the most exquisite -politeness. It is not surprising then that he was one -of the most notable men in Vienna society, and -eminently fit to occupy a similar position everywhere. -The Prince de Ligne was very fond of Arthur, whom -he called his Alcibiades, and who in his turn worshipped -the bright and witty octogenarian, so indulgent -to young men.</p> - -<p>‘Everything has been finally arranged for the -imperial <em>carrousel</em> (musical ride), which is irrevocably -fixed for next week,’ said the young comte, ‘and I -have brought you the tickets which the Grand-Marshal -Trauttmansdorff has told me to remit to you. It -will be one of the most brilliant spectacles ever witnessed. -To-morrow night everybody in Vienna laying -claim to be somebody is going to the Court to see the -“living pictures” arranged by Isabey. They will be -followed by romances sung and enacted by the handsomest -women of the Court, the lovely Duchesse de -Sagan, the Princesse Paul Esterhazy, the Comtesse -Zichy, and several of our most elegant fair ones. -Do not fail to come, gentlemen; you had better take -advantage of the joyous hours. It is rumoured that -the Congress will terminate on the 15th December. -Good-bye, until to-morrow. Let the thought of the -closing of the Congress be with you every moment, as -it is with me.’ Saying which, he took his departure.</p> - -<p>The prince reminded me that I had promised to -spend a few hours with him on that day at his house -on the Kalemberg. Before going thither he wished -to go to Isabey’s to sit for his portrait, and he asked -me to accompany him.</p> - -<p>‘During that hour of torture to me,’ he laughed, -‘you will have an opportunity of looking at a series of<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_121">121</a></span> -portraits from his brush. Isabey is the recorder of -the Congress in pigments. And inasmuch as he is -almost as clever with his tongue as with his brush, -you’ll not waste your time.’</p> - -<p>In a short time we reached the artist’s quarters in -the Leopoldstadt. The front of the house was provided -with a barrier to prevent the deadlock of the -visitors’ carriages. Isabey’s arrival at Vienna had -been preceded by his deserved reputation.<a id="FNanchor_56" href="#Footnote_56" class="fnanchor">56</a></p> - -<p>Presented by the Duc de Sérent to Marie-Antoinette, -Isabey, at the age of twenty, painted the portrait of -the lovely and ill-fated queen, who treated him with -the utmost kindness, and always called him her little -Lorrain. Subsequently, having become the painter-in-ordinary -of Napoleon, he reproduced the features of -all the celebrated men and all the handsome women -of the Empire. It was he who superintended the -fêtes of that brilliant and short-lived era.</p> - -<p>At Vienna, all the European celebrities solicited -the distinction of reproduction by his brush, and he -could scarcely comply with all their requests. The -number of portraits he painted at that period is -positively surprising, and supplies a proof of his -talent having been as fertile as it is graceful. Whenever -there was a question of organising this or that -entertainment for which the Congress was the pretext, -the artist who had drawn the designs for Napoleon’s -coronation was, as may be imagined, considered in -the light of a ‘God-send.’ Nothing was done without -consulting him.</p> - -<p>According to Isabey himself, it was M. de Talleyrand -who had prompted the idea of his going to -Vienna; and art is indebted to that journey for his -remarkable and historical drawing of a ‘Sitting of -the Plenipotentiaries at the Congress.’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_122">122</a></span> -The fall of Napoleon deprived Isabey of nearly all -his functions. One day, in the study of the statesman -who at that time was supposed to have mainly -contributed to that catastrophe, the artist spoke regretfully -of a restoration which, as far as he was concerned, -spelt ruin. On one of the walls of the room hung an -engraving of the ‘Peace of Munster,’ after Terburg. -Pointing to it, Talleyrand said, ‘A Congress is to be -held at Vienna. Why not go there?’ The few -words were as a ray of light in the darkness to Isabey, -and from that moment his mind was made up. -Talleyrand did more than give a hint. He gave him -a most cordial welcome, and proved a kindly and -appreciative patron.</p> - -<p>On Prince Eugène’s arrival in Vienna, one of his -first calls was upon Isabey. In his equivocal position, -he felt only too glad to see somebody reminding him -of his younger days. The painter by his bright -recollections often dispelled the sadness of the prince. -It was Eugène who shortly afterwards took Isabey -to Emperor Alexander. Isabey’s conversation was -always interesting, but it became positively sparkling -and historically valuable when recounting the marvellous -details of the coronation, which, as has been said, -were arranged by him. Isabey was not less delightful -when recalling the familiar and every-day life at -Malmaison.</p> - -<p>Already in 1812, during a tour through Germany, -Isabey, being in Prague, had made a sketch of the -Prince de Ligne, which sketch he carefully preserved -and which hangs to this day (1830) in his studio. -Notwithstanding the seventy-and-eight years of the -model, the sketch shows the noble and delicately cut -features which to the end were the object of everybody’s -admiration. At that period the Prince de -Ligne only knew Isabey by reputation. One morning -he called upon the artist, who happened to be out. -But his album lay open near his easel. Instead of -leaving his card, the prince took up a pen and wrote<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_123">123</a></span> -a dozen tripping and sparkling lines, describing -Isabey’s talent, finishing up with:</p> - -<div class="poem-container"> -<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> -<span class="iq">‘He constitutes as great an honour to art as to his country;<br /></span> -<span class="i0">And in virtue of this impromptu, I also am a painter.’<br /></span> -</div></div> -</div> - -<p>This tribute to Isabey’s talent on the part of the -Prince de Ligne is only one of the valuable testimonies -contained in Isabey’s album. Every important personage -in Europe, ministers, generals, artists, ladies of -high degree, have equally considered it a pleasure to -testify to their admiration and their esteem.</p> - -<p>Isabey had been quartered magnificently, like Benvenuto -Cellini in days of yore, at the Louvre. His -studio, hung from floor to ceiling with sketches, drawings, -and portraits in a more or less advanced stage -of completion, impressed one with the idea of a magic -lantern, representing in turns all the notable personages -who at that moment had forgathered in Vienna.</p> - -<p>The hour taken up with the prince’s sitting seemed -short to me. Every now and again the work was -interrupted by this or that subtle remark or lively -reminiscence. The conversation ran principally on -a little adventure in connection with the game -of ‘leap-frog,’ which caused such a stir in Paris at the -period of the Consulate, and which was obstinately -believed in, in spite of Isabey’s denials. Here it is -in its original version.</p> - -<p>Bonaparte, as is well known, was in the habit of -walking with his arms crossed upon his chest, and -his head slightly bent forward. Isabey was at -Malmaison, and he and some of the First Consul’s -aides-de-camp were having a game of leap-frog on -the lawn. Isabey had already jumped over the heads -of most of them, when, at the turning of a path, he -espied the last player who, in the requisite position, -seemed to be waiting for the ordeal. Isabey pursued -his course without looking, but took his flight so -badly as only to reach the other’s shoulders, and both -rolled over and over in the sand, and to Isabey’s<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_124">124</a></span> -consternation, his supposed fellow-player turned out to -be Bonaparte. At that period, Bonaparte had probably -not pondered the possibility of a ‘fall’; hence, it was -said, refractory at this first lesson, he got up, foaming -at the mouth with anger, and drawing his sword, -pounced upon the unfortunate leaper. Isabey, -luckily for himself better at running than at leaping, -took to his heels, and jumping the ditches dividing -the property from the high road, got over the -wall and never stopped until, breathless, he reached -the gates of the Tuileries. Isabey, it was added, -went immediately to Mme. Bonaparte’s apartments, -and she, after having laughed at the mishap, advised -him to lie low for a little while. It was still further -reported that it wanted all Josephine’s angelic goodness -of heart and cleverness, besides her usual influence -over Bonaparte, to appease the latter’s anger -and to obtain the painter’s pardon. Bonaparte at -that moment was only ‘Consul for Life,’ but people -already foresaw the Empire, and the section of Paris -society which was not too well pleased at the prospect -of a possible return to former ideas naturally made the -most of the anecdote of Malmaison. The denials of -Isabey, who took good care to make short work of all -the detailed rumours, found little or no belief; the -adventure was considered extremely diverting, and -Isabey’s contradiction of it had no effect.</p> - -<p>In the course of our conversation with Isabey, the -Prince de Ligne pressed him very closely on the -subject, as if the <em>definitive</em> fall of Napoleon sufficed to -restore to Isabey all his freedom of speech and all -his frankness on the matter. Isabey, on the other -hand, kept on defending himself with no less energy.</p> - -<p>‘That adventure of Malmaison,’ he said, ‘is an -invention from beginning to end. It is ridiculous, -and one of those semi-historical exaggerations which -have grieved me more than I can tell. Napoleon -was made to play a part utterly at variance with his -character. When that story was bruited in Paris, I<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_125">125</a></span> -had not set eyes upon him for more than six weeks. -The moment I heard of it, and of the particulars with -which it was embellished, I went to St. Cloud. As -soon as he saw me, he came up to me, and I had no -difficulty in convincing him that I had no share in -the matter; it really seemed to aim at ruining me -for ever in his estimation. He was exceedingly kind, -and reminded me of the well-known rejoinder of -Turenne, when his valet struck him by mistake, and -apologised by saying he fancied it was a fellow-servant -(called George). “And supposing it had been -George, there was no need to strike so hard,” said -Turenne. But,’ observed Isabey, ‘refuted or not, -the stories that pander to people’s spitefulness are -repeated, and finally remain as quasi-truths.’</p> - -<p>‘Had I been in your place,’ said the prince, ‘I -should not have taken the trouble to refute the fable. -If it had been attributed to me, I should have -accepted the part. It would have been rather interesting -to jump like that on the shoulders of him who -so unceremoniously jumped so well on the shoulders -of others.’</p> - -<p>Afterwards the conversation drifted to young -Napoleon, whose portrait we had admired a few days -previously at Schönbrunn.</p> - -<p>‘That child,’ said Isabey, ‘has only one thought -occupying his mind, the recollection of his father. -One morning as he was sitting to me, there was the -sound of bugles; the Hungarian Guards were passing -down one of the courts. He immediately glides off -his chair, runs to the window, comes back, and -taking my hand, says, “Here are papa’s lancers -going by.”’</p> - -<p>The portrait of the Prince de Ligne was already -sufficiently advanced to enable one to judge of the -likeness, and I complimented Isabey upon it. All those -who knew the admirable old man were struck with -the marvellously faithful reproduction of him as a -whole.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_126">126</a></span> -In a few moments we gaily resumed the course -of our little pilgrimage. The Kalemberg is a hill -overlooking Vienna, and offering a most picturesque -birdseye view of the city. The prince had established -his summer quarters there some years ago, -dividing his time in the delicious retreat between art, -pleasure, and the delightful society his fame constantly -attracted thither.</p> - -<p>On our way we chatted about the pastimes and -diversions of Vienna, and he gave me a rapid picture -of them, for it could be said absolutely of him what -he said of Casanova: ‘Each word is a sketch, and -each thought is a book.’</p> - -<p>‘Fitly to describe the fairy scenes succeeding -each other here without interruption would want -an Ariosto, that magician of poesy,’ he said. ‘In -fact, I shall not be surprised at the festal committee -shortly issuing a proclamation, to the sound of -trumpets and through all the towns and villages of -the monarchy, promising a prize to the fortunate man -devising a new pleasure for the assembled sovereigns.’</p> - -<p>‘Thoroughly to enjoy oneself in Vienna, prince, -one ought to know German somewhat better than -foreigners as a rule know it,’ I answered. ‘Their -want of familiarity with the language prevents them -from catching the subtle shades of the joys and -manners of a class of the population which, though -not the foremost, is unquestionably not the least -interesting to study and to observe. In connection -with this, I may be permitted to quote the reply -of Bacon to a young man, who, not knowing any -foreign language, consulted him on his plan of travels. -“Go to school, young friend, and don’t go travelling,” -remarked Bacon.’</p> - -<p>‘What would he have said to Metastasio, who, after -living for twenty years in Vienna, had not mastered -as many words of German, which quantity he considered -sufficient to save his life in case of need?’ -laughed the prince. ‘Besides, you find your own<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_127">127</a></span> -tongue the only one adopted here, not only in society -and at all the festive gatherings, but also at all the -conferences of the Congress. That much, indeed, -was due to its precision and its universal use. It -was necessary to establish a general means of communication -between so many strangers; without this -the Congress would have become a Babel.’</p> - -<p>‘And also, prince, because no language lends itself -more easily to the biting epigrams and sparkling -repartees which are, as it were, like a bottle of champagne -that’s being “uncorked,”’ I replied. ‘The proof -of it is in your recent answer to the Baron de ——, -when he told you that the emperor had made him a -general. “He has appointed you to be a general, -he could not make you one,” is a fair sample of the -pliability of French.’</p> - -<p>Chatting like this about many trifles, which on his -lips became interesting subjects, the prince rapidly -reviewed the foremost figures of society, generals, -statesmen, elegant women, etc.</p> - -<p>‘This Congress, with its intrigues of all kinds hidden -by fêtes, is decidedly like Beaumarchais’ <cite>La Folle -Journée</cite>. It is an imbroglio with ever so many -Almavivas and Figaros. As for the Basilios, one -runs against them at every turning. I sincerely trust -people may not be compelled to exclaim by and by -with the joyous barber: “Whom, after all, are they -leading by the nose?”’</p> - -<p>We soon got to the courtyard of his modest -residence. The house was small, but comfortable, -and the prince might have easily realised the wish -of Socrates by filling it with true friends. It had -been built on the site of a monastery founded in -1628: Leopold rebuilt it after the siege of Vienna; -Joseph <span class="smcap smaller">I.</span> enlarged it; Joseph <span class="smcap smaller">II.</span> suppressed it. Since -then, the prince had bought it. On the front door -was engraved his favourite sentence:—<i xml:lang="la" lang="la">Quò res -cumque cadunt, semper stat linea recta</i>.</p> - -<p>‘I so thoroughly feel the barrenness of everything,’<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_128">128</a></span> -he often said, ‘that there is no merit in my being -neither envious nor spiteful, nor vainglorious.’</p> - -<p>He began by taking me into his garden. -‘I should fail in all the traditions of ownership -if I did not start by making you acquainted with -all the details of my principality. Inasmuch as my -house with its enclosure is scarcely more spacious than -the domain allotted by the people to the president -of the loftily perched republic of San-Martino, we’ll -go the round of it in less time than an act of mental -contrition would take. Nevertheless, such as it is, -the place enables me to escape from the bustle of -fêtes, from the fatigue of pleasure, and from the -crowd of majesties and highnesses. Here, and here -alone, I am enabled to enjoy my own society. I -come here to get the fresh air, and to recruit the -strength I spend every evening on the incessant -festivities of the Congress.’</p> - -<p>At the end of the garden, he opened the door of a -pavilion, positively suspended over the Danube, and -from which the whole of Vienna could be taken in at -a glance.</p> - -<p>‘This,’ he said, ‘is the spot whence John Sobieski -started at the head of his brave Poles, and with less -than thirty thousand men saved the empire by routing -all the Ottoman forces of the Grand-Vizir Kara-Mustapha. -Sobieski’s faculty of instantly perceiving -a situation was so sure and so thorough that at -the sight of the enemy’s dispositions, he coolly said -to the generals surrounding him that those dispositions -were defective, and that infallibly he would beat -his foes. It was impossible to say of him what is -commonly said of kings, namely, that they have won -a battle personally, when they have only looked at it -from afar. They may have won the battle personally, -but not by their presence. Sobieski won his -battles in person, and by his presence.</p> - -<p>‘I like the letter he wrote to the queen, his -wife, on the day after the victory, which was dated<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_129">129</a></span> -from the tent of the grand-vizir himself. There is -genuine greatness without the slightest admixture of -false modesty in the following words: “Let Christendom -rejoice and give thanks to the Lord; the infidels -can no longer insult us by saying: ‘Where is now -your God?’”</p> - -<p>‘Sobieski had one of the greatest gifts ever vouchsafed -to a commander—the faculty of inspiring -confidence in his troops. The Polish cavalry which -came to the rescue of Vienna had no doubt a most -martial look; they were mounted on the handsomest -horses, and their arms were magnificent. This was -by no means the case with the infantry; one regiment -in particular was in such a sorry plight that -Prince Lubomirski advised their crossing the Danube -at night, for the sake of the nation’s honour. -Sobieski simply smiled. “As you see them,” he said, -“they are invincible: they have sworn not to change -their clothes except for those taken from the enemy. -In the last war they only wore the Turkish uniform.” -Sobieski’s remark did not, perhaps, provide his -soldiers with clothes; it did better than that: it ran -from mouth to mouth, and the regiment performed -deeds of unsurpassed valour. You are aware that -after that brilliant feat of arms which was the signal -for the relief of Vienna, they applied to the Polish -hero the words of Pius <span class="smcap smaller">V.</span> with regard to Don Juan -of Austria, after the battle of Lepanto: “There was -a man sent from God, whose name was John.” What -an admirable quotation!’ wound up the prince.</p> - -<p>‘Austria had no doubt forgotten the application of -that sentence of gratitude when, later on, she effaced -from the rank of European nations the country of -her deliverers!’ I remarked.</p> - -<p>‘Go and remind her of it, and see what you’ll get -for your pains. Furthermore, you must expect her -to answer in the way of a set-off to the advocates -of Poland: “You take care to remind us of your -saving Vienna in 1683. We are certainly very<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_130">130</a></span> -grateful to you, but each time you mention it, we are -bound to tell you that Austria delivered you out -of the hand of Sweden, which had conquered you in -the reign of Charles-Gustavus; hence, we are -quits.”’</p> - -<p>‘To this, prince, Poland could reply both in virtue -of priority of age and of the number of her services, -that the aid she lent to Austria, notably to her -founder, Rudolph of Hapsburg, largely contributed -to place Austria among the most powerful monarchies -of Europe. Be that as it may, in this iniquitous -proceeding, Austria plays the part of the dog in La -Fontaine’s fable, who carries his master’s dinner round -his neck: she interfered in order to take her share of -the spoil; it would have been more noble to prevent -the spoliation.’</p> - -<p>By that time it was three o’clock, and we partook, -in a small room adjoining the library, of the provisions -which we had brought with us in the prince’s -carriage. It was one of the most delightful collations -I remember. The prince was fond of telling -stories; his way of narrating them was so delightful -and admirable that I was only too pleased to listen. -This added to his own enjoyment, and his well-stored -memory poured out tale after tale without the -slightest effort.</p> - -<p>‘One of my sweetest recollections,’ he said, ‘was -my first journey to France as the bearer of the happy -news of the battle of Maxen. My entrance upon the -scene was entirely to my taste. I was received -everywhere, in Paris, Versailles, and at the Trianon, -by the Baron de Bezenval, the Comte de Vaudreuil, -the Comte d’Adhémar, the Princesse de Lamballe, -the fascinating Mme. Jules de Polignac; then at the -beginning I was presented to La Harpe at Mme. du -Barry’s, to D’Alembert at Mme. Geoffrin’s, to Voltaire -at Mme. du Deffand’s. Mme. du Deffand was probably -gifted with more natural grace and power of fascination -than any woman of her time.’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_131">131</a></span> -After this he gave me some brilliant sketches of -many of the celebrities who, during his long career, -had honoured him with their friendship. Empress -Catherine, whom he called ‘his living glory’; -Emperor Joseph <span class="smcap smaller">II.</span>, ‘his visible providence’; -Frederick the Great, ‘his claim to immortality,’ and -finally Marie-Antoinette, of whom he related many -charming traits, always ‘harking back’ with the -greatest delight to the Court of France, where he had -met with such a distinguished welcome.</p> - -<p>‘The love of pleasure and the attractions of society -took me to Versailles,’ he said; ‘gratitude brought -me back to it. My lad, judge for yourself how far -I was justified in yielding to illusion, that ruler of -the world. Presented to the Comte d’Artois, I -naturally began by treating him like the king’s -brother, and we finished up by his treating me as -if I were his brother. Later on, I happened to be -present at the meeting of Joseph <span class="smcap smaller">II.</span> and Frederick <span class="smcap smaller">II.</span> -The latter notices my liking for great men, and he -invites me to Berlin. My son Charles marries a -Polish girl;<a id="FNanchor_57" href="#Footnote_57" class="fnanchor">57</a> knowing that I am in the good books -of Catherine, they imagine, perhaps, that I might -make a King of Poland, and they confer the honour -of Polish citizenship upon me. I arrive in Russia, -and the grandeur and simplicity of Catherine win my -heart. She selects me to accompany her to the -Taurida, during that journey which seems to belong -to fable rather than to history. In consequence of -my taste for the “Iphigenias” of literature, she gives -me the site of the temple where Agamemnon’s -daughter officiated as priestess. Finally there is the -paternal kindness of Emperor Francis <span class="smcap smaller">I.</span>; the maternal -kindness of that grand Maria-Theresa, and the sometimes -fraternal kindness of immortal Joseph <span class="smcap smaller">II.</span> -There are the confidence and friendship of Landon -and of Lasey; the familiar intercourse with Marie-<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_132">132</a></span>Antoinette; -the cordial intimacy of Catherine the -Great; the goodwill of the great Frederick; my conversations -with Jean-Jacques Rousseau; my stay at -Ferney with Voltaire, and, fitly and gaily to wind up, -after the great events of the last twenty years, the -marvels and diversions of the Congress. Such in brief -is my life. My memoirs would be most interesting. -During the whole of that time I have seen calumny, -ingratitude, and injustice assail everything I loved -and admired.’</p> - -<p>He seemed buried in thought for a few moments. -‘No,’ he said at last, ‘men’s idiocy and ill-nature -respect nothing. In Catherine’s case these two have -endeavoured to sully the grandeur one admires; in -Marie-Antoinette the grace and beauty one worships. -France has a few pages in her annals which one day -she will wish to tear up. After having most grossly -slandered the most beautiful and the most sympathetic -of queens, whose goodness of heart, which -was that of an angel, no one could appreciate better -than I, and whose soul without reproach was as -pure and as white as her face, the cannibals -immolated her as an offering to their bloodthirsty -liberty.’</p> - -<p>At these words his voice grew low, and his eyes -filled with tears. The tears of such a friend, of an -old man and a wise one, were the most eloquent -tribute to Marie-Antoinette’s memory.</p> - -<p>‘This is my study,’ he said, opening another door, -‘and here I am free from the intrusion of all those -parrots who besiege me in my little house on the wall. -Here I let my pen wander as my imagination and -whim prompt me.’ He showed me a great many works -completed, and a number of unfinished manuscripts.</p> - -<p>‘All this has been written for myself, to satisfy -the cravings of my own heart. They are what actors -would call “my asides.”’</p> - -<p>I asked him if the world at large was not to -benefit by his lessons of experience.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_133">133</a></span> -‘No, no,’ he replied, ‘I have too often had proof -that here below a man’s reputation depends upon -those who have none. And what, when all is -said and done, is this glory before which one bows -down, and which one pursues with all one’s might? -The same day witnesses its birth and its death, so -short, after all, is life. Ypsilanti, about whom we -have chatted so often, has gloriously lost his arm. -When at present he makes his appearance in a -drawing-room, he is surrounded, he is pointed out -to public curiosity, and people tell of the battle in -which he distinguished himself. To-day he is a -young hero; before many springs pass over our -heads, and they pass very quickly, people will call -him the old cripple.</p> - -<p>‘Never had a woman a more glorious welcome -than that accorded to Mme. de Staël in Vienna six -years ago. Her arrival and her stay constituted, as -it were, a date, for people still say—“When Mme. -de Staël was here.” Well, the enthusiasm was soon -succeeded by a spirit of criticism the reverse of good-natured. -Nevertheless, if there be anything in this -world which is <em>not</em> all vanity, assuredly it is the admiration -one inspires; but how long does that admiration -last? At the outset Mme. de Staël carried all -hearts, and conquered all minds.’</p> - -<p>‘Not in virtue of her personal attractions, for even -in her portraits she did not seem to me sufficiently -good-looking to please.’</p> - -<p>‘That’s true, she could never have possessed a -pleasing face; her mouth and nose were ugly. But -her magnificent eyes marvellously expressed everything -that went on successively in that brain so rich -in lofty or virile thoughts; her hands were beautifully -shaped, hence the care she took to direct attention -to them by her habit of constantly fingering a branch -of poplar provided with a few leaves, the shaking -of which, according to herself, was the necessary -accompaniment to her words. Her conversation was<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_134">134</a></span> -simply dazzling; she discussed every subject with -a marvellous facility; she expressed herself in an -animated, brilliant and poetical manner. The larger -her audience, the loftier did her genius soar. She -was only at her ease with men capable of judging her, -but on such occasions she was truly great.</p> - -<p>‘Well, all those titles to admiration were soon -made light of. The human mind, by an inevitable -reaction, passes from enthusiasm to carping. In -a short time people laid stress on Mme. de Staël’s -defects; her brilliant qualities were no longer taken -into account. In general conversation, it was said, -she showed herself more anxious to dazzle than to -please; her monologues reduced her interlocutors to -the roles of complacent listeners; when she addressed -a question to some one, she rarely waited for the -answer. She was fond of society in which she was calculated -to shine, but she did not care for the society -of women, which, as a rule, affords fewer resources -to an intellect like hers than that of men. And -the women have not forgiven her, however much her -genius may have conferred honour on her own sex.</p> - -<p>‘Hence, she gradually saw a diminution of her -celebrity, a celebrity which had become necessary to -her, and which, nevertheless, was not to her the road -to happiness. She constantly regretted France, from -which she was irrevocably exiled, in consequence -of her opposition to the government; she had designated -Bonaparte as Robespierre on horseback. It -may therefore be said that she served her own cause -when endeavouring to overtopple the obstacle to her -return to Paris; and on the task she set herself, she -brought to bear all the energy of a genius, stimulated -by the hatred of a woman.</p> - -<p>‘I have much admired Mme. de Staël; I still admire -her, and I strongly suspect that the author of the -<cite>Dialogue sur l’enthousiasme</cite> wanted to paint me in the -character of Cleon.’ The prince, when uttering those -last words, glanced at me smiling. ‘She felt much<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_135">135</a></span> -vexed at some one daring to question merit which at -that time everybody agreed in pronouncing incontestable. -That little bit of criticism was the first. -The author particularly censures her novel <cite>Corinne</cite>. -In that respect he was wrong. Wishing to attack -her, he had no business to attack her writings. That, -assuredly, was not her vulnerable side. But he would -have been justified in blaming the pretension to refer -everything to herself, the inconstancy of opinion -which was so dangerous to her friends who took her -at her word, the pedagogic and biting tone, the -histrionic elation, in the manner of Corinne, her -neologism in intellectual matters, which was so utterly -antipathetic to me, and the craving to appear on the -boards, where she displayed not the slightest talent, -inasmuch as her true vocation lay in acting in real -life. On all those points he would have been justified -in venting his spite either in prose or in verse. You -are aware that we were within an ace of falling out -for ever in consequence of a spiteful remark which -was told to her as coming from me. After the -performance of her tragedy, <cite>Agar dans le Désert</cite>, in -which, to be frank, she seemed more ugly than usual, -some one, who was not the Prince de Ligne, is reported -to have said that the proper title of the piece ought -to have been <cite>La Justification d’Abraham</cite>. She -sulked for a long time, and I had much difficulty in -convincing her of my innocence.’</p> - -<p>After that the prince showed me a small manuscript, -which has been published since, and which he had then -just finished. Its subject was the Venetian Casanova. -When that famous adventurer was tired of hawking -about Europe his projects, his magic secrets, and his -striking personality; when, in fact, he felt old age -creeping over him and poverty staring him in the -face, he applied to the Prince de Ligne. Almost as -a matter of course, the latter made him welcome, -bestirred himself on his behalf, and got him the post -of librarian to his nephew, the Prince de Wallstein.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_136">136</a></span> -Casanova’s curiously chequered career appealed to -the imagination of the old marshal. He also had had -many adventures during his existence. He liked the -ready and biting wit of the Venetian, his profound -and varied learning, and his philosophically-turned -and ever fresh comments.</p> - -<p>‘Yes,’ said the prince, ‘Casanova was the most -diverting individual I have ever met with. It was he -who said that a woman is never older than her lover -fancies her to be. His inexhaustible recollections, -his imagination, which was as vivid as it had been at -twenty, his enthusiasm with regard to myself, won my -heart. He often read his memoirs to me. They partake -of the nature of those of a knight-errant and of -the “Wandering Jew”; unfortunately they’ll never -see the light.’<a id="FNanchor_58" href="#Footnote_58" class="fnanchor">58</a></p> - -<p>His writing-table was littered with verses, the -greater part unfinished.</p> - -<p>‘You are looking at those sketches,’ he said. ‘It is -because I am unable to work like the majority of -poets. There are two dictionaries at their disposal, -the dictionary of the heart and the rhyming dictionary. -When there is no longer anything in the -first, or when they can no longer read it, they open -the second. When my heart no longer dictates, I -leave off writing.’</p> - -<p>We spent a little more time in examining several -charming portraits of women with whom he had been -in love, and a rich collection of letters written by the -sovereigns and the most illustrious personages of -Europe during half a century.</p> - -<p>The hour for returning struck, and we left the -delightful retreat which, one day, will become -historical. But amidst those brilliant reminiscences -of the Vienna Congress, my grateful memory could -not omit that day wholly passed in familiar conversation -with the Prince de Ligne.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_137">137</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2><a id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII</h2> -</div> - -<blockquote> - -<p>A Court Function—The Empress of Austria—The Troubadours—Amateur -Theatricals—The Empress of Russia—The Prince Leopold -of Saxe-Cobourg—Tableaux-Vivants—Queen Hortense’s Songs—The -Moustaches of the Comte de Wurbna—Songs in Action—The -Orphan of the Prisons—Diplomacy and Dancing—A Ball and a -Supper at Court.</p></blockquote> - -<p>The fêtes succeeded each other uninterruptedly; the -time not given to pleasure was looked upon as wasted. -Every week there was a grand reception and ball at -the Court. Taking their cue from highest quarters, -the foremost members of Austrian society also had -their appointed days for welcoming in their drawing-rooms -the numberless strangers whom business or -pleasure had brought to Vienna. On Mondays the -Princesse de Metternich threw open her house; on -Thursdays the Master of the Horse, the Prince de -Trauttmansdorff, did the same, and on Saturdays, the -beautiful Comtesse Zichy followed suit. As a return -for this gracious hospitality, the ambassadors and -representatives of the great Powers on their side gave -most brilliant entertainments. In virtue of this constant -exchange of magnificent functions, the days -went by without counting, and everybody appeared -to have adopted the maxim—the first necessity of -mankind is to be happy.</p> - -<p>The Empress of Austria was practically the soul of -that succession of balls, banquets, receptions and -masques. Born in Italy, and sprung from that illustrious -House of Este, sung by Ariosto and by Tasso, -she had, as it were, inherited from her ancestors the -taste and the instinctive feeling for everything pertaining<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_138">138</a></span> -to art. Her goodness of heart was beyond -compare, her youthful and fresh imagination took a -delight in the arrangement of all those joyous details. -She was admirably seconded by two French artists, -M. Isabey and M. Moreau—the latter a most talented -architect—who were her usual auxiliaries. She invented -and ordained; their task consisted in faithfully -reproducing and carrying out her bright ideas.</p> - -<p>One of her favourite pleasures was the giving of -theatrical performances in her apartments. Defying -the difficulties attached to the rôle of <i xml:lang="it" lang="it">impresario</i>, -she had succeeded in recruiting and composing a -company of amateur actors. Some among these -would have done credit to any stage, no matter where. -In this company figured the most aristocratic names: -the Comtes Ojarowski, Stanislas Potocki, de Wallstein, -Woyna, Mmes. Edmond de Périgord and Flora -Wurbna, shone in comedy; opera had its interpreters -in the Prince Antoine Radziwill, the Marquis -de Salvox, the Comtes Petersen de Bombelles,<a id="FNanchor_59" href="#Footnote_59" class="fnanchor">59</a> the -Comtesses d’Apponyi, Charles Zichy, de Woyna, and -the Princesse Yblonowska; while German tragedy fell -to the lot of the Comtesse Julie Zichy, the Comtesse -Esterhazy and the Comte Zichy. Our theatrical -literature, so rich in all genius, was especially laid -under contribution; often there was a mixed performance -of German and French pieces. At one of -those performances, Schiller’s <cite>Wallenstein</cite> and the -charming comedy of <cite>Rivaux d’eux-mêmes</cite> were played -with really remarkable casts.</p> - -<p>Some young men, as a relief from the arid labours -of diplomacy, which at that period, it was said, constituted -by no means a lively pursuit, had organised -among themselves an artistic gathering, which was -called the ‘company of Troubadours.’ Foremost -among these were the Prince Radziwill, the Comtes<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_139">139</a></span> -Batthyani, Zichy, and the Prince Leopold de Saxe-Cobourg. -It was a graceful revival of the chivalrous -and poetic customs of the Middle Ages. There was, -furthermore, the ‘Festal Committee,’ appointed by -the emperor, and composed of the foremost personages -of the Court. It really did appear as if the whole of -society was wrapped round by a vast association, the -bright network of which spread everywhere, and which -had but one aim—the pursuit of pleasure.</p> - -<p>The entertainment offered by the Court on that -particular evening was of an entirely novel kind as -far as the majority of the spectators were concerned. -It consisted of the representation of pictures and of -songs put into action by living personages. The -Prince de Ligne and I went early to the Imperial -Palace. Though the performance had not commenced, -the rooms were full. Thanks to the Comte Arthur -Potocki, we were enabled to get to the seats he had -reserved for us between the Princesse Marie Esterhazy -and the Prince Leopold de Saxe-Cobourg. It was -the first time I met this young man in society; he -was known to the Prince de Ligne, who soon made us -acquainted with each other. At that time, he seemed -to me as timid as he was handsome. Never did noble -birth and blood show themselves more conspicuously -than in the distinguished air and easy bearing of this -scion of an illustrious house. At that period he was -doubtlessly far from foreseeing the fortunate position -destiny had in store for him, by uniting him at first -to a great princess, by placing him afterwards on the -throne of regenerated Belgium, and finally by giving -him as consort an accomplished princess from the -blood royal of France. To-day the future happiness -of two families, of perhaps two peoples, is centred -in him.<a id="FNanchor_60" href="#Footnote_60" class="fnanchor">60</a></p> - -<p>After having exchanged a few courteous words, -Prince Leopold left us to prepare for his part in<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_140">140</a></span> -one of the tableaux; we remained with the Princesse -Esterhazy.</p> - -<p>The illustrious and princely House of Esterhazy has -so often been described as to render the task of adding -anything fresh to those descriptions a difficult one. -Everybody knows that its noble origin is virtually -lost in the mist of ages, and that its power equals -that of kings. Its magnificence, its wealth, and the -splendour of its establishment are such as to convey -but a faint idea to those who have not seen them, and -those who have are tempted to consider them as so -many parts of a fairy dream induced by the reading of -some fabulous story. Its territorial possessions comprise -more than a hundred villages and burghs, something -like forty townships and over thirty castles and -fortresses.<a id="FNanchor_61" href="#Footnote_61" class="fnanchor">61</a> The country seats which constitute, as it -were, the capitals of those veritable states comprise -an enormous number of apartments, picture-galleries -and theatres. The Hungarian hussar’s dress, entirely -embroidered with pearls, which is transmitted in -the family from father to son, is estimated at four -millions of florins, and costs twelve thousand florins -to repair each time it is worn. On those vast -domains the Esterhazys exercise the power of life -and death; they have troops and guards in their -own pay. Moreover, an imperial decree, dating from -1687, conferred upon them the right to mint their -own money and to grant patents of nobility. Many -sovereigns would be tempted to exchange their crowns -for the lot of such subjects.</p> - -<p>The Princesse Marie Esterhazy, <i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">née</i> Princesse de -Lichtenstein, though at that period no longer in the -flush of youth, was still possessed of a charming -grace. She was above all endowed with that winning -kindness which imparts a charm to women who physically -are least attractive. Her equable temperament -and her fascinating kindness induced me to seek her<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_141">141</a></span> -society on all possible occasions. Some years before -I had met her husband, the Prince Nicolas,<a id="FNanchor_62" href="#Footnote_62" class="fnanchor">62</a> in Paris, -at Mme. Récamier’s, that friend of my childhood, the -most beautiful of women and the most worthy of -admiration and respect. An enthusiastic and enlightened -amateur of every branch of art, and above -all of music, the prince was the Mæcenas of literary -men and artists. He treated them as a connoisseur -and rewarded them like a king.</p> - -<p>I was very fond of the society of Prince Paul, -their son, whose senior I was by a few years. Our -tastes and habits were pretty well the same. I often -met him at the house of Mme. de Fuchs, who was -the friend of both. Since then called in virtue of -his name and his solid attainments to most important -diplomatic positions. Prince Paul<a id="FNanchor_63" href="#Footnote_63" class="fnanchor">63</a> has shown a constant -moderation and a rectitude of thought and -judgment which only belong to a noble disposition -and a superior intellect. He is one of the men who -during the recent negotiations have contributed most -to the preservation of peace in Europe.</p> - -<p>Our conversation with the Princesse Marie turned -on the kind of amusement the Court of Austria was -providing for us that evening. She told us that she -had often organised similar tableaux at Eisenstadt in a -rotunda constructed for the purpose in the midst of -a lake, and that during the performances Haydn, the -director of her private band, improvised on the organ -some pieces in keeping with the optical effects, and -which added marvellously to the illusion.</p> - -<p>The sovereigns gradually made their appearance -and took the seats reserved for them, the Emperor of -Russia being as usual by the side of the Empress of -Austria. By a curious freak of nature, both were -somewhat hard of hearing, the emperor on one side,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_142">142</a></span> -the empress on the opposite side. Etiquette required -their being seated side by side in such a manner -as not to be able to hear each other; consequently, -they always seemed to be playing at ‘cross purposes.’ -Alexander at that period was remarkable for the -beauty of his face and the elegance of his figure; and -he was by no means indifferent to the flattering remarks -addressed to him on the subject. On the other -hand, it would have argued an inexperience of Courts -to betray either by word or sign the knowledge of his -auricular infirmity.</p> - -<p>By the Emperor of Austria’s side sat the Empress -Elizabeth of Russia. That angel on earth had everything -calculated to insure her husband’s happiness -and hers.<a id="FNanchor_64" href="#Footnote_64" class="fnanchor">64</a> She was endowed with a charming face, -her eyes reflecting the purity of her soul. She had -magnificent auburn hair, which, as a rule, was allowed -to fall loose on her shoulders. Her figure was elegant, -lithe, and supple, and even when she wore a mask, her -walk revealed her identity in a moment. No woman -realised more thoroughly the line of Virgil:</p> - -<div class="poem-container"> -<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> -<span class="iq">‘Incessu patuit Dea....’<br /></span> -</div></div> -</div> - -<p class="in0">To a most delightful disposition there were added a -cultivated and quick intellect, a passionate love of art, -and a boundless liberality in money matters. The -graceful elegance of her person, her noble bearing, -and her inexhaustible kindness won her all hearts. -Neglected almost from the first hour of her union by -a husband whom she worshipped, her solitude and grief -had bred a kind of melancholy. Stamped on every -feature, that feeling lent to the accents of her voice -and to her slightest movements an irresistible charm.</p> - -<div id="ip_142" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 29.75em;"> - <img src="images/i_142.jpg" width="476" height="600" alt="" /> - <div class="caption"><span class="smcap">Alexander I.</span></div></div> - -<p>A symphony for horns and harps preceded the -rise of the curtain. The candles in the house were -extinguished in order to give greater brilliancy to -the light thrown on to the stage. The first picture -was the reproduction of a subject painted by a young<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_143">143</a></span> -Viennese artist, ‘Louis <span class="smcap smaller">XIV.</span> kneeling at Mme. de la -Vallière’s feet.’ The actors of that scene were the -young Comte de Trauttmansdorff, son of the grand-marshal, -and the charming Comtesse de Zichy. Both -were so eminently attractive, there was such an ardent -expression of love on the face of the young noble, and -so much modesty, fear, and innocence on the delicious -face of the comtesse, as to make the illusion complete.</p> - -<p>The second picture was a reproduction of Guérin’s -beautiful composition, ‘Hippolytus refuting Phedra’s -accusation before Theseus.’ The Princesse Yblonowska -represented the daughter of Minos, and the -young Comte Woyna, Hippolytus. The eyes and -features of the one were stamped with ardent passion -struggling against remorse, while the other, by his -calm and classical attitude, by the signs of his respectful -grief, only seemed to invoke for his defence -the purity of his heart. Though shorn of the charm -of its magnificent poetry, Racine’s conception had -never more eloquent interpreters than these two.</p> - -<p>The subjects of these pictures, reproduced by -the most distinguished personages of the Court, the -brilliant and accurate dresses, the perfectly arranged -light, the whole of the <i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">ensemble</i> so artistically -arranged, produced the most lively admiration on -the part of the spectators.</p> - -<p>After this, the stage was got ready for the songs -to be enacted; an orchestra, composed of the most -celebrated instrumentalists of Germany, played symphonies -by Haydn and Mozart.</p> - -<p>The first song was the ‘Partant pour la Syrie,’ the -charming music of which, by Queen Hortense, has -become popular throughout Europe. Mlle. Goubault, -a young Belgian, who to an agreeable face added a -charming and expressive voice, sang the words, while -the Princesse de Hesse-Philipstadt and the young -Comte de Schönfeldt represented the characters. -At the verse of the marriage, a chorus of the most -beautiful personages of the Court grouped themselves<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_144">144</a></span> -around the principal actors. This profusion of delicious -faces, the perfect unison of the voices, and the expressive -pantomimic action of the two lovers—in short, -the whole tableau, was enthusiastically applauded.</p> - -<p>I was too far away from Emperor Alexander to -hear what he said to Prince Eugène, who was seated -close to him by the side of his father-in-law, the King -of Bavaria. I could, however, easily perceive by the -face of Eugène, beaming with pleasure and gratitude, -that the praise bestowed by the emperor on the -musical composition was accompanied by flattering -and kindly expressions concerning his sister.</p> - -<p>The second song was that of Coupigny, a ‘Young -Troubadour singing and making war.’ It was represented -by the Comte de Schönborn and the Comtesse -Marassi. The third song was again one of Queen -Hortense’s, ‘Do what you ought, let come what may.’ -It was as well sung as ably mimed by the handsome -Comtesse Zamoyska, a daughter of Marshal Czartoryski, -and by the young Prince Radziwill. Like the first, -it was enthusiastically listened to and greatly praised. -The author’s name was on the lips of every one, and -vociferous applause frequently broke forth.</p> - -<p>‘This is a sceptre which will not be broken in the -hands of Mlle. de Beauharnais,’ said the Prince de -Ligne. ‘She is still a queen in virtue of her talent -and her charm when she has ceased to be one by the -grace of God. I confess to a liking for women who -are fond of music, and above all for those who -compose music, as she does. Music is a universal -language, harmoniously recounting to all of us the -sensations of our lives. Only the malicious and -spiteful could have said evil of the sometime Queen -of Holland, and only imbeciles could have attached -any belief to what they said. As for me, I am always -glad to applaud and to give homage to fallen greatness, -especially if the fallen ones have done honour to -the rank in which fate placed them.’</p> - -<p>‘I cordially agree with you, prince,’ I said. ‘I<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_145">145</a></span> -often had the opportunity of seeing Queen Hortense -at the beginning of her grandeur. During the rapid -advances of her fortunes she did not change, and -amidst all the imperial pomp and splendour she remained -natural and unaffected. She seems to have -been born with an instinctive feeling for art and with -the germs of talent; she sings and plays on several -instruments the charming music of her own composition. -She draws with rare perfection. More precious -than all this, though, is her sprightly kindness, which -her mother appears to have transmitted to her. Both, -while attaining the highest positions it is given to -mortals to reach, lost none of the qualities which -compel affection in the most obscure conditions.’</p> - -<p>‘I am pleased to hear you speak like that. I am of -opinion that the most admirable quality of mankind -is the faculty for admiring. I detest people who are -always looking for the interest underlying a good -action. Bear this in mind: only grovelling natures seek -to disparage talent; and fools only applaud the envious.’</p> - -<p>The curtain had been lowered to set the final picture -which was to conclude the whole of the spectacle in a -most brilliant manner. It was to represent Olympus -with all the mythological divinities. Nothing had -been neglected to make the execution worthy of the -grandeur of the subject. There had, nevertheless, -been a temporary apprehension with regard to the -smooth progress of its course. There had been for -two whole days negotiations far more difficult and -delicate in their nature than those usually pending -between diplomatic celebrities; and it wanted nothing -less than an intervention from high quarters to settle -a question which the sapient assembly would probably -have failed to bring to a satisfactory conclusion.</p> - -<p>The facts were as follows: All the rôles of the -tenants on Olympus had been distributed. Prince -Leopold de Saxe-Cobourg, in consequence of his remarkably -handsome presence, had been cast for the -part of Jupiter. Comte Zichy was to represent Mars.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_146">146</a></span> -The company was, however, short of Apollo; and -among the troubadours the young Comte de Wurbna -was the only one who could efficiently fill the part. -It had been offered to him and accepted. But -the Comte, who combined in every respect the -requisite qualities for the brilliant impersonation -allotted to him, had unfortunately something not -contemplated in the programme. His upper lip was -ornamented by a delightful pair of moustachios, and -he valued them as one values things that do not -detract from one’s appearance. It was very certain, -though, that whether taken in connection with his -luminous chariot or in the simple guise of a shepherd, -no one could conceive the god of day with this -hirsute ornament of a captain of hussars.</p> - -<p>The stage manager entrusted with the carrying out -of the tableau bore the name of Omer, which lent -itself marvellously to all kind of witticisms. Omer, -then, was deputed to enter into negotiations with the -young Comte and to induce him to part with the -inconvenient ornament. In spite of his poetical -name (irrespective of its orthography), Omer found but -an indifferent listener in the young man. In vain -did he cajole, argue, and supplicate. In vain did -he point out to the young man the impossibility of -representing the tableau. His words did not produce -the slightest effect. Inexorable, like Achilles sulking -in his tent, young Wurbna seemed to have taken an -oath not to part with his moustachios while alive.</p> - -<p>The rumour of this curious obstinacy spread with -the rapidity of bad tidings; there is great agitation -and anxiety, people are inquiring of each other the -latest particulars of the affair, every other pleasure is -forgotten; the Congress, too, would have been forgotten -if any one had thought it worth while to -remember that there was a Congress. Those moustachios -have become the subject of every conversation -and of universal concern.</p> - -<p>Finally, in view of the gravity of the circumstances,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_147">147</a></span> -recourse is being had to a supreme appeal: the -empress is informed of the affair. Entering frankly -into the plot, the charming princess, on the very -evening, so effectively cajoled the young recalcitrant -Comte that, vanquished, or rather won over, he -absented himself for a moment, to reappear with a -clean and smooth upper lip like that of a young girl. -Thus fell, at a single word from Louis <span class="smcap smaller">XIV.</span>, the woods -interrupting the view from the seat of Petit-Bourg. -Truly, sovereigns, and especially female sovereigns, -have for the purpose of upraising or cutting down -magic and powerful words, denied to other mortals.</p> - -<p>The sacrifice was consummated, and we knew that, -thanks to the happy conclusion of that negotiation, -Omer had been enabled to carry out to the best of -purposes his Olympian production. At last the -curtain rose, and the assembly of the gods met the -eager gaze of the spectators. The queen of the gods -was represented by the daughter of Admiral Sir -Sidney Smith, Venus by Mme. de Wilhem, a lady -of honour to the Princesse de la Tour et Taxis, and -Minerva by the lovely Comtesse Rosalie Rzewuska. -The eyes of the spectators, delighted at first by the -matchless beauty of the picture, finally contemplate -nobody but Apollo, standing forth in all his glory, -and well rewarded for his obedience by sweet and -august smiles.</p> - -<p>During the representation of that tableau, a young -Frenchman, the Baron Thierry, attached to the Portuguese -Legation, played a solo on the harp. The -young fellow, who was brought up in England, -whither he had accompanied his parents at the time -of the emigration, had assiduously practised that -instrument, and attained a degree of perfection on it -which at that period was very rare. He was well built, -with an interesting face, and one of the most admired -of strangers in Viennese society. His solo, played -with all the perfection his instrument would permit, -produced the greatest effect, and was cordially<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_148">148</a></span> -applauded, the signal for the applause coming from -the royalties themselves. Even Olympus itself appeared -to be moved by it. Finally the curtain fell -amidst unanimous signs of approval; the sovereigns -rose, and we passed into an adjoining hall sumptuously -arranged for the ball.</p> - -<p>‘You probably do not know the story of the -beautiful Comtesse Rzewuska, whom you have just -admired in the character of Minerva. She is the -daughter of the Princesse Rosalie Lubomirska, who -was guillotined during the Terror. The child, after -the death of her mother, on the 12th Messidor of the -Year <span class="smcap smaller">II.</span> (30th June 1794), was taken home and -brought up by a laundress, and by the merest accident -discovered by her uncle, the Comte Chodkïewicz, -who had been in search of her for many years, and -finally taken back to Poland. It is the most startling -drama in real life.’<a id="FNanchor_65" href="#Footnote_65" class="fnanchor">65</a></p> - -<p>Meanwhile dancing had commenced, and I went to -offer my arm to the Princesse Esterhazy, whom I had -the honour to escort during part of the evening. She -conversed about art with the greatest facility, her -remarks being emphasised by eminently just quotations -altogether exempt from the slightest pedantry. -Her comments on society were marked by a similar -justness of observation, none the less just for being -tempered by great forbearance. Her beautiful features -bore the unmistakable signs of her being an irreproachable -wife, a most affectionate mother, and a most -devoted and sincere friend. As a consequence, her -conversation seemed to me infinitely preferable to the -somewhat boisterous amusements of that evening.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_149">149</a></span> -All those who had taken part in the tableaux and -in the illustrations of the songs had retained their -costumes. There was a considerable number of them. -They organised quadrilles which lent a new attraction -to that fête, namely, that of variety. It seemed as -if grace, that divine part of beauty, had been equally -divided, though under different forms, among the -dwellers in every climate. Never was this fact more -pertinently felt than at those fêtes of the Congress, -at which the most remarkable women of the various -countries of Europe shone with equal, though distinct, -splendour.</p> - -<p>We, the Prince de Ligne and I, wandered through -those drawing-rooms, ablaze with light, passing in -review those delicious faces, representing all kinds of -beauty as they successively went by. The Princesse -Marie de Metternich and the Comtesse Batthyani, -with wistful and somewhat melancholy features, tall, -slight, and flexible like reeds; the two charming -sisters Eléonore and Pauline de Schwartzenberg, -beaming with youth and freshness; the Princesse -Yblonowska, the Comtesses Sophie de Woyna and -Louise de Durkeim, both distinguished by their -slightly dreamy looks; the Comtesse Julie Zichy, -captivatingly graceful; the Comtesses de Marassi, -d’Urgate, de Schönborn, and the Princesse Hélène -Souvaroff, whose portrait I have already sketched; -and the Comtesse de Paar. In short, we feasted our -eyes on delightful faces, lighted up every now and -again by rapid smiles, or positively basking in the -full light of careless joy and happiness—faces that -soothed the mind and captivated all glances.</p> - -<p>Emperor Alexander had opened the ball with the -Empress of Austria with a ‘polonaise,’ a kind of -dancing march, the regular preamble to every Court -ball. In an adjoining room some members of the -corps diplomatique were gravely engaged at whist, a -recreation which also seemed an indispensable part -of the European transactions in progress. The<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_150">150</a></span> -‘polonaise,’ though, soon interfered with the silence -necessary to the game. The band had given the -signal and, too cramped in the principal room, the -long file of dancers marched along under the guidance -of the czar, invaded the whole of the palace, and -twined round and round the serious quartets of the -players, and by an enormously round-about way returned -to its starting-point in perfect order, never -ceasing the course of its graceful evolutions. Towards -the end of the evening, the guests formed themselves -here and there into groups. Some young men arranged -pleasure parties for the next morning, while the -representatives of Europe gravely discussed the burning -questions of the moment.</p> - -<p>In one part of the room, M. de Talleyrand, ensconced -in an armchair, is talking to the Prince -Leopold of Naples, while M. de Labrador, the -Chevalier de Los Rios and the Cardinal Gonzalvi, the -Marquis de Marialva, the young Comte de Luchesini -and Charles de Rechberg, in a circle, are standing -around. The conversation runs on King Murat. -With his habitual phlegm, M. de Talleyrand drops -some of those grave and prophetic sentences which, -rightly interpreted, might be considered the forerunner -of that improvised sovereign’s fall.<a id="FNanchor_66" href="#Footnote_66" class="fnanchor">66</a></p> - -<p>M. de la Tour du Pin, the ambassador of France, -was the centre of another group, composed of his -colleague, M. Alexis de Noailles, MM. de Wintzingerode, -Pozzo di Borgo, the Marquis de Saint Marsan, -the Comte de Rossi, etc.</p> - -<p>Lord Castlereagh, erect and leaning against a -mantelpiece, seems to listen with a glacial air to the -King of ——. The crowd has retired to a respectful -distance. His majesty, on the other hand, appears -to speak with a certain warmth, although his attitude<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_151">151</a></span> -is that of a petitioner, or rather a pleader, intent -upon convincing his judge. One can catch the -words, ‘Poland—indemnity—Treaty of Kalitsch.’ -His lordship vouchsafes only few words in reply to -his august interlocutor. Looking at them, one is -reminded that if the Coalition has had the victory, -it was England who paid the soldiers.</p> - -<p>Lord Stewart wanders listlessly from one room to -another. He is simply anxious to be seen, and they -have bestowed on him the sobriquet of ‘the golden -peacock.’</p> - -<p>At midnight a magnificent supper was served. Of -course, the sovereigns occupied the table set apart -for them, but the other guests seated themselves -wherever they liked, without the slightest ceremony -or considerations of etiquette. The gaiety of that -collation, absolutely free from restraint, afforded -greater facilities for confidential and familiar talk. -All those banquets were alike. Always the same -display of apparently inexhaustible wealth and the -same magnificence; consequently, although the Congress -was but a few days old, people had ceased to -estimate the expenses of the Court.</p> - -<p>To make up for that, they freely spoke of the -number of strangers who, either on business or -pleasure, were located in Vienna. We know the -means by which Colbert filled the empty coffers of -his master. But what, after all, were the <em>carrousels</em> -of Louis <span class="smcap smaller">XIV.</span> compared to this magnificent series of -fêtes?</p> - -<p>The hour for retiring struck at last, and people -went home to recruit their strength for the next day -by much-needed sleep.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_152">152</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2><a id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII</h2> -</div> - -<blockquote> - -<p>Prince Eugène de Beauharnais—Recollections of the Prince de Ligne—The -Theatre of the ‘Ermitage’ and of Trianon—The Baron Ompteda—some -Portraits—The Imperial <i>Carrousel</i>—The Four-and-twenty -Paladins—Reminiscences of Mediæval Tournaments—The Prowess -of the Champion—Fête and Supper at the Imperial Palace—The -Table of the Sovereigns.</p></blockquote> - -<p>One morning, a few days after the last-described -event, I called upon Prince Eugène de Beauharnais. -Our acquaintance dated from my youth, and whenever -circumstances brought us together either in -Paris, Milan, or Vienna, I, like all his other friends, -had ever found him kind, helpful and sympathetic. -The bonds of sympathy so quickly contracted in -youth had never been severed by the difference -in rank. It had not been his fault that his rule in -Italy had been fruitless to me as far as a brilliant -administrative career went. And these proofs of his -affection had made me deeply grateful to him.</p> - -<p>On the occasion of my visit he was slightly ill, -and it did not take me long to discover that the -cause of his indisposition was mental rather than -physical. It was not surprising, considering the -misfortunes that had accumulated around him. -There were the disasters of France, the fall of -Napoleon, the loss of a brilliant position, and, to fill -his cup of grief, the death of his mother, whom he -worshipped.</p> - -<p>His position at Vienna was constrained and more or -less false. His reception there had been the subject of -diplomatic discussions; but for the persistence of his -father-in-law, the King of Bavaria, and the affection<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_153">153</a></span> -of Emperor Alexander, he would probably have been -excluded. In spite of this, the fact of his being the -adopted son of Napoleon could not be forgotten. It -was, moreover, well known that his noble character -would never belie itself, and that he would bring all -his influence to bear in favour of the man who had -been his benefactor. Between the Powers celebrating -France’s reverses with fêtes and the representatives -of the government of the Bourbons, he seemed -isolated amidst that crowd and in that whirlpool of -pleasure.</p> - -<p>He welcomed me in his cordial and amicable way. -Glad to find somebody with whom he could talk -about his recollections, he referred to his past, which -was so brilliant and glorious. His attitude and the -expression of his face were stamped with a melancholy -that could not fail to win one’s heart. We went -over the various phases of his military career, when -all at once he became most animated. Yielding to a -strong emotion, he carried me with him to Egypt, -and began to describe the loss of his first friend, -killed by his side by a cannon ball at the battle of -the Pyramids. At the last words of that mournful -story I noticed his eyes filling with tears, -which he vainly endeavoured to repress. In order to -divert his thoughts to brighter subjects, I spoke to -him of our first meeting at a luncheon given by -Mme. Récamier during the short-lived Peace of -Amiens, a luncheon graced by the presence of all -the celebrities of France and England. As a matter -of course, our conversation drifted to all the gay -doings of Vienna during the last few weeks, and also -of those to come. I soon noticed, though, that all -those functions, so intoxicating to the majority of -both actors and spectators, constantly reminded him -of the sad cause nearest to his heart. I was not sorry, -then, when we were interrupted by the servant -announcing the Emperor of Russia, who, according -to his custom, came to take him, without any ceremony,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_154">154</a></span> -for a walk in the Prater. I took my leave of -him, after he had made me promise to come and -see him often. I need not say that I gladly acceded -to his request, and that the duty really became a -pleasure.</p> - -<p>On leaving him, I went to pay my daily visit to -the Prince de Ligne. I delighted in giving him an -account of my previous day’s doings. Although at -that happy period my occupations mainly consisted -of a life spent away from my own quarters and in -consorting with my young friends in the pursuit of -pleasure, it was like a lullaby to me to go to him to -gather from his lips some of his witty and subtle -sallies, and to study in a familiar way a small section -of that living panorama.</p> - -<p>The little house was as full as it could hold, and -the amiable host was, as usual, dispensing large doses -of wit and wisdom to his visitors. His never-failing -spirits and the brightness of his recollections reminded -his listeners that though the body might be tottering, -he prevented it from collapsing. No one conveyed a -more accurate idea of the sparkle and the almost indefinable -grace of the French intellectual qualities of -former days. Hearing the Prince de Ligne talk, I -always fancied I was going back a century in the -history of French society.</p> - -<p>The prince’s visitors were repeating to him some -of the rumours with which the amateur politicians -of the Graben kept public curiosity alive. After -having distributed crowns and allotted states, the -quidnuncs and newsmongers had taken it into -their heads to try their hand at match-making. -According to them, the King of Prussia was reported -one day to be betrothed to the Grand-Duchess of -Oldenburg, the next to one of the Austrian arch-duchesses.</p> - -<p>‘Those gentlemen strangely put our credulity to -the test,’ remarked the Comte de Witt. ‘Nothing -less will satisfy them than the divorce of Marie-<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_155">155</a></span>Louise, -so that she may be joined in matrimony to -his Majesty of Prussia.’</p> - -<p>‘Mirabeau was in the habit of saying that there -is no piece of idiocy, however crude, that may not -find acceptance on the part of a clever man, provided -one gets his valet to repeat it to him every day for a -month,’ laughed the prince. ‘I am afraid, though, -that the Viennese journalists credit us with a somewhat -too robust faith. I am not at all certain how -“Robinson” on his island of Elba would appreciate -the joke?’</p> - -<p>The conversation drifted to the theatrical performances -the Empress of Austria was offering at the -Imperial Palace.</p> - -<p>‘No stage can dispute the palm with yours,’ said -the prince, turning to me. ‘I have seen your pieces -played everywhere. In Prussia before the great -Frederick they only performed the masterpieces of -the French stage; in Russia at the “Ermitage” -theatre [the palace and museum of the Hermitage at -St. Petersburg] I have seen <cite>Le Philosophe Marié</cite> -and <cite>Annette et Lubin</cite> performed before Empress -Catherine, whom nature had eminently fitted to appreciate -grace and subtlety as well as grandeur and -brilliancy. I well remember the select company of -that most brilliant Court when Ségur’s <cite>Crispin -Duègne</cite> was produced, and Cobentzel gave his -admirable interpretation. Then there was my own -play, <cite>L’Amant Ridicule</cite>, whose author, I am afraid, -was, perhaps, more ridiculous than the lover. The -most amusing part of the entertainment, however, -was enacted in the house itself with its throng of -cranks, faddists, and eccentric characters, each of -whom had supplied me with a kind of model, and -who, as everywhere, applauded like mad without -recognising themselves. Most vivid to my mind is -the theatre at Ferney, where Voltaire himself played -before us the most comic scenes from Molière, and -was convulsed with laughter, which rather spoilt the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_156">156</a></span> -effect he aimed at. Then came Trianon, “Trianon -with an angelic queen playing royally badly before -a crowd of courtiers intoxicated with her beauty.”’</p> - -<p>After that, with his essentially eighteenth century -grace, he recounted to us some of the conversations -of Versailles, redolent of wit and cleverness.</p> - -<p>‘These are admirable recollections, prince,’ said the -Comte de Witt.</p> - -<p>‘Yes,’ was the reply, ‘I have opened my eyes and -ears a great deal, and I have an excellent memory. -My stories are only reproductions.’</p> - -<p>That day was spent delightfully among friends. In -the evening I went to admire the expressive pantomime -of Bigottini in <cite>Nina</cite>, and I wound up by going -to the Comtesse de Fuchs’s. Her drawing-room was -crowded as usual; fortunately I managed to find a -seat near the Baron Ompteda. With the serious -face of an ancient augur, Ompteda was one of the -most originally clever men I have ever met. No -one could sketch a portrait in a few words better -than he. People dreaded his tongue as much as his -sketches. But a staunch friend withal, whose epigrams -were due to a twist of the intellect rather than -to a deficiency of heart.</p> - -<p>While the crowd was buzzing around us on -every side, Ompteda took to reviewing some of -our acquaintances that were there and also those -who entered subsequently.</p> - -<p>‘Since you were last in Vienna,’ he said, ‘the -capital has suffered a siege and a foreign occupation; -nevertheless, you’ll find few changes. Matters lending -themselves to ridicule are as plentiful as ever; -they are practically the image of the immobility of -the Austrian government. Only, they are becoming -more apparent, in consequence of the century’s -progress.</p> - -<p>‘The drawing-rooms of society are just as you -left them. The one in which we are seated has not -ceased to be the special resort of the friends of our<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_157">157</a></span> -charming <em>queen</em>. Never was a title more deserved, -and her subjects have never revolted against her -yoke. I have seen few women who have as many -friends as she; but, what is more rare, she has the -talent of binding them so closely together that in -spite of events and absence they never become -strangers to each other. A common affection for her -seems to be the basis of her government; our union -is its strength, and our happiness a guarantee of its -duration. Honestly, I do not think there is a more -easy despotism than hers, or a code more gentle to -observe. In her empire, you’ll find, as always, -politeness without sham, frankness without abruptness, -mutual regard without flattery, and willingness -to oblige without constraint.</p> - -<p>‘There is, on the foremost plane, dear Major Fuchs, -the happy and peaceful possessor of this treasure. We -all envy him. He continues, as of old, the enthusiastic -champion of the organisation of the Vienna -Militia, to which he owes his grade, and on which, -he maintains, depend the glory and the salvation of -the Austrian monarchy.</p> - -<p>‘Next comes the Comtesse Laure, his wife, ever -the same, kind and good, and wholly unaffected. -Her girlish face seems to be the mirror of her -excellent heart. There are women whose features -are more regularly beautiful, but hers are stamped -with a sweet and animated expression which the -mere art of pleasing would vainly endeavour to -imitate. And the real secret of keeping her friends -attached to her for all time lies probably in her -conciliatory disposition, which, however, is not marked -by any weakness where firmness is required.</p> - -<p>‘Here is the Chanoinesse Kinsky, whose expression -of unaffected kindness imparts a charm to her face -to such a degree as to hide the ravages of gradually -advancing years.</p> - -<p>‘Here are the Princesses de Courland. In the -first place, the beautiful Duchesse de Sagan, with her<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_158">158</a></span> -ardent admiration for everything that is grand and -heroic. Her exceeding loveliness is only the least of -her qualifications. Her sister, the Comtesse Edmond -de Périgord, presents an indefinable but charming -whole by reason of her gait, movements, bearing, -and voice. Both her face and her figure possess the -irresistible charm without which the most perfect -beauty is practically powerless. It is a flower seemingly -ignorant of the perfume it emits. Finally, there -is the third of the Courland Graces, the delightful -Duchesse d’Exerenza, in whose person are united -all the admirable attributes of the other two.</p> - -<p>‘On the second plane stands Walmoden, who in -spite of his being a field-marshal to-day, has remained -the simple and good-natured creature of former times. -The same may be said of the Prince de Hesse-Hombourg. -Military glory has not induced pride; his -noble and stately manners are altogether tempered -by a sweet and affectionate disposition. Prince -Philippe is one of those men whom neither spite -nor sarcasm can touch. In his familiar intercourse -with his fellow-mortals, he is as distinguished -for the noble impulses of his heart as he is famed on -the battle-field for his brilliant valour and his promptness -of perception.</p> - -<p>‘Reuss is always in the clouds; I do not pretend to -follow him thither. Not having travelled, he has had -little opportunity of seeing things; consequently, he -mistakes the effects of his imagination for the results -of learning, his desire to know for the elements of -science, vagueness for tact. In short, he is the living -proof that with much cleverness and the germ of -talent, a man may make himself unbearable in society -by the constant display of small defects calculated -to irritate those around him.</p> - -<p>‘Just cast your eye in the direction of the -Courland princesses, to the Prince de Lichtenstein -seated near them, who is as much at home in the -drawing-room as on the battle-field. They call him<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_159">159</a></span> -the “monster-prince,” but I can assure you he is an -Azor who has captivated many Zémires.<a id="FNanchor_67" href="#Footnote_67" class="fnanchor">67</a> He counts -as many successes with the fair sex as mentions in -the “orders of the day.”</p> - -<p>‘The Duc d’Exerenza, the happy husband of a -charming woman, is one of the mortals who, as Figaro -has it, “gave themselves the trouble to be born.” -All things considered, he is not a “bad sort.”</p> - -<p>‘De Gentz is the custodian of all the secrets of -Europe, just as in a short time he’ll possess all the -orders of it. One of the many voices of that silent -being constitutes the Austrian government; what with -his manifestoes, his newspapers, and his proclamations, -he has, perhaps, been as formidable an opponent -to Napoleon as the snow-bound steppes of Russia. -The honours and the ribands are, however, not exclusively -the things he wants. The sovereigns are also -aware of his love of money, and they simply gorge -him with it. Overwhelmed with work and business, -satiated with pleasure, he has, nevertheless, flung himself -into the maëlstrom of society in the hope of finding -some excitement which will take him “out of -himself.” It is most doubtful whether his road to -happiness lies in that direction.</p> - -<p>‘Ferdinand de Palfi is as sprightly as a fairy -figure: his cousin is a living Pactolus. The first -gambles, wins much money, and with his gains has -built himself a magnificent mansion, which people -call “a house of cards.” He welcomes his friends -there with the happy face he wears to-night, and his -friends are legion. François is handsome among the -handsome, very lavish with women, who simply worship -him. Both, it is no exaggeration to say, are -under a lucky star.</p> - -<p>‘Prince Paul Esterhazy is kind and affectionate, -but somewhat distant in manner. He also has only<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_160">160</a></span> -to let life glide by without taking trouble. Assuredly, -he has a unique future before him. I asked Malfati -yesterday how Paul’s father, Prince Nicolas, who is -no longer young, can keep up with all these gay -doings without impairing his health. “It is his -happiness that keeps him up,” replied the physician. -Happiness considered in that light is, unfortunately, -not as yet a medical prescription.’</p> - -<p>Just as the baron had finished his portraits, supper -was served.</p> - -<p>The principal topic of conversation was the -imperial <i>carrousel</i> which was to take place the next -day. The young Comte de Woyna, who was to be -one of the twenty-four knights, gave us all the particulars -of the preparations, and was eagerly listened -to, for the interest and curiosity of the moment -centred there. Even business and pleasure paled -before that memorable fête, which in itself was to -condense all the splendour of the Congress.</p> - -<p>The day so much longed for broke at last. The -preparations had occupied so many weeks as to leave -no doubt about the intentions of the Court to display -all the marvels of its pomp and the resources of its -wealth. The fête was to conjure up all the brilliant -and poetical traditions of the past. The last traces -of the recreations of ancient chivalry were effaced -before the last vestiges of feudalism. Our age, -wholly practical in war as in love, no longer lends -itself to those ingenious and delightful theories of -mediævalism. The enthusiasm of the heart, the elevation -of thought, and the abnegation of passion have -disappeared from our manners and customs, and been -replaced by a serious and polished selfishness. One -is no longer the chosen knight of this or that fair -one. One no longer maintains, lance in hand, the -superiority of her charms against all comers; one no -longer risks one’s life for a scarf embroidered by her -fingers. Love nowadays avoids attracting attention; -it is only an accessory of life, and its first care is<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_161">161</a></span> -to wrap itself round as if with some mysterious -veil.</p> - -<p>The manners and customs of ancient chivalry are, -nevertheless, deserving of regret. Love, thus understood -and openly professed, was not only the life of -the heart but the source of great thoughts and noble -passions. It must have been grand to proclaim one’s -disinterested courage, one’s contempt of danger, when -the sole recompense hoped for was a word or a smile -from the woman beloved.</p> - -<p>The fair sex especially must regret those changes -in our social habits. Ever since the levelling tendency -of general civilisation lowered the standard -of our feelings, women have lost that ideal empire -in which they reigned as sovereigns; they have -descended from a throne to be confounded with the -crowd. It is not difficult, then, to imagine their -interest in the preparations for a fête the object -of which was to bring back to the mind, and to -revive, as it were, the forms and spirit of the age of -chivalry.</p> - -<p>The Prince de Ligne had presented me with one -of the tickets sent to him by the great Marshal -Trauttmansdorff. At seven we were on our way -together to the Burg.</p> - -<p>‘Do not imagine,’ said the prince while we were -trundling along, ‘that you are going to witness a -combat to the death. It will be neither a <i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">pas -d’armes</i> [the disputing of a passage by one or several -knights], nor, least of all, an appeal to “the judgment -of God,” in which the vanquished could only redeem -his life by entering a monastery. Those serious contests -have been replaced by more graceful and less -violent exercises. Our modern redressers of wrongs -in their tournaments uphold the incomparable beauty -of their lady by the power of their lances in as peaceable -a manner as the champions of old defended a -thesis at the “Courts of Love.” Hence, we need -apprehend no fatal accident like that which put an<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_162">162</a></span> -end to the life of Henri <span class="smcap smaller">II.</span>, and caused the abolition -of the lists of the Middle Ages.’</p> - -<p>Several officers, under the orders of the grand-master -of the ceremonies, the Comte de Wurmbrandt, -were ready at the doors to conduct the -guests to their seats. General curiosity had reached -so high as to lead, it was said, to the forging of -tickets, which were sold at an enormous price. In -consequence of this the police of Vienna had been -compelled to institute the most minute researches. -The imperial riding-school, constructed by Charles <span class="smcap smaller">V.</span>, -and ever since called the ‘Hall of the Carrousel,’ had -been set apart for the function. The structure, the -vast interior of which is as spacious as an ordinary -church, has the form of a long parallelogram. All -around it there runs a circular gallery communicating -with the apartments of the palace. Seats for twelve -hundred spectators rose in a magnificent sweep of tiers. -The gallery was divided into four-and-twenty sections -by as many Corinthian columns, against which were -hung the scutcheons of the knights with their arms -and mottoes.</p> - -<p>At each end of the vast arena two stands, occupying -the whole length of the building, had been erected. -They were draped with the most gorgeous textile -stuffs; the one set apart for the sovereigns, empresses, -queens, and reigning princes; the other, exactly facing -it, intended for the ladies of the twenty-four paladins -about to prove that they were the fairest among the -fair. Above these stands were the orchestras, in -which forgathered all that Vienna could boast in the -way of distinguished musicians.</p> - -<p>One of the lateral galleries was reserved for the -ambassadors, the ministers, and the plenipotentiaries -of Europe, for the military celebrities, and for the -illustrious foreign families. The Austrian, Hungarian, -and Polish nobles occupied the other gallery. Immediately -under the imperial stand was the row of -rings to be carried away by the competitors at full<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_163">163</a></span> -tilt. Ranged round the arena on pillars were Turkish -and Moorish heads with the traditional turban, equally -intended to serve as targets for the combatants. No -doubt the hatred of the Teuton warriors for their -invaders and implacable foes was kept up in days of -yore by similar devices. Finally, in order to prevent -accidents, the floor of the riding-school was hidden -beneath a layer of fine sand, half-a-foot deep. At -the door of the hall there was a barrier, marking the -entrance to the lists. Behind that door were posted -the heralds-of-arms with their trumpets and in -gorgeous costumes. Numberless lustres and candelabra -holding wax candles shed through this huge -interior a light scarcely inferior to that of day.</p> - -<p>We were seated between Field-marshal Walmoden -and the Prince Philippe de Hesse-Hombourg. Near us -was the Prince Nicolas Esterhazy in his uniform of the -Hungarian hussars, the magnificent embroidery of -which was in itself sufficient to excite the greatest -curiosity. The first row of our gallery was occupied -by the handsomest and most eminent women of -Viennese society: the Princesses Marie Esterhazy, -de Wallstein, Jean de Lichtenstein, de Stahremberg, -de Colloredo, de Metternich, de Schwartzenberg, the -Comtesses Batthyani, de Durkeim, etc. The opposite -gallery held the foreign ladies. In the back -rows, the ‘highnesses,’ the diplomatic ‘excellencies’ -of every country, of every degree of importance, -constituted an almost unbroken line of glittering -gold and diamonds in their Court dresses and uniforms -disappearing beneath their orders and embroideries. -A relief was afforded by the red of Cardinal Gonzalvi’s -dress; and a little further on by the turban of the -Pasha of Widdin, the caftan of Mauroyeny<a id="FNanchor_68" href="#Footnote_68" class="fnanchor">68</a> and the -colpack of Prince Manug, Bey of Murza. These -seemed to supply a kind of variant to this incomparable -splendour.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_164">164</a></span> -‘Just look at Lady Castlereagh, close to the stand -of the sovereigns,’ said the Prince de Ligne. ‘She -is wearing her husband’s Garter in diamonds as a -kind of tiara. That is a little bit of facetious vanity, -not contemplated by courteous Edward <span class="smcap smaller">III.</span> when he -picked up the blue ribbon that fastened the stocking -of the handsome Alice of Salisbury. Pride, when it -wishes to make itself conspicuous, often plays us -some scurvy tricks.’</p> - -<p>At eight to the minute a blast of trumpets by the -heralds announced the arrival of the twenty-four -ladies, escorted by their valiant champions. They -took their seats in the first row of their stand.</p> - -<p>All, in virtue of their grace and beauty, deserved the -name of ‘belles d’amour’ that had been given to them. -They were the Princesses Paul Esterhazy, Marie de -Metternich, the Comtesses de Périgord, Rzewuska, -Marassi, Sophie Zichy, etc. It is impossible to -imagine a more gorgeous and at the same time -graceful spectacle. These ladies were divided into -four quadrilles, each distinguished by the colour of -their dresses, namely, emerald green, crimson, blue, -and black. All their dresses were made of velvet, -trimmed with priceless lace and sparkling with -precious stones.</p> - -<p>The whole of their costumes had been copied in -the minutest details from those of the sixteenth -and seventeenth centuries. The quadrille that had -adopted emerald green wore the Hungarian national -dress. It consisted of a long open tunic over a petticoat -of white satin, fastened from the bust to the -knees with diamond pins. Placed at regular intervals, -the openings between these pins disclosed the -satin, the dazzling white and glimmer of which presented -a most delicious contrast to the rich green of -the velvet. Other diamond hooks likewise marked -openings from the waist to the shoulder. The bodice -itself, flat-busted, was covered with valuable gems. -A principal wide and floating sleeve of velvet, opening<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_165">165</a></span> -from the shoulder, fell along the arm; beneath was -another ample sleeve of white satin, embroidered -like the bodice, but in gold and coloured jewels. On -their heads they wore velvet toques, entirely covered -with precious stones. Finally, a long gossamer veil, -picked out with gold, fastened to the head-dress, and -descending as far as the feet, enwrapped the wearer -in a kind of beautiful haze.</p> - -<p>The other quadrilles had chosen respectively -the Polish, Austrian, and French costumes of the -Louis <span class="smcap smaller">XIII.</span> period. A glance at them easily induced -the belief that all the trinket-caskets of the Austrian -monarchy had been ransacked. The ornaments worn -on that evening by these two dozen fair ones were -estimated at thirty millions of francs. Those of the -Princesse Esterhazy, <i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">née</i> Tour et Taxis, figured in that -estimate for about six millions.</p> - -<p>As soon as the ‘love beauties’ had taken their -seats, presenting, as it were, a line of angelic faces, -all eyes were turned towards them. Motionless, and -enveloped in their long, transparent veils, they seemed -to await with the utmost calm the moment of their -triumph. A second blast of trumpets announced the -arrival of the sovereigns. At their entrance everybody -rose, the four-and-twenty ladies flung back their -veils, and stood forth revealed in all their beauty, and -were greeted with unanimous applause, mingled with -the acclamations due to the presence of the monarchs.</p> - -<p>The Emperor of Austria took his seat in the centre -of the stand, with the two empresses by his side; the -other sovereigns and reigning princes being placed -according to their precedence. The seats, upholstered -in velvet, were resplendent with gold and embroidery. -The Emperor of Russia, confined to his apartments -through indisposition, was not present at this fête, -but another was given in his honour a few days later, -at which the details of the first were reproduced -with mathematical precision.</p> - -<p>The illustrious guests of the Austrian Court in their<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_166">166</a></span> -most brilliant uniforms, or with their most magnificent -ornaments, constituted an imposing sight. In the -front row of the imperial stand, to the right and to -the left of the empresses, were the Queen of Bavaria, -the Duchesse Béatrice d’Este, the Grande-Duchesse -d’Oldenbourg, and her sister, Marie de Weimar; -behind them sat the Kings of Prussia, Würtemberg, -and Denmark; the Princes of Prussia, Würtemberg, -and Bavaria, the Prince Eugène de Beauharnais, and -finally the Arch-Dukes Charles, Albert, Ferdinand, -Maximilien d’Este, Jean, and Regnier.</p> - -<p>There had been whispers to the effect that Marie-Louise -and her young son would be present at these -fêtes, but they neither came to this one nor to the -other. Marie-Louise, in fact, was in such a false -position as to have considered it simply consistent -with her dignity in misfortune to live in retirement.<a id="FNanchor_69" href="#Footnote_69" class="fnanchor">69</a> -Consequently she rarely left the Palace of Schönbrunn. -The Prince de Ligne told me, however, that -in the company of her father and of her young sisters -she had been present at several of the rehearsals.</p> - -<p>The sovereigns and the spectators being seated, -the building immediately rang with stirring military -music, and the twenty-four champions appeared at -the barrier. They were the pick of the nobility of -Europe. The majority had gained their spurs elsewhere -during the recent wars. If all shone in virtue -of their personal glory and their illustrious birth, -they were not less distinguished by their physical -advantages. It was said that there had been rivalry -in earnest in pursuit of the honour of filling a rôle in -the scenes imitated from ancient times. Finally the -choice, which was tantamount to a patent of elegance -and grace, was fixed on the youngest and handsomest. -Foremost among them were the Princes Vincent Esterhazy, -Antoine Kadziwill, Leopold de Saxe-Cobourg, -the Comtes Felix Woyna, Petersen, the Vicomte de<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_167">167</a></span> -Wargemont, the Prince Charles de Lichtenstein, Louis -de Schenye, Louis de Schönfeldt, and young Trauttmansdorff, -the son of the Master of the Horse.</p> - -<p>The dresses of these knights had been exactly -modelled on those of the reign of François <span class="smcap smaller">I.</span>, <i>i.e.</i> of -the period when ‘chivalry,’ after a last short blaze, -was extinguished for ever. Like their fair dames, the -knights were divided into four quadrilles, each being -marked by the colour adopted by the corresponding -feminine quadrille. The dress was composed of a -velvet doublet, tight at the waist, with puffed sleeves, -and lappets lined with satin. The front of the doublet -was fastened with buttons and laces of gold; below -this came the close-fitting hose and trunks, with -yellow boots reaching to the calves, and provided -with gilt spurs. The hands were cased in gloves of -a similar colour, embroidered with gold, and ending -in gauntlets; while on their heads they wore large -hats turned up in front, with the plume of feathers -drooping from the side and fastened with a diamond -buckle. The swords were suspended from baldricks -encrusted with precious stones. Each fair one had -presented her knight with an ample band of stuff -embroidered in silk and gold. The scarf was tied in -a bow at the side of the sword-hand. The knights -bestrode Hungarian horses of the rarest beauty, and -remarkable for their quickness of movement and their -perfect training. Their sleek coats, black as ebony, -were almost entirely hidden beneath their rich caparisons. -Each knight carried a long lance ‘in rest’ -on his knee. Four-and-twenty pages with banners -displayed preceded them, while in their wake -came an equal number of squires, dressed Spanish -fashion, their bucklers inscribed with emblems and -mottoes.</p> - -<p>The pages and squires drew up in line on each side -of the arena. The four-and-twenty knights, two -abreast, rode up first to the stand of the sovereigns, -and lowered their lances in sign of salutation and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_168">168</a></span> -obedience before the queens and empresses; the latter -graciously responded with a wave of their hands. -Retracing their steps, the knights direct their horses -to the other stand, and offer similar homage to their -ladies, who, however, rise in response, and thus give -the spectators an opportunity of judging the beauty -of their features, the elegance of their figures, and the -richness of their dresses. After riding twice round -the arena, all the paladins retire, awaiting a new -signal.</p> - -<p>The heralds soon sound a joyous blast, which is -answered by the musicians in the orchestras. The -lists are open, and the different games intended to -show the skill and strength of the competitors begin. -Six knights, followed by their pages and squires, -appear. They begin with the <i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">pas de lance</i> (tilting at -the ring); the horses are put to the gallop, and each -knight, rapidly borne along, removes at the point of -his lance one of the rings suspended before the -imperial stand. Each quadrille repeats the same -movement three times, until the rings have mostly -disappeared, and the dexterity of the competitors has -been put to a severe test. At the end of this first -exercise the lances with the rings carried by each -upon them are handed to the squires, and the second -game begins. Each champion, armed with a short -dart, flings it with consummate skill at the Saracens’ -heads, and without slackening his pace picks from -the ground, by means of a second curved javelin, the -dart he has just flung. After that, drawing their -swords, and bent on the necks of their cattle, the -knights gallop towards their motionless adversaries, -and strike them, endeavouring, however, to cut them -down altogether.</p> - -<p>Half-a-dozen different games followed, and the -whole was wound up by a cleverly simulated combat -between the knights—so cleverly simulated that the -Prince de Lichtenstein bit the dust, and was carried -away unconscious. It was an accident which, but for<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_169">169</a></span> -the cries from the ladies’ stand, would have passed -unnoticed, for though the knights endeavoured, as in -the jousts of old, to dismount their rivals, certain -regulations strictly limiting the bounds of attack and -defence had been fixed, and the moment there was -the faintest sign of their being exceeded by this -or that combatant, the heralds-of-arms interfered, -suspended the offender, and a new knight took his -place.</p> - -<p>The shrieks of the <i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">belles d’amour</i> were altogether -spontaneous, for they did not imitate their ancestresses, -who in the tourneys of old encouraged their champions -by their cries to do battle for their renown to -the last; the modern dames and damsels confined -themselves to the bestowal of expressive looks and -sweet smiles. Perhaps these contained as much encouragement -as the more noisy demonstrations of -approval, although the Prince de Ligne, to judge -from his remarks, would have fain seen the fair ones -revert to the ancient customs, ‘What delights me -above all in these revivals of chivalric practices is the -image of valour and skill inspired by love,’ he said. -‘Unquestionably, our ancestors understood the love-passion -better than we do. They introduced it into -everything—into their games and into their combats. -The love-passion in those days must have been a -grand and noble feeling; it was the twin-sister of -glory. With us, love is only a matter of pleasure. -Instead of making it, as of old, an incentive to the -dangers of war or to the splendid perils of the lists, -our poets and novelists have relegated it to a cottage. -But “love in a cottage,” as has been aptly said, “soon -becomes a cottage without love.” The modern taste -for tournaments,’ he went on, ‘is no new thing. I did -not see the jousts organised by the great Catherine -at St. Petersburg in the first years of her reign, but -I have often been told the particulars. Their most -remarkable feature was the active participation of -women. They competed as well as the men. The<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_170">170</a></span> -celebrated Marshal Münnich<a id="FNanchor_70" href="#Footnote_70" class="fnanchor">70</a> was principal umpire. -The favourite, Gregory Orloff, and his brother Alexis -were at the heads of the quadrilles. The first prize -for skill and grace was won by the handsome -Comtesse Bouturlin, the daughter of the great Chancellor -Woronzoff. When handing it to her, the old -marshal decided that she should distribute the rest -of the wreaths to the dames and knights. It really -seemed as if Catherine had exhausted all kinds of -pleasure and splendour, but there is, after all, something -left.’</p> - -<p>While the prince was talking the four-and-twenty -knights, this time actively assisted by their pages -and squires, executed several difficult evolutions, -attesting their skill and perfect horsemanship, and -the whole was wound up by a kind of equine set-dance, -in which the quadrupeds disputed the palm -with their riders. Then the knights made the round of -the arena, saluted the sovereigns and their own dames, -and disappeared in the same order as they had come.</p> - -<p>The sovereigns themselves intimated by rising that -the entertainment was at an end, while the knights -made their appearance in the stand allotted to their -dames, escorting them to the huge rooms of the palace -set apart for the ball and the supper. These rooms -were filled with flowers, and decorated with exquisite -taste; a flood of light as brilliant as the orb of day -showed the women in all their resplendent beauty; -they and their champions became the centre of general -admiration, the sovereigns having resumed the incognito, -some of them, by the aid of dominos, disappearing -altogether in the crowd.</p> - -<p>In the principal room there was a chief table with -its service entirely of gold. It stood on a kind of -platform a few feet from the ground, and was reserved -exclusively for the royal guests of the Congress. To -its left there was another table almost equally magnificent,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_171">171</a></span> -set apart for the princes, the archdukes, the -chiefs of reigning houses, and the ministers of the -great Powers. To the right there was a third table -of forty-eight covers for the actors of the tournament. -Around the room and in the adjoining ones smaller -tables were spread, at which the guests took their -seats without distinction of rank. The perfume of -the baskets of flowers, the glitter of the ornaments -worn, the brilliancy of the diamonds, mingling with -the colours of the floral decorations, and constituting, -as it were, ever so many shifting rainbows, the sheen -of the golden fruit-baskets—in short, the whole presented -the most magnificent sight hitherto witnessed -anywhere. The magic of that picture transported the -spectator to one of the fairy scenes created by a poetic -imagination. During the collation minstrels sang, to -the accompaniment of their harps, lays to the beauty -of the dames and to the valour of their knights.</p> - -<p>At the royal board the Empress of Austria was -seated between the Kings of Prussia and Denmark. -Emperor Francis had by his side respectively the -Empress Elizabeth and the Grande-Duchesse d’Oldenbourg. -A little further on was the charming Marie, -Duchesse de Weimar, and by her side the Prince -Guillaume de Prusse [the future Wilhelm <span class="smcap smaller">I.</span> King of -Prussia and German Emperor]. The ‘immense’ King -of Würtemberg looks, as usual, pre-occupied. The -table, in front of him, has been cut away to accommodate -his portly person. A glance at him causes -one to speculate upon the potentiality of nature -in stretching the human skin. King Frederick of -Denmark supplies an instance to the contrary; but -his intellect, his never-failing animation, his tact and -the rest of his admirable qualities, which would have -transformed an ordinary individual into a remarkable -man, have made of this monarch a being worshipped -by everybody. Excellent Maximilian of Bavaria -shows on his open face the genuine expression of -satisfaction and kindness.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_172">172</a></span> -At the table occupied by the paladins, Mme. -Edmond de Périgord is seated by the young Comte -de Trauttmansdorff, her knight. As remarkable for -her beauty as for her tasteful dress, she captivates -everybody by the charm of her remarks, both -animated and clever. The other feminine glories of -the tournament vie with each other in keeping the -conversational ball rolling. After the banquet a -move was made to the ball-room. More than three -thousand invitations had been issued. All that -Vienna contained in the shape of illustrious personages, -whether in virtue of their birth, rank, or -functions were there forgathered. No memory could -recall so many names celebrated in this or that -respect. No pen could adequately describe all those -statesmen to whom Europe had confided the interests -of her destiny. Here, the Comte de Loevenhielm, -M. de Bernstorff, and the Prince d’Hardemberg<a id="FNanchor_71" href="#Footnote_71" class="fnanchor">71</a> -calmly discussing the claim submitted to the Congress -by the deposed King Gustavus-Adolphus—a claim -supported by Admiral Sir Sidney Smith with more -perseverance than success. There, M. de Humboldt, -the Duc de Dalberg, the Baron de Wessemberg, -familiarly debating the problems connected with -Saxony and Poland. Further on, the Commandeur -Alvaro Ruffo and M. de Palmella speculating upon -the fate reserved for Italy. Still further on, M. de -Metternich and M. de Nesselrode in lively conversation -with Lord Castlereagh, and, to judge from the -seriousness of their faces, not commenting on the -joke just perpetrated by the Englishman [Irishman?]<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_173">173</a></span> -in connection with the temporary transformation of -the Garter into a tiara. While the fate of Naples, -Sweden, and Poland is apparently hanging in the -balance, waltzing and dancing are going on, without -the least concern about all these questions. The -quadrilles had been arranged beforehand. In the -centre of the principal ball-room, the quadrilles of -the ‘forty-eight’ notable figures formed the chief -attraction. The sun had appeared on the horizon -before the last guests left the Burg.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_174">174</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2><a id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX</h2> -</div> - -<blockquote> - -<p>Recollections of the Military Tournament of Stockholm in 1800—The -Comte de Fersen—King Gustavus <span class="smcap smaller">IV.</span>—The Challenge of the -Unknown Knight—The Games on the Bridge at Pisa.</p></blockquote> - -<p>During the next four days the whole of Vienna -seemed engrossed with the accounts of the magnificence -of the <i>carrousel</i>. Every particular was eagerly caught -up, the names of the knights and their dames were -on everybody’s lips. There were frequent allusions -to the accident to Prince Lichtenstein, whose life had -for some time been in danger. In short, the <i>carrousel</i> -was the inevitable subject of every conversation.</p> - -<p>At a reception at the Princesse Jean de Lichtenstein’s, -the whole of the programme was minutely -reviewed; some praised and others criticised the -knights and their dames, the feats accomplished, the -horses, the evolutions, etc. Nevertheless, the upshot -of all the remarks was that, in respect of splendour, -nothing like it had ever been seen in Europe, and -that no fête of that kind had ever been attended by -an equal number of spectators.<a id="FNanchor_72" href="#Footnote_72" class="fnanchor">72</a></p> - -<p>‘It is perfectly natural that Germany, which is the -birthplace of tournaments, should endeavour to revive -their glory on such a solemn occasion,’ said Prince -Philippe de Hesse-Hombourg. ‘I do not think that -anything of the kind has ever been attempted since -Louis <span class="smcap smaller">XIV.</span>‘s time,’ said the hostess. ‘If Colbert had -seen our knights and their fair ones, he would probably -have admitted being beaten.’</p> - -<p>I reminded them that the first years of the nineteenth<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_175">175</a></span> -century had been marked by several of those -tournaments; and that I myself had witnessed one -in Stockholm given by Gustavus-Adolphus <span class="smcap smaller">IV.</span> At -the commencement of his reign that prince endeavoured -to preserve in Sweden the brilliant valour and -the elegant and courtly manners of which the Court -of Gustavus <span class="smcap smaller">III.</span> had afforded such perfect models. He -was passionately fond of those warlike exercises, and -they generally took place at his summer residence of -Drotningholm. ‘Assuredly,’ I remarked, ‘the Vienna -<i>carrousel</i> has been admirable throughout from a spectacular -point of view. But that which I saw in 1800 -could vie with it, not in respect of its pomp and -splendour, or by reason of the eminent rank of its -spectators, but through its faithful adherence to, and -accurate reproduction of, ancient traditions. It was, -moreover, marked by an incident which recalled the -chivalric and often bloody encounters of the fourteenth -and fifteenth centuries.’ As a matter of course, -I was pressed to give further particulars, and this, as -far as my memory serves me, is what I told them.</p> - -<div class="tb">* <span class="in2">* </span><span class="in2">* </span><span class="in2">* </span><span class="in2">*</span></div> - -<p>The tournament was given in honour of the queen’s -birthday, and for several months beforehand the -northern Courts had been apprised of it. The young -king was to figure among the champions, and the -queen, one of the handsomest women of her time, was -to crown the victor and present to him in the presence -of the whole Court the reward of his skill, which -consisted of a scarf wholly embroidered by her own -hands. Nothing had been left undone to invest this -fête with all the prestige that formerly marked those -of Louis <span class="smcap smaller">XIV.</span>, the accounts of which had fairly astonished -the whole of Europe.</p> - -<p>The Comte de Fersen,<a id="FNanchor_73" href="#Footnote_73" class="fnanchor">73</a> whose physical advantages<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_176">176</a></span> -and lucky star had placed him in such high favour at -the Court of France, came to fetch us, ‘my father’ [the -Marquis de Chambonas, who had adopted the author] -and me, to escort us to Drotningholm. Before proceeding -thither, he had to take on his way the Comte de -Paar, his fellow-umpire at the tournament, who, in -virtue of being a ‘Gentleman of the Chamber,’ had -been present at the rehearsal of a ballet to be given on -that very evening for the first time at the opera. No -sooner had we reached the doors of the magnificent -structure, due to Gustavus <span class="smcap smaller">III.</span>‘s love of art, than we -were conducted to a room preceding the royal box, -where a collation was awaiting us. It was there -that Gustavus-Adolphus supped when he came to the -theatre, and that, divesting himself of all his royal -prerogatives, he became the equal of his friends. -In tragic contrast with the rest of the magnificent -and sumptuous furniture, with all those gold, silken, -and alabaster decorations, one could not help noticing -a crimson velvet couch with stains all over it. It -was on this couch that Gustavus-Adolphus <span class="smcap smaller">III.</span> had -been laid during the night of the 16th March 1792, -after the exploit of Ankarstroem. The blood from -his wound had practically soaked the material. -Though it would have been extremely simple to -remove the piece of furniture, thus effacing the trace -of a crime committed in a place devoted to pleasure, -the king, from motives it was not easy to guess, had -insisted upon the couch remaining there, perhaps as -an object lesson or merely as a remembrance.<a id="FNanchor_74" href="#Footnote_74" class="fnanchor">74</a></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_177">177</a></span> -The Comte de Paar soon joined us, and shortly afterwards -we were on our way to the Queen’s demesne, -about four leagues from Stockholm. Numerous carriages -were performing the same journey, and they -rendered the picturesque Swedish country road more -animated than usual.</p> - -<p>A dense crowd had gathered since early morning -around the castle, blocking up every approach to it. -They were on foot, on horseback, and in every kind -of conveyance; nevertheless, most admirable order -prevailed throughout. Two Uhlans of the Guards -and an equerry were waiting for the Comte de Fersen, -who, in virtue of his functions as an umpire, was to -preside at the fête.</p> - -<p>At a little distance from the castle, in a pretty -valley overlooked by wooded heights, a circus had been -erected, with galleries capable of holding about four -thousand spectators. Its floor had disappeared beneath -a thick layer of the finest sand, and high and strong -palisades surrounded it on every side. The women, -in their richest apparel, were almost without exception -remarkable for the beauty peculiar to their -sisters of northern climes. The men were in uniform -or in Court dress. A cloak of black silk lined with -crimson satin was considered tantamount to gala -vesture. The grandees of the kingdom had all -donned the dresses connected with their functions. -Stands, draped with satin, and displaying the three -crowns of Sweden, were set apart for the ambassadors. -The ring was hung with Swedish standards. At -one end of the building was the pavilion for the -queen and her ladies of honour, particularly noticeable -for the coquettish mingling of its decorations, -consisting of flowers, weapons, and flags, intertwined -with simple and genuine elegance. Dupré, the French -architect, one of the most celebrated decorators of -Europe, had superintended all the arrangements.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_178">178</a></span> -At regular distances there were columns, from -some of which were suspended the rings for the -games, while others supported the Turks’ heads to -be slashed at by the competitors. The banners of -the knights selected to dispute the prize were first -borne in procession around the arena, then fixed -against the different barriers of the ring.</p> - -<p>Before leaving us Comte de Fersen had introduced -us to his friend, M. de Rozen, a young man who had -taken part in the previous <i>carrousel</i>, and who was, -therefore, in a position to give us full particulars of -the present one. The various emblems and mottoes -of the banners and scutcheons were as ingenious as -they were instructive in the true spirit of chivalry. -Among many I cite the <span class="locked">following:—</span></p> - -<p class="in0 in4"> -A sword on a field azure.<br /> -<span class="inm4">Motto—‘Je pars, je brille, je frappe.’</span><br /> -<span class="inm8">(I go, I shine, I strike.)</span><br /> - -A lion on a field starred.<br /> - -<span class="inm8q">‘La valeur soumet les astres.’</span><br /> -<span class="inm8">(Valour subjugates the stars.)</span><br /> - -A fire burning on an altar.<br /> - -<span class="inm8q">‘Ce qui est pur est éternel.’</span><br /> -<span class="inm8">(The pure lasts for ever.)</span><br /> - -An ermine climbing a steep height.<br /> - -<span class="inm8q">‘Tâche sans tache.’</span><br /> -<span class="inm8">(Try but keep stainless.)</span> -</p> - -<p>Finally, another shield, checkered red and yellow, -was that of Tonin, the jester of the late king. His -motto, though, would have given no clue to that -effect.</p> - -<p>It ran:</p> - -<div class="poem-container"> -<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> -<span class="iq">‘Tout par raison,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Raison par tout,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Partout raison.’<br /></span> -<span class="i0">(Every thing through reason,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Reason in every thing,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Everywhere reason.)<br /></span> -</div></div> -</div> - -<p>Tonin only jousted with witticisms, biting remarks -and wholesome truths, brought home to his hearers<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_179">179</a></span> -with a laugh; on all these points he could make -sure of the victory, for he varied them like his motto. -Among all these banners, resplendent with colour and -embroidery, there hung a black one without a squire -to guard it. We asked M. de Rozen to whom this -mournful standard belonged.</p> - -<p>‘Do you not know?’ he replied. ‘Have you not -read in the papers that a knight who wishes to remain -unknown has challenged to single combat the -champion sufficiently bold to dispute with him the -prize of the tournament? The prize, as you are aware, -is a scarf embroidered by the queen. At the time fixed -for calling the roll of the knights they found his glove -lying in the middle of the ring, and his black banner -planted where it is now; attached to it was his -buckler, with the following words on a star-spangled -blue ground:</p> - -<div class="poem-container"> -<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> -<span class="iq">‘Tra tanti una.’<br /></span> -<span class="i0">(Only one among all.)<br /></span> -</div></div> -</div> - -<p>‘To add to the strangeness of the challenge is his -choice of the battle-axe, which went out of use long -ago. The most curious stories are going the round -in connection with the challenge of that mysterious -Amadis. Among the different versions the most -implicitly believed in is the following:</p> - -<p>‘A young noble, sprung from one of the most -illustrious families of Great Britain, saw the Queen -at Baden when she was only Princess Dorothée-Wilhelmine. -He fell deeply in love with her. Considering -his rank and his immense fortune, he might -possibly have aspired to her hand with success. But -the two sisters of our queen having married respectively -the Emperor of Russia and Maximilien de -Bavière, reasons of state and the fitness of things -carried her to the throne of Sweden. The young -lord, unable to conquer a feeling which from that -moment was shorn of all hope, was mad enough -to gain admission surreptitiously to our Court, and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_180">180</a></span> -always under a fresh disguise. He was recognised -by the ladies-in-waiting of our queen, and narrowly -escaped the punishment due to his foolhardiness. -The rumour went that he had gone to America. Informed, -no doubt, with the rest of Europe of the -preparations for this tournament, he wished to make -an attempt to conquer or to die under the very eyes -of the woman he loves. It is even said that, knowing -the chivalric spirit of Gustavus-Adolphus, he -conceived the flattering hope of having a royal -adversary to contend with, with the possible chance -of succeeding him who, as he probably thought, -robbed him at first.</p> - -<p>‘The Comte de Torstenson, son of the field-marshal, -has offered to take up the challenge. He -has practised for some time with the battle-axe, and -acquired marvellous skill with it.’</p> - -<p>At that moment the harmonious strains of a hundred -instruments announced the arrival of the queen, and -every eye was turned towards her.</p> - -<p>Her perfect beauty and the stateliness of her -person would have revealed the sovereign under the -humblest dress. Surrounded by her Court ladies, -she took her seat under the canopy prepared for her. -Immediately the king at the head of his nobles -entered the ring and rode round it, saluting with his -lance all the ladies, who had risen at his coming.</p> - -<p>Gustavus-Adolphus <span class="smcap smaller">IV.</span> was at that time in his -twenty-second year. He was well built, had a -martial bearing, and a noble and frank countenance. -He was anxious to copy Charles <span class="smcap smaller">XII.</span>, and, to enhance -the likeness, he wore, as a rule, a blue coat, buttoned -to the chin, and had his hair brushed up from the roots. -But with the sword that performed such wonders at -Bender, he lacked the strong arm that had so often -made the sword victorious, and the genius that had -directed it.</p> - -<p>When he passed before the queen, in his magnificent -costume, with head erect and proud mien, and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_181">181</a></span> -holding his lance with a firm grip, his horse reared. -Gustavus tried to quiet it, but an accidental touch -of the spurs made matters worse, and he was within -an ace of being thrown. It was the same animal -he had ridden on the day of his coronation at Upsala, -and which had nearly killed him—an accident that, as -a matter of course, had furnished the superstitious -among his subjects with a thousand conjectures regarding -the future of his reign. The cause of the -mishap was, however, sufficiently simple. The -groom or equerry entrusted with the training of -the animal for the ceremony stopped every day before -the shop of a shoemaker, whose wife, a young Finnish -woman, amused herself by giving it a piece of bread -and salt. The handsome charger got thoroughly -used to stopping at the hospitable door, and when -Gustavus, the crown on his head and sceptre in hand, -proceeded to the cathedral, it refused to pass the -shop without its usual ration. The king, thinking -it was a mere whim on the animal’s part, put the -rowels into its flesh; the horse reared, crown and -sceptre rolled into the dust, and without the prompt -assistance of a page walking by the monarch’s -side, who by clutching at his boot restored his -equilibrium, Gustavus would have gone the way of -the royal insignia. At the news of the accident, the -fortune-teller, Arvidson, exclaimed, it was said, with -tears coursing down her cheeks: ‘The race of Wasa -has ceased to reign in Sweden.’<a id="FNanchor_75" href="#Footnote_75" class="fnanchor">75</a> At the slightest<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_182">182</a></span> -uncommon event of that reign, the prediction of the -fortune-teller was ‘trotted out’; as a matter of course -the spectators at the tournament at once added this -omen to the rest.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile, the barrier was thrown open to the -knights in their magnificent dresses. Divided into -quadrilles, they rode around the lists, and in passing -before the queen they saluted by lowering their lances. -All wore the colours of their dames in the form of -a scarf, a veil, a knot of ribbons, or a buckle. After -that, they put their horses through the boldest and -most graceful evolutions. When that warlike procession -was concluded, to the sound of blasts from -the combined bands of the regiments of the Guards -and the cheering of the crowd, they retired to await -the signal for the jousts.</p> - -<p>A herald-of-arms, taking his stand in the centre -of the arena, announced the opening of the tournament, -and added in a loud voice: ‘In the name of -the king, and according to the laws of the kingdom, -it is forbidden to any subject or alien to give or to -accept a challenge to single combat under no matter -what pretext. It would be senseless to imagine that -an enclosure intended for the display of games of skill -could with impunity serve for the shedding of blood -in the very presence of the queen.’</p> - -<p>The proclamation was received with signs of general -approval. The black banner of the unknown champion -was torn down, and contemptuously flung over the -barrier. After which, Gustavus rode up to the Comte -de Torstenson, who had taken up his position at the -entrance to the lists, and who wore a brilliant suit -of armour, with a magnificent breastplate, inlaid with -gold, over a coat of double mail, and whose hand -grasped a heavy battle-axe, which was lowered as his -king drew near.</p> - -<p>‘Comte de Torstenson,’ said Gustavus, holding out -his hand, ‘we appreciate your courage, and we thank you -for it, but we reserve it for a more noble opportunity.’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_183">183</a></span> -The lists were declared open. The king said in a -loud voice, ‘Let every one do his duty.’ Comte -Fersen in his capacity of judge replied: ‘Go.’ Then -the different games commenced and were kept up -for four hours. As at the Vienna <i>carrousel</i>, the -knights vied with each other in showing their skill, -their valour, and agility. The weather was magnificent; -its beauty seemed to enhance the general -enthusiasm. Scarfs fluttered in the air, joyous -applause and murmurs of praise broke forth at -every moment from lips as red as the rose, while -flowers were flung by hands trembling with emotion -and fell at the competitors’ feet.</p> - -<p>The contest was a long one; the champions vying -with each other in skill. Finally, Comte Piper was -adjudged the victor. The judge and the heralds proclaimed -his name and conducted him to the feet of -the queen, who, while complimenting him, vested him -with the scarf, the reward of his skill, and held out -the hand that embroidered the ornament for him to -kiss. The trumpets sounded a joyous blast, while -cheers broke forth greeting the victorious young -champion, who was moreover pelted with flowers. -His banner was hung upon a car drawn by two -milk-white reindeer richly caparisoned: Comte Fersen -had sent for them to his estate in Lapland to offer -them to the king. The car was escorted by the -whole of the Court across the park to the banqueting -hall at the castle. Several tables had been spread; -the king presided over that occupied by his family -and the victorious knight; the chancellor and the -grand officers of the crown presided over the others. -Refreshments were served to the people in the garden, -and when night set in, the gaiety that prevailed on -the immense lawn and in the bosky dells glittering -with lights invested the fête with the air of a family -gathering.</p> - -<p>After the banquet we went to the beautiful opera-house -to hear the lyrical drama of <cite>Gustave Wasa</cite>,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_184">184</a></span> -the music of which was by Piccini, and the libretto -by the late king. Finally, a general illumination of -the gardens, a torchlight procession, and enormous -fireworks fitly wound up the day, which doubtless -was among the small number of happy ones reserved -by fate for Gustavus-Adolphus <span class="smcap smaller">IV.</span></p> - -<div class="tb">* <span class="in2">* </span><span class="in2">* </span><span class="in2">* </span><span class="in2">*</span></div> - -<p>The guests of the Princesse Jean de Lichtenstein -had listened attentively to the particulars of a fête -which apparently did not belong to our own times. -The listeners, and especially the fair sex, had probably -expected a sequel to the challenge of the knight of -the black banner, which sequel, of course, was to -take the form of a ‘combat to the death.’ The -pacific termination of the tournament seemed to -cause more or less of a disappointment. I ventured -to remark that neither the tournament at Stockholm -nor the <i>carrousel</i> in Vienna could compare with the -games enacted on the bridge of Pisa, which, from -the standpoint of danger and tenacity of purpose, -presented the most perfect image of the old wars in -Italy of the Middle Ages. No one present but myself -had ever witnessed these games, and I was asked -to convey an idea of them.</p> - -<div class="tb">* <span class="in2">* </span><span class="in2">* </span><span class="in2">* </span><span class="in2">*</span></div> - -<p>The last of those games, at which I happened to be -present, took place during the short-lived existence -of the kingdom of Etruria.<a id="FNanchor_76" href="#Footnote_76" class="fnanchor">76</a> They had been abolished -long ago on account of the accidents to which they -gave rise. The queen’s consent to their revival was<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_185">185</a></span> -obtained with great difficulty. The origin of this -struggle cannot be fixed with any degree of certainty, -for though it was called ‘a game’ it was in reality -a battle. It is more than probable that they dated -from the long distant past; according to some, -they were Greek and almost as old as the Olympic -Games. The Pisans maintain that in the ancient -chronicles of their town there is a mention of the -names of some champions of Sainte-Marie who formed -part of the contingent despatched by their republic to -the Crusades. In our days Alfieri has given us a -poetical picture of those chivalric contests, with all -their perils and the passions they aroused.</p> - -<p>Pisa is traversed by the Arno; and a handsome -marble bridge connects the two quarters of the town. -One quarter has its patroness in the Virgin Mary, -the other is placed under the protection of St. -Anthony. When they celebrated those games in -days of old, each side chose three hundred champions -to proclaim and maintain the pre-eminence of their -patron’s banner against all comers. Those improvised -defenders were always selected from among -the strongest, the bravest, and most agile young -fellows of their quarter.</p> - -<p>They were clad in armour similar to that worn by -their ancestors in the palmy days of the republic. -Trained and drilled long beforehand by experienced -leaders, they stoutly prepared themselves both for -attack and defence. A massive breastplate, a helmet, -armlets, and cuish of steel constituted their means -of defence; their weapon of offence consisted of a -kind of club of hard wood, three feet long; one blow -dealt with force and precision was sufficient to disable -an adversary.</p> - -<p>A lowered barrier in the centre of the bridge -separated the combatants. At the stroke of three -from the cathedral towers, a cannon shot gave the -signal, and immediately the barrier was raised. -Amidst a furious blast of trumpets, the struggle<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_186">186</a></span> -began, and the blows from the heavy clubs rang on -the steel of the breastplates and helmets. That game, -almost as barbarous as the times that gave it birth, -lasted for three-quarters of an hour. At the discharge -of a second shot, the barrier was lowered, and -the party which had driven back the other from its -position, if but the length of a foot, was proclaimed -the victor. Cries of joy rang on the bank that had -gained the victory, while a mournful silence attested -the defeat and the disgrace of the opposite bank.</p> - -<p>In 1805 I happened to be in Pisa, and thanks to -some friends and the kindness of M. Aubusson de -la Feuillade, the French ambassador, I was enabled -to witness that extraordinary fête. It had been -announced throughout the length and breadth of -Italy some weeks before its celebration. At the -news of the forthcoming contest offered to strength -and dexterity, there was a rush from all parts of -combatants who had acquired a reputation for bravery -or herculean strength. There was, according to -report, one from Calabria, others from Ancona and -Geneva; Rome had sent a couple of Transteverinos, -and, wonderful to relate, the learned University of -Padua added to the contingent with a professor -reputed to be the strongest man of Italy. Personages -belonging to the highest classes of Italian society -had inscribed themselves under the name of some of -their retainers: assured of preserving their incognito, -thanks to the visors of their helmets, they intended -taking part in the struggle, the pugilistic fever -having become general. Constant practice had -familiarised the athletes with the use of their -clubs to such a degree as to enable them to handle -these as their forefathers handled the double-edged -sword in the Middle Ages. The professor from -Padua talked of challenging four men armed with -sabres and swords, and of vanquishing them with the -sole aid of his club. The enthusiasm had turned all -heads. No doubt it is a very extraordinary thing<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_187">187</a></span> -that, in an enlightened age like ours, such an amusement, -with all its inevitable and perhaps fatal consequences, -should have been allowed. It is, moreover, -most probable that the danger involved in the whole -affair added to people’s curiosity. Certain is it, however, -that Pisa was invaded by more than a hundred -thousand strangers—an enormous number for a town -the population of which did not exceed twelve -thousand inhabitants.</p> - -<p>The week preceding the struggle was spent in -warlike exercises, and the eve of the day itself in -pious practices and meditation. All the combatants -scrupulously kept their vigil in prayers like the -knights of old, went to confession, and took the -Sacrament. The bishop publicly blessed the standards, -richly embroidered by the ladies of the foremost -families of the land. In short, everything calculated -to sustain the combatants’ courage was resorted to in -honour of either the patron or patroness whose banner -they defended. Those who had laid wagers on the -event—and their number and the amount of their -bets were considerable—spared neither promises nor -encouragement. During that week, each combatant -was fed like a podesta; but the use of strong liquors -was strictly forbidden: like Richelieu at the siege of -Mahon, the chiefs intimated in the ‘orders for the -day’ that any champion guilty of inebriety should -not have the honour of competing.</p> - -<p>From six in the morning, all the windows overlooking -the Arno at that point were occupied by -elegantly dressed women; these windows had been -let at enormous prices. There were, moreover, stands -on both banks of the river intended for spectators. -The quays were absolutely black with people from -the rural districts. The excursion, in their minds, -was invested with the solemnity of a pilgrimage. -Their varied and picturesque dresses offered a unique -sight. A large stand, richly draped, had been erected -for the queen, the court, the corps diplomatique, and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_188">188</a></span> -foreigners of distinction who had come from all the -Italian Courts.</p> - -<p>Craft of all dimensions, displaying bunting from -prow to stern, and provided with elegant tents, -crowded the river. They had bands on board, and -a glance showed the preparations for cold collations -everywhere. This flotilla alone was a delightful -sight. On both sides of the bridge there were other -craft: they, as it were, constituted the riparian -police, and were charged with keeping both boats and -spectators at a distance. Their second mission consisted -in affording aid to the combatants who from -some cause or other might tumble into the stream. -Such accidents, to judge from a picture at the town -hall, painted more than two centuries before, were -by no means improbable. The canvas represented, -among other phases of the struggle, two knights -clinging tightly to each other, and continuing the -contest, while dropping into the river.</p> - -<p>The living picture that day was scarcely less -curious, with the noise, bustle, and stir of the spectators, -the constant movement on both banks of the -stream, the diversity of Italian dialects, and the -innumerable incidents of that outdoor life which in -this sunny clime seems the most natural.</p> - -<p>At twelve o’clock the combatants donned their -armour; their trainers and chiefs crowd around them -and renew their counsels and instructions. To watch -the excitement of their wives and their womankind -one might have taken them for so many Spartan -matrons handing their bucklers to their sons and -saying: ‘With it or on it.’</p> - -<p>Thus armed, the combatants repair to their respective -encampments; refreshments are served out to -them under tents, and this time the solids are washed -down with wine from the best cellars of the town. -At the bugle-call they emerge from their encampments -and form in line of battle; then, preceded -by their military bands and with banners unfurled,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_189">189</a></span> -they slowly gain the side of the bridge they -have sworn to defend. The banners were attached -outside the parapets. On each side plans of attack -and defence had been prepared, and so carefully -elaborated as to elicit the admiration of a most -competent judge in military matters, namely, the -General of Division Duchesne. He had made the -campaigns of Italy, Holland, and Egypt, and considered -them (the plans) samples of strategical -skill, from the manner in which the forces were -disposed for an engagement in which everything -depended on physical strength.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile the two parties had been pressing -against the barrier for some minutes. Three struck -from the cathedral clock; at the same time the air -rings with the firing of the cannon, the signal so -impatiently waited for. The obstacle dividing the -two contingents is lifted, and the attack commences -with a tenacity of which none but an eyewitness can -conceive an approximate idea. All kinds of cries fall -upon the ear. To the majority of the spectators the -interest of the whole is heightened by the promptings -of greed, of pride, and even of love. Each sign of -success is greeted with deafening applause. The -bravery of the combatants rises into frenzy, and the -hand-to-hand struggle becomes a real battle with its -fury and its alternating incidents.</p> - -<p>While the two troops assail each other with equal -fury, each side flings long ropes with iron crooks -attached to them into their adversaries’ ranks. The -crook catches a leg, a man is down, and he is dragged -away captive. It is simply a modification of the -lasso practised by the Tartars on the Yedissen -steppes: the running knot is thrown around the -necks of the wild horses and they are checked in -their stampede.</p> - -<p>The half-hour after three had struck, and the two -contingents, pressed tightly against each other, seemed -so many athletes who, unable to make their opponents<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_190">190</a></span> -budge, spend their strength in protracted efforts. -Not an inch of ground had been gained; another ten -minutes, and Victory herself, in her indecisive mood, -would have claimed, as in days of old, her share of -the glory.</p> - -<p>The two masses were so tightly wedged against -each other as to make fighting impossible. They -were simply like the waves of two meeting streams. -In order to give further weight to the men, each -leader ordered his band of musicians to advance, which -movement again only equalised the power of resistance. -On the two banks a mournful silence followed -the joyous acclamations of the previous half-hour; the -general deadlock left little or no hope of a decisive -result. At last two champions of the hindmost ranks -of Sainte-Marie hit upon a most audacious movement. -In spite of the weight of their armour, they climb -on to the shoulders of their comrades, and for a -few moments remain erect on the flooring of brass -and steel; in other words, the large helmets so -closely serried as to leave little or no space between -them. Advancing carefully from helmet to helmet, -they reach the first rows of their own contingent. -From the height of that living fortress, as from the -height of a war-chariot, they shower tremendous -blows with their clubs on the heads of their adversaries. -The latter, though protected by the metal -covering their skulls, finally reel and fall down. The -breach is made, a thousand cries of victory from the -side of Sainte-Marie are heard, and its mass advances. -In a short time it has over-stepped its own line of -demarcation, and the banner of St. Anthony is -carried away by the two aerial champions.</p> - -<p>The leader of the opposite forces in vain attempts a -defence similar to the attack. Some St. Anthony -champions also climb on to their fellows’ shoulders. -There is positively a second combat on the heads of -the combatants, without, however, detracting in the -slightest from the fury of the onslaught of those who<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_191">191</a></span> -are on <i xml:lang="la" lang="la">terra firma</i>. It was indeed something marvellous -to see those two stages of warriors dealing -each other blows and using all the combined resources -of strength. The struggle was both violent and -intense; at one moment it seemed that the banner -of St. Anthony was going to be recovered. One of -the champions of Sainte-Marie, the nearest to the -parapet, took his club in both hands, and with a swing -brought it down on the head of the adversary facing -him. The latter reels, loses his balance, and drops -into the Arno. Frenzied clamour from both sides -rends the air. The army of the Holy Virgin redoubles -its efforts and stands like a rock on the -ground it has gained. Joshua was not there to stop -the sun in its course. The third quarter of the hour -has struck, the cannon gives the signal and the -barrier is lowered. The army of the Holy Virgin -remains the victor; the honour of the day belongs -incontestably to it.</p> - -<p>Immediately the victorious quarter rang with joy -and inspiriting blasts of trumpets, while a mournful -silence and a feeling of disgrace fell upon that of the -vanquished. It is a true saying that men derive the -energy of their feelings from the sky under which -they were born. Hence, while the champions of -the Holy Virgin were loaded with caresses, praise, -and gifts, carried in triumph and enthusiastically -welcomed by their families, those of St. Anthony -silently regained their domiciles, where sarcasm and -reproaches awaited them, and where they perhaps -deemed themselves fortunate if, for balm to their -wounds, they did not get additional blows from their -own flesh and blood.</p> - -<p>At night the victorious quarter was agog with -balls, concerts, music, the tooting of horns, the -whole of it only ceasing with morn. On the bank -opposite everything remained pitch dark. The -quarter conveyed the impression of being inhabited -by ghosts.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_192">192</a></span> -Nothing, I fancy, can be compared to that scene. -For more than a century, Europe had not witnessed -a similar spectacle, where everything, arms as well as -wounds, was altogether serious. And he who had -not seen a real battle might have well believed that -he was witnessing one by going back in his imagination -to an epoch when cannon was not as yet the last -argument of kings.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_193">193</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2><a id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X</h2> -</div> - -<blockquote> - -<p>The Prince de Ligne’s Song of the Congress—Life on the Graben—The -Chronicle of the Congress—Echoes of the Congress—A Companion -Story to the Death of Vatel—Brie, the King of Cheese—Fête at -Arnstein the Banker’s—The Fête at Prince Razumowski’s—The -Prince Royal of Würtemberg—Russian Dances—Retrospection.</p></blockquote> - -<p>The smaller ball-room usually reserved for the masked -routs was filled to overflowing. That gathering, like -all those that had preceded it, was the living image -of a society devoted to pleasure, to flirting, and seductive -pastimes of every description.</p> - -<p>‘We have got a new guest, and, moreover, one -who’ll be by no means welcome at the Congress,’ -remarked the Prince de Ligne.</p> - -<p>‘Some deposed sovereign, prince?’ I asked.</p> - -<p>‘No; a guest who means to have his share of all -these rejoicings; not to mince words, the plague. At -this moment it is raging in Servia, and threatens to -make its entrance here in proper person and without -plenipotentiaries. You may, however, make your -mind easy; all precautions are taken, and we shall -want neither conferences nor treaties against the unwelcome -visitor.</p> - -<p>‘Since yesterday,’ he went on, ‘this important -assembly of the greatest monarchs and their august -deliberations have inspired me to write, not a philosophical -treatise or a serious work of any kind, either -political or otherwise, but a song. At any rate, it -will be a song to some, though it may be a lesson to -others. It’s a popular ditty without the least pretension; -I wrote it in a quarter of an hour. We may -add that it was written with one of the pens of the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_194">194</a></span> -great Frederick, the only thing I brought away with -me from Sans-Souci. The quill possesses the further -merit of having traced some plans of battle, and some -verses which were no better than mine.’</p> - -<p>I complimented him, laughing.</p> - -<p>‘Don’t laugh,’ he rejoined. ‘The history of the -Congress is not unlike the history of France, which, as -Ménage averred, might be written with a collection -of light comedies interspersed with song, to guide -the author.’</p> - -<p>Then, after a few moments of silence, ‘I’ll not -admit the paternity of this trifle, except to my friends. -I have not forgotten the Duchesse de Boufflers’ -reward of the cocksure vanity of the Comte de -Tressan.<a id="FNanchor_77" href="#Footnote_77" class="fnanchor">77</a> I have nothing to oppose to the thousands -of bayonets of the occupants of thrones but so many -words marshalled in line. The struggle would not -be equal.’</p> - -<p>‘But to whom, prince, if not to you, should belong -the privilege of telling the truth?’</p> - -<p>‘You mean in virtue of my age?’</p> - -<p>I quickly changed the subject. This excellent -prince always came back to his regrets at being -more or less put into the shade by men who -had only recently made good their names, and his -comments on current events, though devoid of all -bitterness, were stamped with a kind of sadness. I -began talking to him about his military writings, -which he liked best of all, and to which he attached -the greatest importance. Posterity has judged -differently. It has allotted the foremost place to his -clever witticisms, to his remarks on the society, the -manners and customs, and the artistic questions of his -time, in the writing of which his imagination found -full play. The soldier is almost entirely forgotten,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_195">195</a></span> -but the sprightly and pungent literary man, the impartial -and quick observer, is admired as much as ever.</p> - -<p>‘I have left my works to my company of Trabans. -They are the reflections of an old soldier whose experience -has been deemed superfluous. At any rate, -people will profit by it after my death.’</p> - -<p>It was evident that the prince was in one of the -fretful moods that now and again assailed him as a -set-off to his youthful gaiety. His features became -clouded, he took my arm; we had a short stroll round -the rooms, then went out and walked silently to his -little house on the rampart.</p> - -<p>Next morning when I called I found him, contrary -to his custom, out of bed and seated in his library, -which was at the same time his bed- and reception-room, -and which, smiling, he had named the last bar -of his perch.</p> - -<p>‘You have come for the song. Just listen to it.’ -And in a by no means feeble voice he began to sing -the trifle which was soon taken up by all classes of -society, including the sovereigns themselves.<a id="FNanchor_78" href="#Footnote_78" class="fnanchor">78</a></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_196">196</a></span> -‘Take this copy with you,’ said the prince; ‘my -heirs will be none the worse for this liberality on my -part. It is different with regard to these two manuscripts -which I am just touching up. One deals with -considerations on the disastrous Austrian campaigns -during the first years of the French Revolution; the -other treats of the campaigns in Italy up to Marengo. -Both are not without interest. But,’ interrupting -himself, ‘while I am making songs on the Congress, -what becomes of it? Have you got any news?’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_197">197</a></span> -‘None, prince, not a syllable of what transpires -leaks out. To tell the truth, people do not appear to -concern themselves much with regard to it. There -is, however, a great deal of talk about a ball Emperor -Alexander proposes to give to the sovereigns at Prince -Razumowski’s mansion on St. Catherine’s night, the -fête-day of the Grand-Duchess of Oldenburg.’</p> - -<p>‘That’s right, those poor kings ought to have a -holiday. I am not certain, though, that at the end -of all these entertainments any of the monarchs will -be able to say to himself what my dear Joseph <span class="smcap smaller">II.</span> -said. When he had worked the whole of the day -at the reforms which, while immortalising his name, -contributed to the happiness of the empire, he said, -lightly tapping his cheek, “And now, go to bed, -Joseph, I am pleased with your day’s work.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_198">198</a></span> -‘Amidst this cross-fire of different pretensions, have -you heard anything of a claim of another kind? -Trifling though it may be, it is calculated to provide -some occupation for the archons of the Congress. -It is a note presented by Louis Buon-Compagni, -Prince of Lucca and Piombino, claiming sovereign -rights over the island of Elba. He considers the -investment of Napoleon with that sovereignty out of -order and out of place. His claim is supported by a -document, in which Emperor Ferdinand acknowledges -to have received from one of his ancestors, Nicolas -Ludovisi, Duc de Venosa, more than a million of -florins for the investiture of Elba and Piombino, -granted to him and his descendants. Here’s a pretty -business—the man who ruled the world threatened -with ejectment by another Robinson Crusoe! If -Louis [Ludovico] Buon-Compagni would come down -to the rôle of Friday, matters might be arranged. -But he wants his island, and wants it all to himself. -Trifling as the incident may appear, it would lend -itself to a very curious chapter. It would be the -height of absurdity to see the man who distributed -crowns without a stone on which to put his heroic -head in an unknown island.’</p> - -<p>Coming back to his favourite topic, the prince -referred once more to warlike matters, and in a -manner as enthusiastic as if he were twenty. At -such moments his tall and beautiful figure drew itself -up to its full height, his features became animated, -his eyes positively brilliant. ‘Don’t imagine, my -dear boy, that during two days I have done nothing -but concoct rhymes or epigrams on the Congress. -You see these two volumes; well, I have spent the -night in reading them.’</p> - -<p>He pointed to a military work entitled <cite>Principes -de Stratégie appliqués aux Campagnes de 1796 en -Allemagne</cite>. Its author, Arch-Duke Charles, had sent -them to him.</p> - -<p>‘In this book, full of curious details and profound<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_199">199</a></span> -views,’ he said, ‘there is only one mistake as far as I -can judge. The author is too severe upon himself. -There is not the faintest doubt about the transcendent -military worth of Prince Charles, but it is marked -by so much modesty and such simplicity of manner -as to seem scarcely reconcilable with his reputation. -He is not only the greatest captain of Austria, but -more than once he has proved himself a counter-balance -to the genius of your Napoleon. In his -valour, in his faculty of inspiring both respect and -obedience in his soldiers, he is like Frederick; in his -virtues, his strict integrity, and his unalterable love -of duty, he is the living image of the Prince Charles -of Lorraine. The frankness of his soul is reflected -in his face. Some time ago I attempted to draw his -portrait in verse. I sent it to him anonymously, -knowing as I did that direct praise was apt to displease -him. In some way, I do not know how, he -guessed the authorship. No doubt my feelings got -the better of my style, and I presume that the books -he sent me are intended as a reply. I have just -finished reading them. I feel certain of their becoming -classical, for admiration instinctively follows a -public man admitted, as he is, to be possessed of a -grand and noble character.’</p> - -<p>Then he drifted to the famous captains of his time -and to their notable exploits; and gradually I felt -his enthusiasm gaining upon me. His own genius -was discernible in his looks, and electrified me. The -conversation of such men as he is more apt to -enlighten one and to speak louder than their books. -Inasmuch as I had made up my mind religiously to -garner every literary scrap from the pen of this -encyclopedic man, I asked him to give me his verses -on Prince Charles, and I added them to my precious -collection.</p> - -<p>‘We’ll meet at Razumowski’s,’ he said, ‘seeing -that, guided by pleasure only, we are evidently -advancing towards the great result of this sapient<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_200">200</a></span> -assembly amidst balls, fêtes, <i>carrousels</i>, and games. -No doubt the day will come when we shall be allowed -to know the fate of Europe. Manifestly, though, -experience does not appear to convey any valuable -lesson either to men’s passions or to their ambition; -and our era seems to have quickly forgotten a very -recent past.</p> - -<p>‘I must leave you, to preside at a chapter of the -Order of Maria-Theresa;<a id="FNanchor_79" href="#Footnote_79" class="fnanchor">79</a> the Commandeur-Général, -Ouwaroff, is to be invested to-day. From there I -am going to dine with your great diplomatist.’</p> - -<p>Since the cold weather had set in, making the -Prater somewhat too chilly for idlers and loungers -on foot, the latter foregathered on the Graben. The -newspaper writers thronged the public resort, and, in -default of genuine particulars of the Congress, retailed -their so-called political information and Court stories, -as devoid of probability, not to say of truth, as the -rest. Outdoor life had assumed such proportions -that one might have safely said to one’s friends in -the evening, ‘I looked for you on the Graben to-day. -I failed to find you, so I left my card.’ The Graben -was to the majority of strangers what the Square of -St. Mark is to the Venetians. They spent the greater -part of their time there. It was a kind of open-air -club; everybody received and returned calls there; -the life of the capital was practically regulated on -that spot; folk appointed to meet there to discuss -their future movements, and to organise pleasure -parties for the evening. Hence, it would be no -exaggeration to say that people lived in common on -the Graben, amidst an immense group of ‘loafers,’ -idlers, ‘spouters,’ and disputants.</p> - -<p>There was another kind of store-house for news, -epigrams, witty sallies, and satirical observation; a<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_201">201</a></span> -kind of ‘lion’s mouth’ <i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">à la Vénitienne</i>, less the secret -denunciations. Or rather, the place was like the -Marforio in Rome, I mean the statue at the foot of -which there was a constant flow of criticism both on -the governors and on the governed. The second -spot was the big room of the ‘Empress of Austria’ -tavern, which I have already mentioned. Every day, -at the dinner-hour, the place was thronged with -illustrious and important personages, anxious to -escape from the magnificent but somewhat solemn -banquets of the Austrian Court. At a ‘round table’ -the occupants vied with each other in challenges—not -like those of the ancient knights of King Arthur, -but in wit-combats, sarcastic lunges, and epigrams, -all of them tempered by the perfect tone of Courts -and of the best society.</p> - -<p>The constant variety of its patrons invested this -improvised club with the greatest interest. Among -the <i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">habitués</i> were the Chevalier de Los Rios, Ypsilanti, -Tettenborn, MM. Achille Rouen, Koreff, Danilewski, -the Prince Koslowski, Gentz, the secretary of the -Congress, the Comte de Witt, Carpani, the poet, ever -so many generals, ambassadors, and very often some -royal highnesses. Narischkine, the great-chamberlain, -came now and again, treating the company to his -biting and dreaded sallies. In short, there was a -never-failing muster of all that Vienna held within -its walls in the way of political, artistic, and social -celebrities.</p> - -<p>The stories told there could have rightly been -called the ‘Chronicle of the Congress,’ and even the -‘Chronicles of Europe’; everybody of note, or of -erewhile renown, being apparently responsible for -his doings and sayings to the jurisdiction of the -caustic Areopagus of that tavern.</p> - -<p>Although the fare was in keeping with the company -and the conversation, prices were comparatively -modest. In spite of the number of strangers in -Vienna at that moment, in spite of their rank and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_202">202</a></span> -their wealth, the cost of most things, except of -lodgings, was moderate. The Dutch ducat was -worth twelve florins in paper, which fact, doubling -its value in money, increased the resources of a -stranger in that ratio. The whole may be judged -from the fact that meals, profusely served and supplemented -with several kinds of wine, were supplied at -the rate of five florins per head.</p> - -<p>Griffiths and I took our seats at one of the tables. -They were talking about the preparations for the fête -next day at Razumowski’s, and of the honour the -emperor had bestowed upon him by creating him a -prince.</p> - -<p>‘He deserved the distinction,’ said Koslowski. -‘The new prince, since he has been our ambassador -at Vienna, has made many valuable friends. In the -recent discussions on Poland, he was instrumental in -restoring harmony, and in putting an end to the -little pecking which threatened to become serious.’</p> - -<p>‘Added to this,’ remarked the representative of a -German princelet, ‘there is a prerogative attached -to his new title. Henceforth, when going out at -night he can have torch-bearers running in front -of him.’</p> - -<p>The new prince having become the momentary -target for the remarks of everybody, there were, of -course, many references to his enormous fortune, -which, when all was said and done, was only a -fraction of the wealth of his father, the marshal, who, -greatly favoured by Empress Elizabeth, became the -wealthiest private individual of Europe.<a id="FNanchor_80" href="#Footnote_80" class="fnanchor">80</a> He and -Frederick had a curious little scene one day. When -the marshal was in Berlin the king held in his honour -a review of the troops who had gone through a -score of campaigns. In Russia all the dignities and -functions are assimilated to corresponding military -grades, from the lowest to the topmost rung of the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_203">203</a></span> -ladder; nevertheless, the marshal had never seen a -battlefield.</p> - -<p>‘I trust you are pleased, marshal,’ said the King -of Prussia at the termination of the manœuvres.</p> - -<p>‘Much pleased indeed, sire, although the whole of -it is altogether beyond my competence; I am only -a civil marshal.’</p> - -<p>‘You are indeed very civil, marshal; unfortunately -we have no such grades in our army,’ replied -Frederick.</p> - -<p>Political gossip formed the main item of our conversation -that evening. ‘The intervention of Razumowski,’ -remarked one of a group, ‘and his conciliatory -efforts throughout have by no means been -rewarded too highly. The quarrel was getting -envenomed, I have been told. One of the most -eminent of European plenipotentiaries expressed -himself in the course of the discussion with great -firmness upon Alexander’s pretensions to the throne -of Poland. The Grand-Duke Constantine got angry, -and showed his anger by a somewhat too energetic -gesture, after which he left in hot haste. According -to well-informed people, the diplomatist is meditating -a piece of revenge. Considering that he is a man -of wit, we may expect something odd.’</p> - -<p>‘No,’ replied another, ‘that’s not the cause of the -grand-duke’s abrupt departure. The minister in -question wrote to Prince Hardenberg some sentences -calculated to displease the Russian monarch. By a -strange fatality the document fell into the hands -of Alexander, and this led to very lively explanations. -Lord Castlereagh sided with Austria. Matters -reached such a point that one of the monarchs, forgetting -his usual reserve, flung his glove on the -table.</p> - -<p>‘“Would your majesty wish for war?” asked the -English plenipotentiary.</p> - -<p>‘“Perhaps, monsieur.”</p> - -<p>‘“I was not aware,” Castlereagh replied, “that<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_204">204</a></span> -any war was to be undertaken without English -guineas.” And appeasement,’ added the speaker, -‘has not progressed an inch, in spite of the kindly -efforts of our new prince.’<a id="FNanchor_81" href="#Footnote_81" class="fnanchor">81</a></p> - -<p>‘Will the King of Saxony be reinstated in his -kingdom in spite of Prussia, which covets it? King -Friedrich-Wilhelm is very angry with M. de Talleyrand,’ -said a third interlocutor. ‘The king lately -remonstrated with M. de Talleyrand for too warmly -espousing the cause of the Saxon monarch, that sole -traitor, as he put it, to the cause of Europe.</p> - -<p>‘“Traitor!” echoed Talleyrand. “And from what -date, sire?” Honestly, Frederick-Augustus ought -to be forgiven everything, if there be anything to -forgive, if for no other reason than the justice of the -repartee.’</p> - -<p>‘That excellent prince has done much better than -that,’ replied an interlocutor. ‘Lest some untoward -event should happen, he has taken care to make a -little purse for himself, from which he has detached -a few millions for the benefit of two personages disposing -of a great deal of influence in Vienna. This -golden key will open the doors of his kingdom much -more quickly than all the protocols of the Congress.’</p> - -<p>All at once, and without the least transition, the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_205">205</a></span> -talk turned on Lord Stewart and on some mishaps -due to his overweening conceit. ‘For the last four -days,’ said some one, ‘his lordship has not been seen -on foot or in his magnificent carriage. According to -rumour, his face has been more or less damaged. He -had a quarrel on the Danube bridge with a couple of -hackney drivers, and immediately jumping off his -seat, his excellency, waving his arms like the sails -of a windmill, challenged his adversaries to an -English boxing match. The Vienna coachman, however, -knows nothing, either theoretically or practically -of “fisticuffs,” and consequently our two Automédons’ -[the French equivalent for our ‘Jehu,’ and an allusion -to Achilles’ charioteer] ‘bravely grasped their whips, -and first with the thongs and afterwards with the -handles, belaboured his lordship with blows, without -the least respect for his “pretty” face. They left -him lying on the ground, bruised all over, and disappeared -as quickly as their horses would take them.</p> - -<p>‘Milord has bad luck, but his conceit seems incorrigible. -Lately, on leaving the theatre, he -happened to be behind the daughter of the Comtesse -Co—— on the grand staircase. There was a great -crush, and, taking advantage of it, his lordship was -guilty of an act of impudent familiarity, which he -might have found to his cost could only be washed -out with blood. Without being in the least disconcerted, -the young, handsome, and innocent girl -quietly turned round and gave him a sound box on -the ears, as a warning to leave innocence and beauty -alone. Naturally, his lordship has been the laughing-stock -of everybody, as he often is, for nothing waits -so surely upon conceit and fatuous vanity as derision.’</p> - -<p>‘Have the Genoese envoys obtained an audience -at last?’ asked some one, ‘Or have they been -driven away from all the diplomatic doors at which -they knocked for a hearing.’</p> - -<p>‘They ought to be well pleased,’ was the answer. -‘Weaned with their applications, M. de Metternich<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_206">206</a></span> -has given them the desired interview and overwhelmed -them with his politeness. They wish to -constitute themselves into an independent State. -The minister listened to every word they said, and -when they left off speaking, told them that Genoa -would be incorporated with Piedmont. Our Genoese -objected violently. M. de Metternich told them that -the affair was settled, irrevocably settled, and bowed -them out even more politely than he “bowed them -in.” He might have saved them their breath.’</p> - -<p>‘The Duchesse de ——, not to be behindhand -with the Princesse de ——, who has made her lover -an ambassador, has made hers a general, though he -has never seen a battle. It’s of no consequence, -seeing that the Congress, in virtue of its wisdom, is -to put an end to all war both in the immediate and -distant future.’</p> - -<p>‘Love turns other heads besides these,’ chimed in -the first speaker. ‘A great personage happened to -see a Viennese work-girl somewhere on the ramparts, -and has fallen a victim to her rosy face and elegant -figure. There’s no doubt about it; he is thoroughly -in love; he lavishes presents on his very easy conquest, -and altogether forgetting his rôle of sovereign, he has -thrown all reserve to the winds, and given her his -portrait set with diamonds. In days gone by the -Court ladies would have objected to such a <i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">mésalliance</i>.’</p> - -<p>Some one threw in a word about the balls given by -Lady Castlereagh, and this led to remarks on his lordship’s -pronounced love for dancing. ‘The taste is -easily explained, it belongs to all times and all ages,’ -was the comment. ‘Aspasia taught Socrates to dance; -and when he was fifty-six years old Cato the Censor -danced even more often than his lordship. It is -doubtful whether either of these made himself as -ridiculous as that lank body of his lordship dancing -a jig, and lifting his long spindle-shanks, keeping -time to the music. It is indeed a diverting spectacle. -What a windfall this would be to those clever English<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_207">207</a></span> -caricaturists, if one could only get them to come to -Vienna! At any rate, the dancing master of his -lordship, in case of his becoming prime minister, will -have no occasion to repeat what the dancing master -of the [Earl?] of Oxford said on learning that -Elizabeth had made his pupil her great-chancellor: -“Truly, I fail to see what merit the queen could find -in this Barclay? I had him in hand for two years, -and was unable to make anything of him.”’</p> - -<p>‘In spite of the express declaration of the sovereigns, -who have settled among themselves the -questions of rank and precedence in accordance with -their age, disagreements on the subject crop up every -day,’ said somebody who had hitherto been silent. -‘The bickering between the minister of Würtemberg -and the Hanoverian minister is without importance; -nothing has come of it save the retirement of the -Würtemberger and the appointment of the Comte -de Wintzingerode in his stead. But the quarrel between -the Princesse de Lichtenstein and the Princesse -Esterhazy is not so trivial. The one claims precedence -over the other in virtue of her husband being -the most ancient prince of the empire.’</p> - -<p>‘It would be easy enough to settle that matter,’ -was the reply from the other side of the table. ‘Let -them apply to those ladies the rule adopted by the -sovereigns; in other words, let age rule precedence, -and you may be sure that neither of them will want -to go first.’</p> - -<p>‘Here is a strange pendant to the adventure of -the too conscientious Vatel, whose disappointment and -death have been immortalised by Mme. de Sévigné. -The <em>chef</em> at Chantilly killed himself because the fish -for the dinner failed him; the Baron de —— killed -himself through having eaten too much fish.’</p> - -<p>‘What’s the good of joking about such a sad -event?’</p> - -<p>‘I am not joking, I am telling you the unvarnished -truth. The poor deceased was a slave to etiquette,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_208">208</a></span> -and having partaken too freely of some delicious fish, -he felt thoroughly uncomfortable in consequence. He -was invited to make a fourth at a rubber of whist -with the Grand-Duke of Baden, a Princesse de C——, -and his Majesty of Bavaria; and in spite of his bodily -and moral agony, he dared not refuse. But the ordeal -proved too much, and when concealment of the situation -was no longer possible he rushed away, went -home, and shot himself. Everybody regrets his death, -because he was a general favorite.’<a id="FNanchor_82" href="#Footnote_82" class="fnanchor">82</a></p> - -<p>‘Your great diplomatist, this time in thorough -agreement with the majority of the plenipotentiaries, -made another king yesterday,’ said an opposite neighbour, -addressing me directly.</p> - -<p>‘Is it Prince Eugène?’ I exclaimed spontaneously.</p> - -<p>‘Not exactly; it’s the cheese called “Brie.”’</p> - -<p>‘You are trying to mystify me.’</p> - -<p>‘I should not presume to do so on so slight an -acquaintance, but I can assure you that it is a fact. M. -de Talleyrand gave a dinner party, and at the dessert, -all the political questions were pretty well exhausted. -When the cheese was on the table, the conversation -drifted in the direction of that dainty. Lord -Castlereagh was loud in praise of Stilton; Aldini -was equally loud in praise of the Strachino of Milan; -Zeltner naturally gave battle for his native Gruyère, -and Baron de Falck, the Dutch minister, could not -say enough for the product of Limburg, of which -Peter the Great was so fond as to dole himself a -certain quantity measured with his compasses, lest -he should take too much. Talleyrand’s guests were -as undecided as they are on the question of the -throne of Naples, which, according to some, will be -taken from Murat, while, according to others, he’ll be -allowed to keep it. At that moment a servant -entered the room to inform the ambassador of the -arrival of a courier from France. “What has he<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_209">209</a></span> -brought?” asked Talleyrand. “Despatches from the -Court, your excellency, and Brie cheeses.” “Send -the despatches to the chancellerie, and bring in the -cheeses at once.”</p> - -<p>‘The cheese was brought in. “Gentlemen,” said -M. de Talleyrand, “I abstained just now from breaking -a lance in favour of a product of the French -soil, but I leave you to judge for yourselves.” The -cheese is handed round, tasted, and the question of -its superiority is put to the vote, with the result -I have told you: Brie is proclaimed to be the king of -cheeses.’</p> - -<p>The clever little story was the last, and the company -dispersed. Griffiths and I were due at the -Baron Arnstein’s, who gave a fête in his magnificent -mansion on the Melgrub.</p> - -<p>At that period, the principal Austrian bankers -would not be behindhand with the Court in their -hospitality to the illustrious strangers at the Congress. -Of course, the enormous influx of these brought into -the bankers’ hands large sums of money, a considerable -percentage of which remained with them. -Among those princely houses of finance there were, -besides Baron Arnstein, the Gey-Mullers, the -Eskeleses, and the Comte de Fries. They practically -kept open house to strangers. The splendour -of their hospitality was only equalled by its cordiality. -The mansion of the Comte de Fries, on -the Joseph-Platz, was one of the most beautiful in -Vienna, and in no way inferior to the most magnificent -palaces. Its owner himself was as famed for -his personal elegance and his charming manners as -for his immense wealth. The fêtes that were given -in those mansions were remarkable even among those -of the Congress; and on the evening in question, the -scene at Baron Arnstein’s was positively fairy-like. -The rarest flowers from every clime hung in profusion -about the staircases and the rooms, including the -ball-room, and spread their exquisite perfumes, while<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_210">210</a></span> -their tints mingled harmoniously with the thousands -of wax candles in crystal sconces, and the silk and -gold of the hangings. The music of a band such as -at that time only Vienna could produce fell gratefully -upon the ear. In short, the whole presented -one of those incomparable results only to be obtained -by great wealth seconded by taste.</p> - -<p>The best society of Vienna had forgathered there: -all the influential personages of the Congress, all the -strangers of distinction, all the heads of the princely -houses made a point of being present; only the -sovereigns themselves were absent. As a matter of -course, all the charming women of which Vienna -boasted at that period had responded to the invitation, -and among these aristocratic beauties the -hostess herself, the Baronne Fanny d’Arnstein, and -Mme. Gey-Muller, whom people had named ‘la fille -de l’air,’ on account of her ethereal face and tall, slight -figure, carried off the palm for attractiveness.</p> - -<p>The entertainment began with a concert by the -foremost artists of Vienna; the concert was followed -by a ball, and the ball by a supper, in the providing -for which the host seemed to have made it a point to -defy both distance and season. He had positively -brought together the products of every country and -of every climate. The supper rooms were decorated -with trees bearing ripe fruit, and it was really a curious -experience, in the middle of the winter, to watch -people pluck cherries, peaches, and apricots as in an -orchard in Provence. It was the first attempt of the -kind that had ever been made, and we went home, -less astonished perhaps at the ingenuity displayed -than at the constant craving for the entirely unprecedented -in the way of enjoyment.</p> - -<p>The palace of Prince Razumowski was blazing -with light; every room was crowded with guests. -Emperor Alexander had borrowed his ambassador’s -residence for a fête offered to the sovereigns in honour -of his sister’s birthday. The utmost interest was<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_211">211</a></span> -always evinced in the charming Catherine of Oldenburg, -and perhaps the more because the Prince Royal -of Würtemberg was constantly by her side. At every -gathering, these two young people, rarely far apart, -reminded one of the couple figuring so conspicuously -in the opening pages of Mme. de Genlis’s novel -<cite>Mademoiselle de Clermont</cite>.</p> - -<div id="ip_211" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 30.4375em;"> - <img src="images/i_210.jpg" width="487" height="600" alt="" /> - <div class="caption"><span class="smcap">Marie Dowager Empress of Russia.</span></div></div> - -<p>Love unquestionably owed a good turn to this sweet, -pretty, and graceful young woman, to indemnify -her for the very unpleasant episodes of her first -marriage. In 1809, there had been a question of an -alliance between France and Russia, an alliance -which would have consolidated peace in Europe. The -young sister of the Czar was to be the pledge of that -alliance. Napoleon, who at that period was justified -in looking upon Alexander as a friend, caused diplomatic -overtures to be made. The Russian monarch -freely gave his consent,<a id="FNanchor_83" href="#Footnote_83" class="fnanchor">83</a> but all at once a hitherto unthought-of -obstacle arose, in the shape of the invincible -repugnance of the dowager-empress to Napoleon, -a repugnance that ought to have been removed by -Napoleon’s magnanimous conduct to her son. When -Alexander wished to sound his mother on that -marriage by evincing a kind of partiality for it, she -replied that it was henceforth out of the question, that -two days previously she had given her word to the -Grand-Duke of Oldenburg, to whom Catherine’s hand -was promised. Alexander was a most respectful and -submissive son. He offered no objections; negotiations -were broken off; the marriage of Napoleon with<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_212">212</a></span> -an Austrian arch-duchess was concluded, and there -was a prospective sovereign for the island of Elba.</p> - -<p>Sacrificed to a feeling of political repugnance, -Catherine became Grand-Duchess of Oldenburg and -established her Court at Tiver, a pretty town between -Moscow and St. Petersburg—a small Court, recalling -those of Ferrara and Florence during the most brilliant -days of their artistic glory. Art, however, -does not invariably contribute to a woman’s happiness. -United to a man whom she could not love, -the grand-duchess fretted under her lot. At first -people sympathised with her, finally they took no -heed of, or became used to, her grief. Then, as if -to realise sweeter dreams, came on the one hand the -death of her husband, and on the other the love of a -prince, young, handsome, brave, and amiable—a prince -placed on the steps of a throne.</p> - -<p>By a strange coincidence, the Prince Royal of -Würtemberg had been similarly compelled to contract -a marriage against his inclination. Napoleon’s will, -all-powerful at that time over the king’s mind, united -the son, in spite of himself, to a Bavarian princess, -a political alliance intended to make an end of all -dissensions between the two states. From the first day -of their union an unconquerable estrangement and a -constant coolness had sprung up between the young -couple, and consequently, at the fall of Napoleon, they -were divorced. The Princess Charlotte of Bavaria -returned to her father’s Court. Unappreciated by a -husband whose affection she had been unable to gain, -she never uttered a word of reproach; her angelic -temper and her unalterable kindness never failed her. -Later on, the imperial crown of Austria was offered to -her,<a id="FNanchor_84" href="#Footnote_84" class="fnanchor">84</a> and eventually she shared one of the most powerful -thrones of Europe. When her first husband learnt -the news of the unexpected elevation of the woman -he had neglected, but whose noble heart he had never -misjudged, he exclaimed, ‘I’ll have, at any rate, one -more friend at the Court of Vienna.’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_213">213</a></span> -Catherine of Russia and Wilhelm of Würtemberg -both became free. From that moment a mutual and -strong affection took possession of their hearts, which, -constrained so long by the will of others, had -learnt to appreciate the delights of natural attraction. -How often in the shady glades of the Prater, or on -the banks of the majestic stream flowing at its foot, -have I seen them, emancipated for a little while from -the etiquette of Courts, and yielding like ordinary -mortals to the feeling that animated them. Far -from the pomp and splendour of their ordinary surroundings, -they perhaps confidentially made plans -for the future, in the hope of a union which bade -fair to be happy—the prince, young, manly, with a -noble disposition and reputed for his brilliant courage; -the grand-duchess conspicuous for her intellectual -and physical grace. Now and again a third came to -interrupt this ‘dual solitude’; but his presence evidently -made no difference; for the third comer was not -only a brother, but a friend—no less a personage than -Alexander himself, who appeared to be supping full -with glory and happiness.</p> - -<p>The fête given by the czar in honour of his charming -sister was worthy in every respect of his brotherly -affection and of its object. All the sovereigns, all -the illustrious guests of the Congress, had repaired to -it, and with him had come all the Russians of distinction: -Nesselrode, Gagarine, Dolgorouki, Galitzin, -Capo d’Istria, Narischkine, Souvaroff, Troubetzkoy, -the two Volkonskis, Princesses Souvaroff, Bagration, -Gagarine, and many others equally remarkable for -their birth, wealth, beauty, and their distinguished -manners. Practically, I found myself among all those -magnificent Muscovite beings who had compelled -my admiration at Moscow, St. Petersburg, and at -Tulczim, at the Comtesse Potocka’s, where the year -seemed to be made up of three hundred and sixty-five -fêtes.</p> - -<p>The rooms at Prince Razumowski’s were lighted<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_214">214</a></span> -with a profusion that reminded one of the resplendent -rays of the sun. A vast riding-school had been converted -into a ball-room; and to impart variety to the -entertainment, the <i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">corps de ballet</i> of the Imperial -Theatre had organised a Muscovite <i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">divertissement</i>, the -minutest details of which were carried out with scrupulous -exactness. Towards the middle of the ball, they -made their appearance dressed as gipsies, and performed -dances with which those supposed descendants -of the Pharaohs enhance the fêtes of the rich and -sensuous boyards. These dances, in virtue of their -graceful movements and the picturesqueness of the -postures, are, according to that great traveller Griffiths, -much superior to those of the bayadères of India.</p> - -<p>The ball was opened by the inevitable and methodical -polonaise. The fête was, however, marked in -particular by a Russian dance, by one of the Court -ladies of Empress Elizabeth and General Comte Orloff, -one of the aides-de-camp of Emperor Alexander.<a id="FNanchor_85" href="#Footnote_85" class="fnanchor">85</a> -Both wore the Russian dress, the comte that of a -young Muscovite, namely, a close-fitting caftan, -tied round the waist by a cashmere scarf, a broad-brimmed -hat, and gloves like those of the ancient -knights; his partner was dressed like the women of -Southern Russia, whose costumes vie in richness with -those of all other nations. On her head, the hair -arranged in flat bands in front and falling in long -plaits behind, she wore a tiara of pearls and precious -stones. The ornament harmonised perfectly with the -rest of the costume, composed, as usual, of exceedingly -bright-coloured material.</p> - -<p>This Russian dance is absolutely delightful, representing -as it does the pantomimic action of a somewhat -impassioned courtship. It is like the Galatea<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_215">215</a></span> -of Virgil. The performers acquitted themselves in the -most delightful manner, and were amply rewarded -by the enthusiastic applause of the spectators.</p> - -<p>The Russian dance was followed by mazurkas, a -kind of quadrille, originally hailing from Massow. -Among ball-room dances none demand greater agility -and none lend themselves to more statuesque movements. -In order that nothing might be wanting to -the magnificence of this fête, there was, in accordance -with the latest fashion in Vienna, a lottery. The -prizes were many and handsome to a degree. An -apparently trivial circumstance lent an unexpected -interest to the proceedings. Custom had decreed that -each cavalier, if favoured by luck, should offer his -prize to a lady. A rich sable cape fell to the lot of -the Prince of Würtemberg: he immediately offered it -to her in whose honour the entertainment was given. -Verily, he had his reward. Handsome Grand-Duchess -Catherine wore in her bosom a posy of -flowers, fastened by a ribbon. She unfastened it, -and presented it to the donor of the cape. The -whole scene, which practically emphasised in public -the existence of a quasi-secret attachment, elicited -murmurs of approval and wishes for the young -people’s happiness. ‘Hail to the future Queen of -Würtemberg,’ remarked Prince Koslowski to me; -‘queen when it shall please the crowned Nimrod to -vacate the place. In reality, no crown will have -ever graced a more beautiful brow.’ The episode, -and the conjectures to which it gave rise, added -another charm to this fête marked by so many.</p> - -<p>The dancing had ceased, and the prince and I -strolled through the vast rooms of the palace, which -might easily have been mistaken for a temple erected -to art, so numerous were the masterpieces collected -there by its owner. Here pictures by the greatest -painters of every school: Raphaels by the side of -Rubenses, Van Dycks in juxtaposition to Correggios; -there, a library filled to overflowing with most precious<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_216">216</a></span> -books and rare manuscripts; in a third spot -a cabinet containing most exquisite specimens of -ancient art and modern carving. The majority of -the guests, however, seemed to prefer a gallery set -apart for the marvels of the sculptor’s chisel, among -which was some of the best handiwork of Canova. -The gallery was lighted by alabaster lamps, the soft -glow of which seemed to throw into relief the perfection -of those statues apparently endowed with life.</p> - -<p>About two in the morning they threw open the -huge supper-room, lighted by thousands of wax -candles. It contained fifty tables, and by that alone -the number of guests might be estimated. Amidst -banks of flowers was displayed all that Italy, Germany, -France, and Russia had to offer in the way of -rare fruit and other edibles: such as sturgeon from the -Volga, oysters from Ostend and Cancale, truffles from -Périgord, oranges from Sicily. Worthy of note was a -pyramid of pine-apples, such as had never before been -served on any board, and which had come direct from -the imperial hothouses at Moscow for the czar’s -guests. There were strawberries all the way from -England, grapes from France, looking as if they had -just been cut from the trailing vine. Still more remarkable, -on each of the fifty tables there stood a -dish of cherries, despatched from St. Petersburg, notwithstanding -the December cold, but at the cost of a -silver rouble apiece. Regarding these events many -years after their occurrence, I am often tempted to -mistrust to a certain extent my recollections of all -this lavish display.</p> - -<p>This fête, which really deserved precedence among -all the daily pomp and splendour of the Congress, -was prolonged till dawn, when a breakfast was served -and dancing was resumed. Only the need of rest -made us regretfully bend our steps homeward and -leave that magnificent palace where so many fair -women and brave men had forgathered in the pursuit -of pleasure.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_217">217</a></span> -Many years have gone by since that memorable -night. The charming woman in whose honour the -fête was given became the Queen of Würtemberg. -Death claimed her prematurely as his victim. The -Prince Koslowski, who had been, like myself, an eye-witness -of that charming love-episode at Vienna, and -who was subsequently despatched as ambassador to -her Court, saw her die of the same disease that carried -away her brother, the emperor. And only a short -time ago the son of Marie-Louise and the Comte de -Neipperg<a id="FNanchor_86" href="#Footnote_86" class="fnanchor">86</a> married the daughter of this Catherine of -Russia who had been asked in marriage by Napoleon. -How very truly Shakespeare exclaims: ‘There are -more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are -dreamt of in your philosophy.’</p> - -<p>As for me, when my thoughts go back to that -period of happiness and freedom from care called -the Congress of Vienna, I always picture to myself -sweet Catherine, not amidst all those fêtes, but -strolling in the dusky glades of the Prater, where I -so often saw her, proud of her love for the Prince -Royal of Würtemberg and of her tender affection for -her brother.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_218">218</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2><a id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI</h2> -</div> - -<blockquote> - -<p>The Last Love-Tryst of the Prince de Ligne—A Glance at the Past—Z——or -the Consequences of Gaming—Gambling in Poland and in -Russia—The Biter Bit—Masked Ball—The Prince de Ligne and a -Domino—More Living Pictures—The Pasha of Surêne—Two -Masked Ladies—Recollections of the Prince de Talleyrand.</p></blockquote> - -<p>I had spent the evening at the theatre of the -Carinthian Gate, and was returning home by way of -the ramparts, confident of meeting no one whom I -knew; for on that night, in spite of the many -strangers in Vienna and the multitude of fêtes, everything -was unusually quiet long before midnight. It -was magnificent weather for the time of the year. -In the recess of a bastion jutting over the dry -moat, I noticed a lank figure wrapped in a white cloak, -which might easily have passed for that of Hamlet. -Impelled by curiosity, I drew nearer, and to my utter -astonishment recognised the Prince de Ligne.</p> - -<p>‘What in Heaven’s name are you doing here, -prince, at this hour of the night and in the biting -cold?’</p> - -<p>‘In love affairs the beginning only is delightful; -consequently, I always find great delight in recommencing. -At your age, though, it was I who kept -them waiting; at mine they keep me waiting; and, -what’s worse, they don’t come.</p> - -<p>‘I am keeping an appointment, but as you can -see for yourself, I am keeping it alone. Well, people -forgive hunchbacks the exuberance of their dorsal excrescence; -why, at my age, should not people forgive -my exuberance?’</p> - -<p>‘If it be true that woman’s happiness consists in<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_219">219</a></span> -the reflection of a man’s glory, where is the woman -who would not be proud to owe hers to you?’</p> - -<p>The prince shook his head, and declaimed mock-tragically:</p> - -<div class="poem-container"> -<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> -<span class="iq2">‘“No, no; all things flee as age approaches,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">All things go, illusion too:<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Nature would have done much better<br /></span> -<span class="i0">To keep that until the last.”’<br /></span> -</div></div> -</div> - -<p>‘I’ll leave you to your appointment, prince,’ I -said.</p> - -<p>‘No, I’ll wait no longer; lend me your arm and -take me home.’</p> - -<p>We slowly went in the direction of his house, and -on the way his conversation betrayed the feeling of -slighted pride; his words were marked by a tinge of -melancholy which was new to me.</p> - -<p>‘I am inclined to believe that in life reflection -comes as a last misfortune,’ he said. ‘Up to the -present I have not been among those who think that -growing old is in itself a merit. At the dawn of life -love’s dream balances its illusions on the spring within -us. One carries the cup of pleasure to one’s lips; -one imagines it’s going to last for ever, but years -come, time flies and delivers its Parthian darts; from -that moment disenchantment attends everything, the -colours fade out of one’s existence. Ah me, I must -get used to the idea.’</p> - -<p>‘But, prince, you attach too much importance to a -trifling disappointment. You must put it down to -the exactions of society, which those who are in it -cannot always disregard.’</p> - -<p>‘No, no, there’s an end of my illusions; everything -warns me of the years accumulating behind me. I -am no longer considered good for anything. In days -gone by, at Versailles, I was consulted on this, that, -and the other, on balls, fêtes, theatres, and so forth. -At present my advice is dispensed with. My time is -past, <em>my world</em> is dead. You’ll tell me that no man -is a prophet in his own country. A company of<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_220">220</a></span> -comedians has invaded the stage to drive me from it, -or to hiss should I persist in remaining. My prophecies -miss fire on account of the prophet’s age. -Tell me honestly, what is the worth of young men -nowadays to justify the world in lavishing its favours -on them? Envy has never entered my heart until -this moment.’ Then he harked back to his past, -impelled by the kind of melancholy pleasure we all -experience in retracing our road through life, even if -it is beset with thorns.</p> - -<p>‘I had an intense admiration and passionate love -for the science of warfare,’ he added, ‘and I may -safely say that from the day I joined the regiment -of dragoons from Ligne, I have won all my grades at -the point of my sword. That science has been the -occupation of my life; my labours have gained me -many sterling friends. As a soldier and as a general -I have done my duty.’</p> - -<p>‘History will forget neither the taking of Belgrade -nor the battle of Maxen, and your glorious share in -both. It will also remember the brilliant welcome -you received at Versailles when Maria-Theresa sent -you thither bearing the news.’</p> - -<p>‘Yes, these are memories of which no one will be -able to deprive me, and henceforth I’ll exclusively -wrap myself up in them. When the body threatens -ruin, memory alone supports the structure, but merely -as a hint of our being still alive. To my last moments, -as a compensation for the vicissitudes of my own -existence I shall be proud of having been on terms of -intimate friendship with men upon whom the eyes of -the universe were fixed. I may confess to having -always been fond of glory; indifference to it is a -mere pretence. Well, every succeeding day I become -more and more convinced of the emptiness of what -people conventionally call celebrity.’ Then he drifted -to the happy moments of his life.</p> - -<p>‘I have also passed through that delicious period -of life when youth gets intoxicated with all kinds of<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_221">221</a></span> -flattering promises, which a riper age rarely keeps, and -which old age altogether disperses. At that period, -days fly like moments, and the moments are worth -centuries. Happy he who knows how to profit by -them! Life is a limpid cup which becomes troubled -while one drinks from it; the first drops are like -ambrosia; but the lees are at the bottom; the more -agitated one’s life is, the more bitter does the draught -become at last. The loss, when all is said and done, -is perhaps not so great. Man gets to his grave as -the absent-minded get to their house. Here’s the -door of mine. Good-night, my dear lad. You, who -are beginning your career, take care to employ -every minute to the greatest advantage, and don’t -forget that the saddest days of our lives are counted -in the tale of our years just as much as the happiest. -Delille was right when he said, “Our best days go -first.”’</p> - -<p>And I took my leave of this excellent prince, of -this extraordinary man, whose only weakness consisted -in not making his pleasures fit in with his age, and in -persisting in keeping up a struggle with time, that -invincible athlete whom, as yet, no one has conquered. -Alas, he believed in the fable of Anacreon, whose love-affairs -still provided wreaths of roses for his hoary -locks at eighty.</p> - -<p>This love-tryst of the Prince de Ligne was to be -his last. When he talked thus of man’s arriving -at the brink of the grave without thinking of it, -he was far from perceiving that he himself already -had one foot therein. Since then I have often -reflected on the melancholy sadness of all his words, -but the Prince de Ligne never seriously considered -the idea of death. Not that he was afraid of it. At -no time of his life did fear approach within an arm’s -length of him. If now and again he spoke of old age -with a kind of melancholy, it was because he dreaded -the idea of not being in unison with the new generations -around him, as he had been in unison with the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_222">222</a></span> -friends of his youth. Thinking of all this, I continued -my nocturnal stroll by myself, repeating the verses -the prince had improvised on the subject, and I -reached the hotel, the ‘Roman Emperor,’ just as the -Comte Z—— was going in. To dispel the sad -thoughts induced by the prince’s remarks, I accepted -Count Z——‘s offer of a glass of punch and accompanied -him to his apartments.</p> - -<p>Z——,<a id="FNanchor_87" href="#Footnote_87" class="fnanchor">87</a> the son of a favourite minister of -Catherine <span class="smcap smaller">II.</span>, had recently lost his father, who left -him a considerable fortune, estimated at more than -thirty thousand serfs. I had seen a great deal of him -while I was in St. Petersburg, where his birth, his -gentle disposition, and his extensive attainments, much -beyond his years, had made him a favourite in the -highest circles. Having been appointed only a short -time before a ‘gentleman of the chambers,’ he proposed -to improve his education by travel, and he -began at Vienna. It was starting with a most -interesting preface the book of life, which, as he said, -he wished to read from the first page to the last.</p> - -<p>‘I have spent the evening at Prince Razumowski’s, -who, as you know, is a relative. His palace is still -littered with furniture, draperies, and flowers, the -remains of the brilliant fête. Truly, the ruins of a -ball are as interesting to contemplate as the ruins of -monuments and empires.’</p> - -<p>I, in my turn, told him of my meeting, and, the -punch gradually dissipating my fit of melancholy, we -began, like the selfish and unthinking young men we -were, to joke about old men who, with the snows of -many winters upon them, pretend to melt them in -the sunny rays of love. I told him the adventure of -the Comte de Maurepas which had so highly diverted -the Court of Versailles at the period of his last -ministry. Like the Prince de Ligne, M. de Maurepas, -at eighty, had preserved the habits of extreme<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_223">223</a></span> -attentiveness to the fair sex which ought only to be -indulged in by young men. The witty and handsome -Marquise de —— was the object of those -octogenarian attentions. Worried by Maurepas’ assiduities, -to which there could be no possible sequel, -she determined to put an end to them. The superannuated -Lovelace was seated one day near her in her -boudoir, and was commenting upon his unhappiness, -caused by the want of feeling of the woman he adored. -The marquise appeared touched by the recital; the -lover became more pressing, the marquise apparently -more yielding. At last she murmured a faint consent, -adding, however, ‘First go and bolt the door.’ -Maurepas went to bolt it, not on the inside, but -on the outside, and stole away on tiptoe without -saying good-bye to the malicious fair one. The -<i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">dénouement</i> met with our full approval.</p> - -<p>I was expecting next morning two Hungarian -horses, which I had been assured were the best -trotters in Vienna. Being anxious to try them at -once, I asked Z—— if he would come with me to -the Prater to do so. He promised. While talking -about trotters, none of which in Europe come up, -to my thinking, to those harnessed to the sledges -at Moscow for the runs on the frozen Moskowa, the -comte got into bed, being tired by the mazurkas in -which he had the night before been compelled to -initiate some German ladies, who experienced great -difficulties in their transition from the stiff German -minuet to the graceful elasticity of the Polish -dance.</p> - -<p>‘Good-night, comte, I’ll leave you to your well-earned -rest. I’ll put the lights out, and give one -candle to your servant, I hope you’ll have a good -sleep, so that you may be ready to-morrow at twelve.’ -With this I left him. Next morning at twelve the -horses were put to the cabriolet, and I went upstairs -to fetch Z——; but when I got to his door, his -servant told me he was asleep. ‘What! asleep at<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_224">224</a></span> -twelve, when he went to bed before midnight. I -think I’ll wake him,’ I said, and made my way into -the room, where the curtains were drawn to exclude -the daylight.</p> - -<p>‘Up, up!’ I shouted, ‘the horses are waiting for us. -Or are you ill?’</p> - -<p>He woke up, sat upright in bed, and began to rub -his eyes, as if to suppress his tears. ‘My dear father; -why have I lost my father?’ he exclaimed.</p> - -<p>‘Have you had a nightmare, dear comte? What -has the memory of your father to do with the horses -we are going to try?’</p> - -<p>‘Alas, my friend, it’s not a dream, but a horrible -reality. I lost two millions of roubles last night.’</p> - -<p>‘Are you mad or joking? You are in bed as I left -you when I put out the lights. Do you walk in your -sleep, or are you not awake?’</p> - -<p>‘No, friend, but I’m awaking from a sleep which -I wish had been my last one. S—— and the Comte -B—— entered the room immediately after you left -it. They relighted the candles which you extinguished: -we played all night, and I have lost two -millions of roubles, for which I gave them my bills. -Here, look for yourself.’</p> - -<p>I stepped to the window and drew the curtains -aside: the floor was littered with cards, which they -must have got in the hotel, and the ruin of the young -fellow had been accomplished before daylight.</p> - -<p>‘This can only be a joke on their part, dear comte; -make your mind easy. They could not possibly -harbour the thought of despoiling a friend in that -manner. They are also my friends, although I should -certainly cease to consider them as such if they hesitated -for a moment to destroy every trace of such -a disgraceful night.’ Having said this, I immediately -left him, to go to S——, to whom I submitted the -same argument in order to persuade him to waive -his claim. I said much more; I pointed out the consequences -to himself if such a story came to the ears<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_225">225</a></span> -of the Emperor Alexander. Referring to the sovereign’s -well-known dislike of any kind of gaming, I did -not disguise from him the possibility of the emperor -taking up the matter personally, with a view of preventing -such deplorable transactions in the future, -and that he, S——, might be selected, not without -some justification, as an example for the sake of -enforcing the lesson. All my efforts to bring him to -reason and to arouse a feeling of equity were in vain. -He positively derided what he was pleased to call my -sentimental pathos, and ended up by proposing a -game for my cabriolet and horses, so that I might -be enabled to preach from experience. I felt disgusted, -and left him.</p> - -<p>From the military man I proceeded to the -diplomatist, who proved to be much more frigid -than the other. With many fine phrases he tried to -convince me that it was not disloyal or dishonourable -to wake up a young man of twenty-one at midnight -in order to despoil him of his fortune in a couple -of hours.</p> - -<p>‘Is it worth while to make so much ado about the -loss of a few <em>boumashkis-boumashkis?</em>‘—being the -name of Russian paper money—he said. ‘We have -only to look around us to find the same thing going -on every day in another shape. You have merely -to count the claimants to thrones they lost because -the game went against them. Do you think people -pay any heed to them? You may have noticed -a gentleman who left when you came in. That’s -the Marquis de Brignoli. He came to Vienna to -claim the independence of Genoa. The ambassador -of a republic which is at its last gasp, he has treated -the Congress to a most energetic protest, which you -may read if you like, for I have it here. In spite -of his logic, M. de Metternich politely bowed him -out, and Genoa is to be given to Piedmont, which has -won it, and means to keep it. Venice disappears in -spite of its ancient wisdom. Is it being swallowed<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_226">226</a></span> -up by the Adriatic? Not at all. It’s Austria -that has won it, and means to keep it. Malta only -claims from the Congress its rock and arms to defend -itself against all comers: England, it is told, has won -it, and means to keep it. Prussia gains Saxony; -Sweden gains Norway; Russia gains Poland. Europe -in Vienna sits round a table covered with a green -cloth; she is gambling for states, and a cast of the -diplomatic dice involves the loss or the gain of a -hundred thousand, nay, of a million, of heads.<a id="FNanchor_88" href="#Footnote_88" class="fnanchor">88</a> -Why should not I win a few bits of paper when luck -favours me?’</p> - -<p>‘But from your friend, Monsieur le Comte?’</p> - -<p>‘They are very scrupulous about relatives here, -not to say about friends, when it comes to the -appropriation of thrones, aren’t they. No, no, -all this is so much nonsense. Figaro resolved the -problem long ago: “What’s worth taking, is worth -keeping.”’</p> - -<p>What answer could I make to such maxims, except -to treat them with contempt? I left him and went -back to Z—— to inform him of the failure of my -efforts.</p> - -<p>‘I felt certain it would be so,’ he said. ‘The sting -of a serpent is less cruel than the ingratitude of a -friend. There is but one way with people like this, -and I’ll employ it.’</p> - -<p>He was quite himself now; he dressed and went -out to call upon the grand-chamberlain, Narischkine, -who was his superior in virtue of his Court charge. -He intended to inform him of the disaster that had -befallen him, and the means he meant to use for -redress. He would not allow me to go with him; -and I tried my horses by myself. I could have -wished them, in their rapid course, to carry me right -away from the painful impressions of the last few -hours.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_227">227</a></span> -Such episodes were by no means rare in Russia -and in Poland. The fatal passion of gambling -was carried to excess. It had become a frenzy, a -positive madness. Russian and Polish society teemed -with victims, the whole of whose fortunes had been -lost at the gaming table in a dozen hours.</p> - -<p>I remember that after Potocki’s death at Tulczim, -the children of his first marriage came into possession -of his immense fortune. Two of these, educated at -Leipzig, received during the life of their father only -a few ducats per week for pocket-money. The -moment they were the masters of their inheritance, -they went headlong into all the excesses of gaming, -and the elder of the two lost thirty millions of -florins in three years by playing at faro with his own -land-stewards. A short time after that his friend, -M. de Fontenay, who had clung to him through good -and evil fortune, had to borrow a hundred louis to -have him buried at Aix-la-Chapelle, where he died.</p> - -<p>Sometimes the incidents of those terrible gaming -parties presented the most wonderful reversals of -luck. Here is an instance. Prince Galitzin, one of -the richest of Russian nobles, was playing on one -occasion with the most persistent bad luck. Estates, -serfs, revenues, town-houses, furniture, jewels, everything -had been swallowed up. He had nothing left -but his carriage. That was waiting for him outside; -he staked it, and lost that in a few throws of the dice. -A few minutes afterwards the horses were also gone. -‘I did not stake the harness,’ he said; ‘it is all in -silver, and has just come from St. Petersburg.’</p> - -<p>His adversary nodded, and a game was begun for -the harness. At that moment, though, the luck -turned as completely in the Prince’s favour as a -few moments previously it had been against him. -In a few hours he not only won back the horses, the -carriage, and the family jewels, but everything else -he had lost so rapidly, and that, thanks to the harness, -which literally seemed to be attached to the wheel<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_228">228</a></span> -of fortune. It is absolutely astounding to find that -men are not positively shattered by those shocks -of fortune. Galitzin was not ungrateful in his -worship of the harness. In his palace at Moscow -I have looked at it—in fact, it was pointed out to -me, suspended in the most conspicuous spot of -the building, and protected from the tiniest speck of -dust by a framework of glass, like a precious relic, -and as a tangible proof of the strange vicissitudes -of gaming.</p> - -<p>During my stay in Russia, that same Prince -Galitzin was the victim of probably the cleverest -piece of fraud ever perpetrated, in which his luck -forsook him. He was a great amateur of diamonds -and precious stones, and also claimed to be a judge. -One day, in the card-room of the English club at -Moscow, he noticed an Italian wearing a ring with a -diamond of the first water, and of extraordinary size. -The prince went up to the wearer of this magnificent -jewel, and asked to be allowed to look at it. ‘And -you also, prince, are taken in by it,’ replied the -Italian. ‘What looks to you like a diamond is only -a bit of paste, very beautiful paste, but after all, -paste.’</p> - -<p>The prince shook his head. ‘No paste ever -sparkled like that. Will you mind confiding it to -me for a few hours?’ he asked. ‘I wish to show it to -the emperor’s jeweller, in order to prove to him the -rare degree of perfection imitation can attain.’</p> - -<p>The Italian made not the least difficulty in granting -the request. The prince ran to the jeweller to -ask him the value of the magnificent single stone. -The dealer examined, weighed, and tested the thing, -admitting that he had rarely seen so perfect a specimen -of petrified carbon. ‘But it’s a bit of paste,’ -exclaimed the prince with glee. The dealer examined -and weighed again, subjected the stone to more tests, -and finally pronounced the gem to be a diamond, a -diamond of the first water, which in the trade would<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_229">229</a></span> -fetch at the lowest estimate a hundred thousand roubles, -and for which he, if it was to be disposed of, would -be willing to give eighty thousand. Galitzin makes -the dealer repeat his words again and again, and finally -returns to the card-room, where the Italian is engaged -in a quiet game of piquet. The prince gives him his -ring, asking him to sell it; to which the Italian replies -that he is not in want of money, and that in any case -the ring has not the slightest value. Galitzin will not -take no for an answer, but cannot get the Italian to -budge. He sets great store by the bauble, not -because of its worth, because it has none, but for the -associations attached to it, inasmuch as his mother -gave it to him, exacting his promise never to part -with it. Seduced by the prospect of an enormous -bargain, Galitzin would take no refusal, offered ten -thousand roubles, increased his offer to thirty -thousand, and finally proposed fifty thousand.’</p> - -<p>‘Very well, prince,’ said the Italian, as if weary of -the struggle, ‘fifty thousand be it then; and you, -gentlemen—’ this, turning to the lookers-on—‘you can -bear witness that the prince compels me to sell him -for fifty thousand roubles a mere bit of paste.’</p> - -<p>‘Never mind, give me the ring,’ exclaimed Galitzin -impatiently; ‘I know what I am doing.’ Thereupon -the Italian took the ring off his finger and handed it -to the prince, who, delighted with his purchase, gave -him there and then a voucher for fifty thousand roubles, -to be paid at sight by his business-manager. An hour -afterwards the money was in the Italian’s pocket, and -the next morning Galitzin repaired once more to the -jeweller’s, telling him of his success in obtaining the -diamond, and holding it up for his inspection.</p> - -<p>‘But this is only a bit of paste,’ exclaims the dealer; -‘a splendid bit of paste, but after all, paste. It’s -wonderful, though, how closely it resembles the single -stone you showed me yesterday. It’s the same size, -the same cut, the same shape. It’s calculated to -deceive better judges than your excellency.’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_230">230</a></span> -His consternation notwithstanding, Galitzin soon -perceived that he had been duped by an adroit -scoundrel, who at the moment of handing him the -ring had cleverly substituted a paste imitation of it, -but an imitation calculated to impose upon all but -the most expert. A hue-and-cry was raised after the -Italian in Moscow, but immediately after securing -the amount of his voucher, he had left. As for the -prince, in addition to the loss of his money, he had -the mortification of being pitied by no one; he was -simply looked upon as ‘the biter bit.’</p> - -<p>The affair of Z—— made a great noise in Vienna. -The enormous amount of his loss, the circumstances -under which it was sustained, the place itself of the -gambling transaction, everything pointed to a diabolically -conceived combination, scarcely to be reconciled -with the age of the gamblers, the oldest of whom was -only three-and-twenty. The sequel fully confirmed -my prediction to S——. Alexander had the deepest -aversion to gamblers and gambling. From that -moment he withdrew his favour from S——, and -eight months afterwards in Paris, in the private -room of the Emperor at the Elysée Bourbon, S—— -was forced to admit that he would willingly part with -half of his fortune if the affair had never occurred, -or if he had taken my advice about hushing it up.</p> - -<p>Z—— and the Comte B—— fought a duel with -swords, in which the latter was worsted, and the sum -paid in settlement of his winnings was comparatively -a modest one. The Emperor Alexander would neither -forgive nor forget the affair. A few years later the -young comte, knowing that in Russia it is not sufficient -to be somebody, but that it is necessary to be -also something, wrote to the emperor to be attached -to the legation at Florence; but Alexander sent a -refusal in the following terms:</p> - -<p>‘In consideration of the services rendered to our -august mother by the Comte B——, your father, I -excuse the glaring presumption of your request.’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_231">231</a></span> -Under the painful impression of that scene in the -morning, I spent a sad day, full of depressing thoughts. -The rapid ruin of Z——, the callousness of his two -adversaries, the inevitable consequences of such a -startling affair, did not make me feel disposed to enjoy -any of the daily gaieties of the Congress. The arrival -of Ypsilanti put an end to my serious mood. He -came to take me to the masked ball given by the -Court in the small hall set apart for routs, which -was to be preceded by ‘living pictures.’ I at first -refused, but was finally persuaded to accompany -him.</p> - -<p>The entertainment differed but little from similar -ones that had gone before; at that period there -was one almost every week. After a few turns -through the magnificent rooms, which, as usual, -afforded the most complete and animated example of -everything that wealth could procure and the constant -craving for pleasure could relish, we went into -the room arranged for ‘the living pictures.’ In the -front rows, the emperors, the sovereigns, and queens, -had already taken their seats; behind them were the -political celebrities of the Congress. In a few minutes -the curtain rose.</p> - -<p>The first picture was ‘la Conversation Espagnole,’ -and the second ‘la Famille de Darius aux pieds -d’Alexandre,’ after the handsome painting of Lebrun. -The Comte de Schönfeldt represented Alexander, -and the charming Sophie Zichy impersonated Statira. -The features of the male character were stamped -with the gentle pride of the victor, still further -tempered by the kindness and modesty of the hero; -the comtesse, even more beautiful than the figure of -Lebrun’s painting, expressed both admiration and -grief. The youngest and most charming women of -the Court represented the daughters of Darius and -the attendants of Statira. The heroic and touching -expression of the principal personages, the numerous -delightful figures, the fidelity of the attitudes, the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_232">232</a></span> -arrangement of the light—in short, everything gave -to the picture a completeness both elevated and -sensuous, and it was not surprising to hear it unanimously -applauded. It was followed by a performance -of the sparkling comedy <cite>Le Pacha de Surêne</cite>, by M. -Etienne. The principal parts were played by the -Comtesses Zichy and Marassi, the Princesses Marie -de Metternich and Thérèse Esterhazy, the Comte de -Wallstein, the Prince Antoine Radziwill, and a few -other distinguished personages. This pretty piece, -interpreted with the ability of experienced actors, -was greatly applauded.</p> - -<p>After that we went to the ball-room. One of the -first persons that caught my eye on entering was the -Prince de Ligne. He was beaming with happiness, -and his step was as elastic and graceful as that of -any young man. It was not the same man who had -confided his griefs to me on the previous night. On -his arm hung a woman in a blue domino. Her figure, -her voice, and the whole of her bearing fully explained -the disappointment and regret of the prince at finding -himself alone at the love-tryst. I brushed gently -past him, and whispered in his ear: ‘It appears -that you were lacking in patience last night.’ ‘You -are right,’ was the answer. ‘The great art of life is -the exercise of patience.’</p> - -<p>I went away, but I fancied I recognised the prince’s -companion. It was, unless I made a mistake, Mme. -A—— P——, the young and charming Greek, who -was attracting so much attention in Vienna. An -unhappy love affair, of which the Prince de C—— -was the hero, had aroused the interest of the fair and -most impressionable half of the Austrian aristocracy; -her great beauty had easily obtained for her many -friends among the other half of the European celebrities. -Her romantic story, which was told in whispers, -was simple and touching. Having fallen a victim to -the Prince de C——‘s blandishments when she was -still very young, she almost immediately became a<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_233">233</a></span> -mother. Both her existence and her heart were -broken by desertion. There was no lack of would-be -consolers; but doubtless her experience had taught -her that a first lapse is only condoned on condition of -its not being repeated. Unable to dispense with a -protector, she judiciously chose the Prince de Ligne, -whose great age, she probably thought, would silence -all adverse comment. The liaison, it was said, remained -strictly within the limits of a platonic correspondence; -the young Greek contributing her share -by epistles such as all women of all countries and -conditions know how to write; the illustrious old -man replying with effusions of which he alone had -preserved the secret. The latter contained the expression -of a sentiment more intense, perhaps, than -that of mere friendship, but tempered by the gentle -logic of a wholly paternal affection.</p> - -<p>Contrary to the invariable etiquette prevailing at -state balls, where only the polonaise was danced, -quadrilles were speedily organised. A few moments -later I caught sight once more of the Prince de Ligne, -but this time he was alone. As a matter of course, -I went up to him. ‘Just watch that pretty bayadère -figuring in the quadrille close to us,’ he said. -‘Would you not take her for one of the most tantalizing -girls at the ball? Well, before she had spoken -three words I guessed her identity. It’s young -Alfred, the Comte de Woyna’s brother.’</p> - -<p>‘A young man, prince?’</p> - -<p>‘A young man dressed as a girl. There’s nothing -surprising in that. Your celebrated dancer Duport -came all the way from Paris to Vienna in woman’s -clothes. He alighted from his post-chaise at the -Princesse Jean de Lichtenstein’s, where he danced -the whole of the evening, still in woman’s clothes, -and to the admiration of that circle of admirers, all -of whom went to applaud him next evening at the -theatre at the Court, where, still in female attire, -he danced in the ballet of <cite>Achille à Scyros</cite>. Look<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_234">234</a></span> -you here, my boy: there are disguises elsewhere than -at routs, and inasmuch as you have taken to collect -the trifles I wrote during the spring of my life, as -well as in its fall, I’ll read you to-morrow one of the -transgressions of my youth, entitled, <cite>Le Roman d’une -Nuit</cite>. Only my extreme youth can be the excuse -for that.’</p> - -<p>He referred once more to society; to the society -he had bitterly stigmatised as ungrateful. ‘I shall -always consider myself fortunate in having been a -witness of that unique spectacle, the Congress. In -that varied crowd I look upon each individual as a -separate page of the great book of society. Believe -me, man is not as bad as he is painted. Woe to the -misanthropic moralists who care to look only at the -sombre side of him. They are the painters who only -study nature at night.’</p> - -<p>Amidst this boisterous, bustling throng, where -people looked for their friends without finding them, -though they might be elbowing each other, two -female dominos came up to me and drew me away from -the prince. One took my hand. ‘Why were you -in such a hurry to leave us?’ she asked. The voice, -which sounded altogether natural, was entirely unfamiliar -to me. ‘When a man addresses verses to -a woman,’ she went on, ‘he assuredly does not expect -her to travel three hundred leagues for the sake -of thanking the author.’</p> - -<p>‘Gentle mask, Vienna is three hundred leagues -from Paris, an equal distance from Naples, and as -much from St. Petersburg, and in all these places -I have unfortunately addressed verses to ladies. I -must therefore ask you to be more explicit, for unless -you are, I shall be travelling a long while in search -of my unknown heroine.’</p> - -<p>‘Very well, let us say it was at St. Petersburg, -and that Lafont set them to music.’</p> - -<p>‘In that case I should not be sufficiently conceited -to aspire to thanks from the object of my poetry.’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_235">235</a></span> -‘Why not, if the verses bestowed caused pleasure?’</p> - -<p>‘Or,’ added her companion, who had hitherto been -silent, ‘if the proof of the pleasure is the thanks -offered.’</p> - -<p>It has been said with truth that the whole destiny -of a life is decided in an instant. I immediately -recognised the voice, which I had only heard once -before. The strange and brilliant dream of a night -was about to be reproduced a second time with all its -former illusions. I did not know what to say; the -liberty of speech, tacitly admitted under cover of a -mask, only added to my confusion. ‘Have you -nothing to say?’ asked the same voice. ‘Sweet -mask,’ I replied, ‘the timid bird may sing at sunrise, -only the eagle dare fixedly look at the sun in its -zenith.’</p> - -<p>Thereupon I endeavoured to get my two interlocutors -out of the crowd, in order to be more free in the -interview, which I felt was to decide the whole of my -life, but Grand-Chamberlain Narischkine came up to -us, recognised the ladies, took their arms and led -them away. I had no longer any doubt. I had met -once more the angel of a dream the realisation of -which would not occur on earth.</p> - -<p>I remained rooted to the spot, then rushed after -the dominos like a madman. I saw nothing, I heard -nothing except the magic words that had gone to the -core of my heart. My pursuit was in vain, the crowd -had parted us for evermore.</p> - -<p>In one of the quadrangular rooms I came upon -the Prince Cariati talking very animatedly to a lady -disguised as a gipsy, who immediately revealed her -<i xml:lang="la" lang="la">incognita</i>. It was the Comtesse Zamoyska, our neighbour -on the Jaeger Zeill.</p> - -<p>‘I wish you to join our plot,’ she said; ‘it ‘s a complicated -piece of mystification, the sequel to an -intrigue begun at one of these balls, which has -lasted now for several weeks. The personage I wish -to mystify is worthy of my attempt.’ Without<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_236">236</a></span> -knowing or caring much what I did, I fell in with -the wish of the comtesse, who left us, laughing.</p> - -<p>I was getting weary of it all, when I noticed my -friend M. Achille Rouen occupying a rout seat all -by himself, and apparently as bored as I was. I -asked him if he had seen the dominos of whom I was -in search. ‘If you mean the two who were with -Narischkine,’ he replied, giving me an exact description -of them, ‘they left the ball a quarter of an hour ago.’</p> - -<p>From that moment the charm of the evening -seemed to have vanished, as far as I was concerned. -We began chatting about the Congress and the -current news, and as a matter of course the name of -M. de Talleyrand cropped up. No other name was -so often mentioned in people’s comments on the difficult -and critical questions of the moment. Achille -Rouen, who never missed a day without seeing him, -was sincerely attached to him.</p> - -<p>‘It’s impossible to know M. de Talleyrand -thoroughly without liking him,’ he said. ‘All those -who have come in close contact with him judge him -as I do. He is an inexplicable, I might say indefinable, -amalgam of simplicity and lofty thoughts, of -grace and logic, of critical faculty and courteous -tolerance. In one’s intercourse with him, one learns -almost unconsciously the history and politics of all -times, and thousands of stories in connection with -every Court; his company is practically a guide -through an enormous gallery, where events are as -instructively depicted as personages.’</p> - -<p>‘And in spite of this, my dear Achille, how people -have rent him to pieces! Is mediocrity always to exact -such a heavy toll from talent for the latter’s success? -For, if such be the case, the only happy people are -those whose obscurity does not breed envy in others.’</p> - -<p>‘History will reward M. de Talleyrand for the evil -his contemporaries have said of him. When, in the -course of a long and difficult career, a statesman has -preserved a great number of faithful friends, and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_237">237</a></span> -counts but few enemies, one feels bound to credit him -with having been wise and moderate, honourable and -thoroughly able. In the prince’s case, the heart is -even better than the ability. Not long ago, M. de -R—— came to borrow twenty thousand francs -of him. M. de Talleyrand lent them. A month -later the news came that in consequence of business -reverses, M. de R—— had blown his brains out. “I -am glad I did not refuse him the money,” exclaimed -M. de Talleyrand, and one sentence like this suffices -to paint the man.</p> - -<p>‘But,’ Rouen went on, ‘what is the circumstance -to which he lately referred during a conversation, -and which he said might have considerably influenced -your life?’</p> - -<p>‘That circumstance, my dear Achille, never presents -itself to my mind without reviving my regret -at having allowed to escape one of the rare opportunities -which offered themselves in one’s young -days. Everything in the way of creating for oneself -a career, of making a friend, even a female friend, -depends upon a moment. The goddess of chance -must be caught by the forelock as she rushes past; -our regrets have no effect upon her when we have -neglected her momentary proximity to us, I shall -tell you how it happened. I had been living for -something like two months at Raincy, where M. -Ouvrard,<a id="FNanchor_89" href="#Footnote_89" class="fnanchor">89</a> then at the height of his fortune, had offered -me a couple of rooms in the building belonging to the -fire engine. I was only seventeen; you are acquainted -with the circumstances which at that period brought -me into contact at such a youthful age with the -whole of the society of what I must call “rejuvenated -France.” I had received an invitation to a dinner -given by M. Davencourt, the newly appointed -“Captain-General of the Hunt,” in honour of his new -functions. It took place in a kind of Russian hut -built in the park, and at the end of a hunt. The<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_238">238</a></span> -other guests were MM. de Talleyrand, de Montrond,<a id="FNanchor_90" href="#Footnote_90" class="fnanchor">90</a> -Ouvrard; Admiral Bruix; Generals Lannes and Berthier. -The only woman present was Mme. Grant, who -subsequently married the Prince de Talleyrand. In -spite of the many elements of interest and the clever -guests, the conversation slackened; to give it a -fillip, Ouvrard asked me how I had managed on the -previous day to get back to Paris, my horse having -got hurt while out hunting, and there being by a -strange coincidence no other animal left in the stable.</p> - -<div class="tb">* <span class="in2">* </span><span class="in2">* </span><span class="in2">* </span><span class="in2">*</span></div> - -<p>‘In a very simple way,’ I replied. ‘As you said -just now, there was not a horse to be had for love or -money, and I had to be in Paris at three to meet -Mme. Récamier, whom I would not have missed for -anything, inasmuch as she was about to leave the -capital immediately. When there is no chance -of a horse or a carriage, the simplest means is to -walk, so I made up my mind to foot it. It was very -hot, but at twelve o’clock I got into the plain about -midway between Bondy and Pantin. I felt thoroughly -knocked up, and, moreover, literally as hungry as a -hunter; I stopped at a mill near the high road, and -asked them to get me some breakfast. While it was -being prepared, I began to think of my second want, -and asked the miller if there was no means of getting -a horse. “There is mine,” he replied, “and for a -crown of six francs it’s at your service. It will take -you very comfortably, and to-morrow, when I get to -Paris, I’ll come and fetch it from your house.” The -courser was brought to the door; it was about as -high as an ass, and in fact performed the duties of -one; it had no other equipment than a pack-saddle.</p> - -<p>‘“How am I to get on to that?” I said to the miller. -“Haven’t you got a riding-saddle? But there is one -hanging on the wall.”</p> - -<p>‘“Oh, that’s my own saddle, my brand-new English -saddle, and I don’t let it out for hire, monsieur.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_239">239</a></span> -‘In vain did I insist, and beg, and persuade. The -miller was obstinate, and I might have saved my -breath. I beheld myself riding through the streets -of Paris perched on that lamentable pack-saddle, -which had never carried anything but flour or manure. -Assuredly the horse was of no use to me without the -saddle. “Now, gentlemen,” I said, interrupting my -story and addressing my fellow-guests, “what would -you have done in view of the miller’s obstinacy?” -Then I appealed to each in particular. “You, -Monsieur Ouvrard, who, in virtue of your administrative -capacities, admired by everybody, sustain our -military glory by looking to the inner comforts of our -soldiers? You, Davencourt, who, in spite of all the -ruses of the fox, put on its scent a dozen packs after -they have lost it? You, Monsieur l’Amiral, who brave -both the storm and the guns of the enemy? You, -Generals Berthier and Lannes, who in Italy and in -Egypt proved yourselves the Parmenios of the new -Alexander? And finally you, Monsieur de Talleyrand, -who as our Minister of Foreign Affairs have shown and -continue to show your profound observation of men -and things:—what would you have done to get hold -of the saddle the miller refused to lend at any price?” -There was no answer, they only laughed. “May I -remind you,” I said, “that laughter scarcely contributes -a reply. I have, however, already discovered -the master of all of you,” I went on, turning to -Mme. Grant. “Her smile shows me that she has -guessed my last resource. Yes, madame, you guessed -rightly; I appealed to the miller’s wife, and with a -few carefully chosen words, managed to enlist her -sympathy. The new saddle, the horse, and the mill -if I had been in need of it, were finally at my disposal. -Such, in the cottage as in the palace, is the -power of feminine influence.”</p> - -<div class="tb">* <span class="in2">* </span><span class="in2">* </span><span class="in2">* </span><span class="in2">*</span></div> - -<p>‘No sooner had I finished my break-neck story than -loud applause broke forth, followed by the drinking<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_240">240</a></span> -of my health and to the result of my negotiation. -Encouraged by everybody’s approval, I began to talk, -like the boy I was, right and left, and my remarks -were evidently relished by Mme. Grant. M. de -Talleyrand, who at that period was very much in love -with her, because, as he said, she had everything that -completed the charm of a woman, namely, a soft skin, -a sweet breath, and a sweet temper—M. de Talleyrand -seemed equally pleased with me. The rest of the -guests followed his lead, considering it easier to adopt -the opinion of a clever man than to go to the trouble -of making one for themselves.</p> - -<p>‘When we left the table, M. de Talleyrand beckoned -me to a corner of the room and talked to me for a -considerable time. He seemed to enjoy the account -of my travels in Sweden and in Denmark. The -description of the shelling of Copenhagen, at which I -was present, interested him. My remarks on all those -countries, on the <i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">émigrés</i> in Hamburg, and on Hamburg -itself, he qualified as exceedingly just. “Come -and see me in Paris to-morrow,” he said. “I’ll expect -you. But you are very young, and perhaps you’ll -forget. Promise me that you’ll not fail to come.” -Saying which he grasped my hands very affectionately. -Mme. Grant, who had joined us, was -equally pressing. I promised, and I ought to have -kept my promise, for it was one of those lucky -opportunities which often decide the whole of a man’s -life and which the great Frederick called “His -Majesty, Accident.”</p> - -<p>‘But, my dear Achille, happiness is a ball after -which we constantly run and then push with our feet -when we have come up with it. I did not keep my -appointment with M. de Talleyrand. That unfortunate -shyness which too often paralyses youth had once -more got the upper hand. I’ll not go as far as to -say that I was practically frightened at the possible -consequences of this good-will towards me. But I -did ask myself what people could offer me in exchange<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_241">241</a></span> -for that constant succession of happiness, of maddening -joys which at that moment made up my existence? -I dreaded the end of a dream which my thoughtlessness, -my ignorance of all serious things, sought to prolong. -The contact with, the goodwill of, such a man, -his influence, would have given a different direction -to my ideas and to my career; in short, would have -finally created for me a different life. Yes, friend, -the goddess of chance absolutely stood in my path, -and I was foolish enough not to catch hold of her. I -learnt too late that her favour has wings, as desire is -said to have.’</p> - -<p>‘I am not surprised at the prince’s recollection of -the incident. His memory is excellent.’</p> - -<p>‘Since then I have often thought the matter over, -and always regretted my neglect to let M. de Talleyrand -know the causes of my apparent lack of -gratitude.’</p> - -<p>‘Your story reminds me of one I heard recently in -Rome in connection with the banker Torlonia, whose -enormous fortune is, again, a consequence of one of -those inspirations that decide the fate of a man.</p> - -<p>‘Torlonia, who sprang from very humble people, -began by a small traffic of jewellery between Paris -and Rome. A short time afterwards he established -himself as a banker, and then an unhoped-for -and altogether unexpected circumstance brought him -in contact in a very strange manner with Cardinal -Chiaramonti. At the death of Pius <span class="smcap smaller">VI.</span> the conclave -for the election of a new Pope was obliged to assemble -at Venice. Chiaramonti positively had not the money -to pay his travelling expenses, and Torlonia advanced -him three or four hundred crowns without much -thought as to the small risk involved, and certainly -without foreseeing the consequences. Chiaramonti -proceeded to Venice, where, in the church of St. -George’s (?), he was elected to the papacy. As a proof -of his gratitude, the new Sovereign Pontiff appointed -him Court Banker, then made him a marquis and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_242">242</a></span> -finally a duke. To-day, thanks to that small loan, -Torlonia is one of the wealthiest capitalists of Europe.’</p> - -<p>These last words had just been spoken when Ypsilanti, -Tettenborn, and some other friends came to tell -us that supper was being served. We followed them -to the supper-room, where the conversation turned -once more on the subject of M. de Talleyrand and -his remarkable influence on the deliberations of the -Congress. Everybody was agreed that this preponderance -was not due either to mere chance or to the -just appreciation of his political knowledge, but to his -character, which had laid it down as a principle that -the first and foremost essential of all diplomatic -negotiations was an impenetrable discretion; and to -the fact of his having imbued all those whom he employed -with the same reserve. In connection with -this, some one cited the recent reply of M. D—— in a -gathering of friends where M. de Talleyrand and the -particulars of his life were being discussed.</p> - -<p>M. D——, who had been with M. de Talleyrand -for twenty years, accompanied him to the Congress. -People naturally concluded that this long intimacy -had made M. D—— familiar with a number of particulars -of the minister’s life, and bearing also upon -the events with which he had been mixed up. -Worried with questions, M. D—— invariably replied -that he knew nothing; but the questioners would not -be satisfied, and returned to the charge. ‘Very well,’ -finally said M. D——, ‘I’ll tell you a peculiar and -altogether unknown fact in connection with M. de -Talleyrand. Since Louis <span class="smcap smaller">XV.</span> he’s the only man who -can open a soft-boiled egg with one backward stroke -of his knife without spilling a drop of the contents -of the shell. That’s the only peculiarity I know -in connection with him.’ Discretion had scored a -decisive victory. From that moment the questions -ceased.</p> - -<p>The topic of M. de Talleyrand seemed really inexhaustible. -More stories about him were told, and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_243">243</a></span> -then the Prince de Reuss came up to our table, said -a few words to M. Rouen, and once more left us.</p> - -<p>‘It was his father, the reigning prince,’ said one of -our friends, ‘who at the time of the Directory began -an official despatch in the following terms: “The -Prince de Reuss begs to acknowledge the existence of -the French Republic.” M. de Talleyrand, who in his -capacity of Minister of Foreign Affairs had to reply -to the missive, began his document with: “The -French Republic feels most flattered at making the -acquaintance of the Prince de Reuss.”’</p> - -<p>On leaving my friends, I could not help reflecting -with regret upon my adventure at Raincy, the recollection -of which had so unexpectedly cropped up a -few hours previously. I kept thinking of the chance -offered to me by M. de Talleyrand, which my lack of -foresight had caused me to disdain.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_244">244</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2><a id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII</h2> -</div> - -<blockquote> - -<p>Illness of the Prince de Ligne—The Comte de Witt—Ambassador -Golowkin—Doctor Malfati—The Prince gets worse—Last Sallies -of the Moribund—General Grief—Portrait of the Prince de Ligne—His -Funeral.</p></blockquote> - -<p>One of the most painful events of my life, namely, -the death of the Prince de Ligne, also damped the -gaieties of the Congress. The event affected me so -deeply, and it was so unexpected by me, that, after -many years, I still vividly remember the particulars. -I was on my way to pay my quasi-daily visit when, -not far from the prince’s residence, I met the -Comte de Witt, who wished to accompany me. The -prince was in bed and ailing. He had caught a -chill at that ill-fated appointment on the rampart; -and on the previous evening at the ball, where he -appeared so thoroughly consoled, he had been rash -enough to go out without a cloak in the bitter cold -in order to take some ladies to their carriage. As yet -there were no grave symptoms; he was only feverish, -and had passed a very restless night.</p> - -<p>Nevertheless, he welcomed us with the cordial grace -that never failed him, and we chatted about the crowd -of strangers in Vienna and the latest rumours of the -Congress; and finally we got to military matters, the -favourite subject of the octogenarian marshal and of -the young Russian general. To judge by his spirited -remarks, there seemed no cause for anxiety, and the -Comte de Witt as a parting sentence said how sorry -Vienna would feel at the news of its brightest ornament -being ill. He answered with a particularly<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_245">245</a></span> -atrocious pun, attributed to the Marquis de Bièvre, -which seemed to afford him great amusement, and -expressed the intention of getting well again in a -short time if only to spite the gossip-mongers of the -capital.</p> - -<p>When the Comte de Witt was gone, the prince -referred to the comte’s mother, to ‘his exquisitely -beautiful mother,’ as he expressed it, ‘whose image -rises before me the moment I catch a glimpse of her -son and reminds me of the best years of my life. -That type of beauty is lost,’ he went on. ‘It was a -combination of Eastern loveliness and Western grace. -You ought to have seen her, that Comtesse de Witt, -when for the first time she appeared at the Court of -France. No words of mine can convey an idea of the -effect she produced, of the universal enthusiasm she -aroused. I remember that, hearing her beautiful eyes—which -were, in fact, the most beautiful conceivable—constantly -mentioned, she imagined that the adjective -and the substantive were inseparable. One day -Marie-Antoinette said to her; “What’s the matter, -comtesse, you do not appear to be well?” “Madame,” -was the answer, “I have got a pain in my beautiful -eyes.” As you may imagine, this ingenuous, delightfully -naïve reply went the round, and justly applied -to the lovely creature.’</p> - -<p>I noticed that talking seemed to tire him, and I left, -not without a vague feeling of sadness and anxiety. -I felt depressed all day, and in order to verify my -apprehensions of the morning I went back at night. -Doctor Malfati<a id="FNanchor_91" href="#Footnote_91" class="fnanchor">91</a> and the Comte Golowkin, known in -connection with his unsuccessful mission to China, -were with him, and the former was warning him -against his want of care, which might be attended -with serious consequences. Since the morning violent -erysipelas had set in; the patient seemed much weaker.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_246">246</a></span> -Golowkin, who had no more faith than Molière -in doctors and the art of healing, was trying to dispel -his uneasiness. ‘With all due deference to the -faculty,’ replied the charming old man, ‘I have always -belonged to the sect of unbelievers where medicine -was concerned. You know the remedies I employed -during the famous journey with the great Catherine -in Taurida. She was very anxious that I should -submit to some of the dictates of Hippocrates. “I -have got a peculiar way of treating myself,” I replied. -“When I am ill, I send for my two friends, Ségur -and Cobentzel: I purge the one and bleed the other; -and that as a rule cures me.”’</p> - -<p>‘Times are changed, prince,’ said the doctor, somewhat -nettled; ‘and if my memory does not mislead -me, six lustres have gone by since then. Just let us -count the years a bit. They make, as far as I can -reckon——’</p> - -<p>‘Stay, stay, doctor,’ exclaimed the patient in a -lively tone, ‘don’t let’s count anything; I have never -counted my enemies. And you, a clever man, you -are telling me “times are changed.” Who in the -world could persuade himself that age changes one’s -face. Is it not the same in the morning when we get -up as it was the previous evening when we went -to bed? People here imagine, perhaps, that having -exhausted all kinds of pleasure, I am going to relieve -their monotony by giving them the spectacle of a -field-marshal’s funeral. No, I am not a sufficiently -good courtier to be the complacent actor in such an -entertainment. I have no wish to divert the royal pit -of the Congress Theatre in that way.’</p> - -<p>These well-known words of the Prince de Ligne -have always been strangely misquoted. Historians -have lent to them a kind of philosophy, desirable, -no doubt, but altogether unintended by the speaker. -All have made him say: ‘I keep for these kings the -spectacle of a field-marshal’s funeral.’</p> - -<p>Not one of those historians heard him as I did; not<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_247">247</a></span> -one of them knew or even suspected the real character -of that illustrious old man.</p> - -<p>The prince went on. ‘I do not intend using the -epitaph of my friend the Marquis de Bonnay for a -long time to come. I’ll defer the business of cutting -his clever lines into marble for a while.’<a id="FNanchor_92" href="#Footnote_92" class="fnanchor">92</a></p> - -<p>Malfati, though strongly recommending great care, -made it a point to reassure him, and to dismiss all -idea of death.</p> - -<p>‘It will have to come to that after all, I know. I -was seriously thinking of it all night. Death suits -many people. I once had the fancy of proving this -in several articles I wrote hurriedly. I’ll touch them -up and complete them later on. As for you,’ turning -to us, ‘listen and look, in order to find out if you happen -to belong to these categories; don’t worry about me. -As for the doctor, it will serve him as a text when he -wishes to preach resignation to his patients.’ Saying -which, he took from under his pillow a book and -began to read to us. Some of his reflections, apart -from their original and piquant style, had also the -merit of a comforting and gentle philosophic teaching.</p> - -<p>After that short moral lecture, Malfati left us. -Golowkin, in order to amuse the invalid, told him -some of the incidents of his mission to China; the -variety of the pictures seemed to brighten him. -Gradually dismissing the possibility of any danger, he -began to refer cheerfully to some of the circumstances -of his young days.</p> - -<p>‘When I was a child,’ he said, ‘the dragoons of the -Ligne regiment carried me in turns in their arms. -My fondness for soldiers dates from that period. It’s<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_248">248</a></span> -a kind of affection which, contrary to the other, has -often been repaid to me in coin of sterling devotion.’</p> - -<p>In spite of his cheerfulness, six or eight hours -had sufficed to make him look gaunt and wan. He -could no longer smile without an effort; there seemed -to be a short but terrible struggle going on between -him and bodily pain. Finally his courage and energy -got the upper hand; pain was for the moment vanquished.</p> - -<p>His daughter, the Comtesse Palfi, came in to administer -the potions prescribed by Malfati; we left -them. When Golowkin and I were outside on the -ramparts, we did not pretend to disguise our uneasiness -from each other. Golowkin was sincerely -attached to the prince.</p> - -<p>At eight the next morning I was at the prince’s -with Griffiths, who, having all his life made the -science of healing a particular study, felt only too -pleased to assist one he liked so well. The prince was -very depressed; the presentiment of his end made -him sad. ‘I know,’ he said, ‘nature will not be -balked. We must vacate the space we occupy in -this world for some other people. We must make up -our minds to it. Nevertheless, I feel this: the greatest -sting of death is the fact of leaving those whom we -love.’ I felt the tears getting into my eyes. ‘Come, -come,’ he said, ‘don’t be afraid, the “camarde” will -be mistaken once more.<a id="FNanchor_93" href="#Footnote_93" class="fnanchor">93</a> To-morrow my pain will be -gone like the dream of a night.’</p> - -<p>Then he was silent for a few moments, as if pondering. -‘What a sad thing is the past,’ he remarked at -last. ‘The recollection of it is horrid; if it has been -a happy past, it’s hard to say to oneself, “I have -been happy.” When one falls to thinking of one’s -moments of glory and of happiness, of one’s first -attempts, even of the games of childhood, the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_249">249</a></span> -thoughts are sufficient to kill one there and then with -regret. Nevertheless, if I could have my time over -again, or could return on earth after my death, I should -do almost everything I have already done. My poetry -and my love-affairs are the greatest sins I have committed, -and Heaven has never withheld its forgiveness -for such errors. The only thing I should endeavour -to do would be not to give the same persons a -chance of being ungrateful to me. After all, I would -only give others a chance....’</p> - -<p>Throughout the day the greatest personages of -Vienna, all the political and military celebrities and -the sovereigns, sent at frequent intervals for news. -The report of his illness had spread among all classes; -the anxiety was general, and a large crowd gathered -before his house, so intense was the interest in the -remarkable man about to disappear. During the -night, between the second and third day, his condition -became rapidly and alarmingly worse. His -family, bowed down with grief and dumb with -despair, stood around his bed when Malfati came in. -‘I did not think,’ said the patient, ‘that I should -make so much fuss at going. Truly, the uncertainty -and briefness of our days are not worth the -trouble of waiting.’ Then he began to talk with the -greatest gaiety about the bequests he had made. ‘The -inheritance will not be difficult to divide; yet, it was -necessary to proceed in orderly fashion. In accordance -with an ancient custom, I must leave something -to my company of trabans. Well, I have left them -my posthumous works; the gift is worth a hundred -thousand florins.’</p> - -<p>They tried to change the conversation in order to -divert his thoughts from the subject of death, but he -constantly returned to it. ‘I have always liked the -end of Petronius,’ he said. ‘Bent upon dying as he -had lived, in the lap of luxury, he made them play some -charming music and recite some beautiful verses. I’ll -do better than that: surrounded by those whom I love,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_250">250</a></span> -I’ll breathe my last in the arms of friendship. Don’t -be sad,’ he said a few moments later, ‘perhaps we’ll -not part yet. One illness sometimes prevents a more -serious one. Take heart; doubt is a most precious -gift from nature. Besides, I am by no means convinced -that the prophecy of Etrella is to be realised -so soon.’</p> - -<p>‘What prophecy, prince?’ asked Malfati.</p> - -<p>‘It dates from my last journeys to Paris. The -Duc d’Orléans, to whom I was much attached, for -he could be a staunch friend, took me one day on -leaving the Palais-Royal to a sorcerer, a fortune-teller, -whom they called the “Great Etrella.” This Parisian -gipsy was perched in a fifth floor in the Rue de Froid-manteau. -He foretold to the Duc d’Orléans some -surprising things to which my want of faith prevented -me from paying much attention. As for me, he told -me that I should die seven days after having heard a -great noise. Since then I have heard the noise of two -sieges, I have heard two powder-magazines blown up; -and I did not die of the noise. I fancy that during -the present week there has been no great noise, except -about small things—rumours, balls, fêtes, and -intrigues. Many people live by them and through -them. I have not heard it stated that anybody died -of them.’ He tried to smile. Suddenly, there was -an access of great weakness, which frightened us. -In a short time, though, he rallied once more. ‘I -feel it,’ he said, ‘the soul has worn out its dress. The -strength to live is gone; the strength to love you -all remains.’</p> - -<p>At these words, all his children flung themselves on -the bed, kissing his hands and bedewing them with -tears. ‘What are you doing?’ he said, drawing his -hands away. ‘I am not a saint yet, children; or -are you mistaking me for a relic?’</p> - -<p>The joke produced a more painful sensation than -the most agonising cry could have done. The doctor -prevailed upon him to take a draught, which gave<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_251">251</a></span> -him some hours of peaceful sleep. When he awoke -he had recovered his cheerfulness; the idea of death -had vanished. He began even to jest about the -terrible prognostics which, in spite of his weakness, -he had overheard in the morning. ‘Malfati, the -“camarde’s” messenger has given you to understand -that she might pay me a visit this evening,’<a id="FNanchor_94" href="#Footnote_94" class="fnanchor">94</a> he said. -‘A truce to that kind of gallant diversion. I have -never broken my appointments, but I mean to break -this one. Yes, I have adjourned the writing of the -verses which, like Hadrian, I intend to address to my -soul about to leave my body.’</p> - -<p>There was a lighted candle on a piece of furniture -near the window. ‘Blow that candle out,’ he said to -his servant: ‘people can see it from the rampart; -they’ll mistake it for a wax taper, and they’ll think -I am dead.</p> - -<p>‘Did not I tell you,’ he said, addressing himself to -us, ‘that the verdicts of the faculty are not invariably -without appeal. Decidedly, the newsmongers and -idlers of the Graben will have to postpone their comments -on my demise, at any rate this time. I hear -that to keep their tongues and pens going they are -spreading the rumour of the Empress of Russia’s -pregnancy.’</p> - -<p>He went on in the same tone, interrupting himself -to discuss the plans of his journeys for the coming -spring, and the travels he wished to complete. We, -alas, were far from sharing his opinion, the ravages of -the disease were too plainly discernible; practically -there was no hope. Malfati when leaving had pronounced -the situation to be exceedingly grave.</p> - -<p>Towards the middle of the night the doctor’s -apprehensions were fast being realised. The improvement -of a few hours was all at once succeeded -by a thorough prostration. Suddenly his strength -seemed to revive; he sat up in bed and assumed a -fighting attitude; his eyes were wide open, and shone<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_252">252</a></span> -with unusual brilliancy, he gesticulated violently -and shouted: ‘Shut the door, put her outside, “la -camarde,” the hideous hag.’ He was manifestly -struggling with all his might against the ‘hideous -hag’s’ grip, and gasping forth incoherent words, -while we, standing by terror-stricken and paralysed -with grief, could only answer him with sobs. This -last effort exhausted him completely; he fell back -unconscious. An hour later, God received his soul. -It was the 13th December 1814.</p> - -<p>His daughter, the Princesse de Clary, bent over him -and closed his eyes.<a id="FNanchor_95" href="#Footnote_95" class="fnanchor">95</a> His face no longer wore the -expression of terror and anger that had contracted it -a moment before his death. His features had recovered -their ordinary and placid expression, and the look of -youth which had been theirs so long in virtue of his -peace of mind and soul. A smile hovered on his lips, -and the man, so extraordinary in everything, even -after his death was perhaps handsomer than he had -ever been at any period of his life. His noble face -might have served as a model to the brush of Lesueur -for his sublime heads of Heaven’s elect. In default of -the halo which is the pictorial symbol of everlasting -happiness, there were the beams of genius and goodness. -His immortality had commenced.</p> - -<p>At the foot of the bed an old soldier was convulsed -with sobs. It was the Major Docteur whom I had -often met at the house. His affection for the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_253">253</a></span> -illustrious old man partook of the nature of fanatical -worship. It was said that there were ties of close -blood relationship, but whether the tears coursing -down that noble, scarred face were due to gratitude -or admiration, or kinship, they plainly showed the -extent of his loss and the bitterness of his grief.</p> - -<p>The princess cut a few locks of her father’s white -hair and distributed them among us. We received -them silently, bedewing them with our tears. I doubt -whether they were ever parted with by any of the -recipients.</p> - -<p>The Prince de Ligne was in his eightieth year. -With him disappeared one of the most brilliant lights -of his century.<a id="FNanchor_96" href="#Footnote_96" class="fnanchor">96</a></p> - -<p>He was the veteran of European elegance, and at -eighty had preserved the vigour of a man in his -prime added to the grace of youth. He also had the -tastes of the young without ever becoming ridiculous -in the slightest degree in consequence. Animated -as he was by the most cordial good-will towards them, -young men, whom he treated as ‘chums,’ worshipped -him and were never so happy as in his company.</p> - -<p>His was a genuine and unostentatious philosophy. -The revolution in Belgium deprived him of a great -part of his wealth. He bore his losses with the -utmost fortitude. Lavish like most men endowed -with great imagination, he had left portions of his remaining -fortune in every capital of Europe, and, in -spite of his extravagance, had scattered even more -wit than money.</p> - -<p>The idea of death had perhaps never presented -itself to him: the extent of his knowledge, the fantasy -displayed in his taste, his fondness for the worldly life -led by a society of which he might rightly claim to be -an ornament—all this had provided him with a freshness -of imagination, a vivacity of affection, and a kind -of unfailing youth, the source of which resided in his<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_254">254</a></span> -mind and in his heart. He in every respect justified -the saying of Maupertuis: ‘The body is a green -fruit; it only becomes ripe at the moment of death.’</p> - -<p>The Prince de Ligne was a field-marshal, the proprietor -of a regiment of infantry (raised and subsequently -maintained at his own expense), captain -of the trabans and the guards of the Imperial Palace, -a member of most of the European Orders, and a -Knight of the Golden Fleece. He took a legitimate -pride in reminding people that one of his ancestors, -Jean de Ligne, Marshal of Hainault, had received -that knighthood at the same time as Philip, the -father of Charles <span class="smcap smaller">V.</span></p> - -<p>No official mourning was ordered for the illustrious -deceased, nevertheless mourning was general, inasmuch -as it was in everybody’s heart. For a great -number of years, the Viennese had come to look upon -the Prince de Ligne as an object of respect and -admiration, a feeling which was, perhaps, still further -increased by the reverence shown him by foreigners. -The Viennese no doubt also remembered the friendship -that had bound him to their Emperor Joseph, -and the ‘fraternity of glory’ that had subsisted -between the prince and their most famous warriors; -they could not forget the familiar footing on which -he had lived with them and with all the celebrities -of the previous century. To part with the man who -spoke so admirably of all these, and reminded them -so vividly of their heroes, was like losing them a -second time.</p> - -<p>The funeral of the Prince de Ligne took place -with all the honours due to his rank, and with a -pomp hitherto unknown at the burial of a private -individual. The procession left his house at midday. -It was composed of eight thousand infantry, -several squadrons of cavalry, and four batteries of -artillery. His company of trabans surrounded the -funeral car; its officers carried the insignia of -mourning. A herald-of-arms, on horseback, in black<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_255">255</a></span> -armour, wearing a black crape scarf, baldrick-fashion, -and holding a drawn sword lowered, followed immediately -afterwards; and then came the prince’s own -battle-charger, caparisoned in black spangled with -silver stars. Behind the charger, and by the side -of the family, came a great number of marshals, -admirals, generals, belonging to nearly all the armies -and navies of Europe. Among them, the Prince -Eugène, Generals Tettenborn, Philippe de Hesse-Hombourg, -Walmoden, Ouwaroff, de Witt, Ypsilanti, -the Prince de Lorraine, the Duc de Richelieu, and all -the notable personages who at that moment had forgathered -in Vienna. Some of those captains, who had -come expressly to pay their last tribute to the man -who had been their model, were on horseback and -carried their swords bare.</p> - -<p>The procession traversed part of the city on its -way to the parish church, called the ‘Scottish Church.’ -After the religious ceremony, the funeral continued -its route to the Kalemberg, where the prince had -requested to be buried.</p> - -<p>The funeral procession of the field-marshal passed -before the sovereigns, some of whom, like the Emperor -of Russia and the King of Prussia, had taken up their -position on the site of the ramparts razed by the -French. There was unaffected grief on their faces. -Alexander, for instance, could not help remembering -the admiration of his grandmother for the illustrious -dead.</p> - -<p>When the coffin was lowered into the vault, the -sun shone out at full strength, and ‘it seemed,’ as -Gentz said, ‘as though he would salute for the last -time the favourite of God and men.’</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_256">256</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2><a id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII</h2> -</div> - -<blockquote> - -<p>The Fire at the Razumowski Palace—The Prince’s Great Wealth—The -Vicissitudes of Court Favour in Russia—Prince Koslowski—A Reminiscence -of the Duc d’Orléans—A Remark of Talleyrand—Fête -at the Comtesse Zichy’s—Emperor Alexander and his Ardent Wishes -for Peace—New Year’s Day, 1815—Grand Ball and Rout—Sir -Sidney Smith’s Dinner-Party at the Augarten—His Chequered -Life, his Missions and his Projects at the Congress—The King of -Bavaria without Money—Departure and Anger of the King of -Würtemberg—The Queen of Westphalia—The Announcement -of a Sleighing-Party—A Ball at Lord Castlereagh’s.</p></blockquote> - -<p>It seemed as if every species of amusement had -been exhausted for the gratification of the illustrious -gathering at Vienna. Balls, hunts, banquets, -<i>carrousels</i> were only a few of the forms pleasure had -adopted in its pursuit. The new year was drawing -near, and in order to inaugurate it under similar -auspices of gaiety and happy freedom from care, the -Austrian Court had announced sixteen grand fêtes or -new assemblies for the forthcoming month of January. -Suddenly, on a moonless night, the palace of Prince -Razumowski caught fire, and in consequence of a -rather stiff breeze the mischief spread rapidly, and in -a short time looked like Vesuvius in full blast. The -excitement spread in due proportion, and everybody -wished to catch a glimpse of the spectacle, worthy of -the brush of a great artist. In a short time the roads -leading to the structure were simply black with -people.</p> - -<p>At daybreak I also repaired to the spot. The -Emperor of Austria had gone thither at the first news -of the disaster. Several battalions of infantry, -animated by his presence, preserved order, and did<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_257">257</a></span> -all they could to check the progress of the flames, -without much apparent success. From amidst the -snow-covered roofs arose dense clouds of smoke, which -in turns hid and lighted up the burning building -itself. Every now and again an explosion more -violent than the rest literally caused burning beams -to drop from on high. A shower of smaller flames -threatened the various parts of the pile with total -destruction. The yawning walls suddenly disclosed -vast rooms, superb galleries crammed with precious -furniture and art-treasures, which almost immediately -became a prey to the fast-advancing monster. The -pictures and the statues were flung headlong into the -gardens and into the courts. If they escaped destruction -by fire, they were shattered to pieces on the -flagstones or saturated with the jets of water and the -molten snow, which had converted the ground into a -kind of quagmire. One magnificent gallery, decorated -with a number of statues by Canova, could not be -saved. Its floor had given way; and at that moment -a feeling of profound consternation seemed to have -taken possession of the enormous crowd. It was not -surprising, for the Razumowski Palace constituted -one of the sights of Vienna. It had taken twenty -years to build it. Several times since the opening -of the Congress, Emperor Alexander had borrowed it -of his ambassador. It was in these vast apartments -that he had given some of the fêtes rivalling in pomp -and splendour those of the Austrian Court; it was at -the Razumowski Palace that he had gathered around -a table of seven hundred covers all the political -celebrities of Europe; it was at the Razumowski Palace -that, but three weeks previously, he had so fitly celebrated -the birthday of his sister, the Grand-Duchess -of Oldenburg. Such, in short, were the splendour -and charm of this magnificent palace that Empress -Elizabeth had, it was said, seriously thought of renting -it during the spring as her private residence.</p> - -<p>For many, many years Razumowski had made a<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_258">258</a></span> -point of embellishing the place with every art-treasure -that wealth could buy. The rooms themselves were -decorated with as much taste as sumptuousness. -Side by side with galleries containing masterpieces -of pictorial and statuary art, there was a library, -perhaps matchless anywhere, inasmuch as the rarest -manuscripts and books were collected there. In -short, the building was a unique specimen of Asiatic -magnificence, carefully toned down by European -taste.</p> - -<p>In the costly ornamentation of that palace, Razumowski -had spent a considerable part of his fortune: -it was even said that his fortune had been impaired -by it. That wealth, which was enormous, came to -him from his father, Cyril Razumowski, the field-marshal, -and the brother of that famous Alexis who -was the favourite and subsequently the husband of -Empress Elizabeth, who secretly married him at -Perowo, near Moscow. The vagaries of luck, which -has played so important a part in the history of -Russia, were for Cyril what they were for the brother -of Catherine <span class="smcap smaller">I.</span> When the erewhile chorister-lad -of the imperial chapel, Alexis Razumowski, had -sprouted into the lover and minister of Empress -Elizabeth, it all at once recurred to him that he had -a brother. Alexis decided upon having him sent -for, in order to give him a share of some of the good -things that had come to himself. The brother herded -flocks somewhere in Little Russia, and had no presentiment -of the marvellous destiny in store for -him. On the contrary, he was inclined to look -upon the imperial emissaries who had come in search -of him as so many recruiting-sergeants bent on -converting him into a soldier. In his opinion, the -wallet in which he carried his bread while tending -his flock was a thousand times preferable to the -grenadier’s knapsack; hence, at the approach of -the men in quest of him, he escaped, and hid himself -in the woods. As a matter of course, they were<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_259">259</a></span> -on his track in a few days, and after a most obstinate -resistance, he was bound and laden with fetters, and -in that condition he made his first appearance at the -Imperial Palace, whence he issued very soon, laden -with wealth and favours, a field-marshal, and invested -with the restored commandership of the Cossacks, -a rank abolished by Peter the Great in consequence -of the Mazeppa conspiracy. In addition to the most -extensive powers, the latter office conferred upon him -the right of levying tithes upon all the revenues of -the provinces of his government; and this naturally -became the source of one of the most enormous -fortunes of Europe.</p> - -<p>Exceedingly tactful and devoid of prejudice, Cyril -Razumowski succeeded in maintaining himself in his -great position during the reign of Catherine <span class="smcap smaller">II.</span>, to -whose elevation he was supposed to have contributed -in no mean degree. The pomp and splendour with -which he surrounded himself, as well as his personal -kindness of heart, seemed to have rendered him fully -worthy of such unprecedented favours. Many traits -are recorded of him proving his generosity as well as -his nobleness of character. He had a steward, who -for many years had managed his affairs, and who had -acquired great influence over him. A poor gentleman -of Little Russia, a neighbour of the marshal, -was at loggerheads with the business man about some -land, which, though of little or no importance to the -wealthy Court dignitary, practically constituted the -whole of the other’s patrimony. The steward insisted -upon the surrender of the property. The gentleman -was thoroughly aware of Razumowski’s inherent sense -of right and justice, and, instead of trusting his all -to the chances of a lawsuit—always uncertain in -Russia, and notably where one’s opponent happens to -be very powerful—he made up his mind to go and -find the marshal at St. Petersburg, and to plead his -cause with him. The steward, having got wind of the -affair, is beforehand, and on his arrival in the capital<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_260">260</a></span> -stigmatises the claim of the gentleman as an utterly -unfounded pretension, and extracts from his master a -promise to yield neither to solicitations nor prayers, -but to remain firm. A short time afterwards the -poor gentleman arrives upon the scene and explains -his case, and succeeds in convincing the marshal so -completely of the justice of his claim as thoroughly -to move him. The picture of the other’s total ruin -is by no means to his taste; the promise to his -steward is forgotten, and without saying a syllable -he leaves the room for a small one adjoining it, -and there in a few lines he draws up a document -granting the contested land to his adversary. At the -sight of the paper, the latter drops on his knees, where -the steward, entering at the same moment by another -door, finds him. ‘You see,’ said Razumowski smiling, -‘where I have brought him to.’ The scene is worthy -to figure by the side of that of Sully and Henri <span class="smcap smaller">IV.</span> at -Fontainebleau, when the king said to his friend the -minister, ‘Rise, Rosny, these people might imagine -that I was granting you a pardon for something.’</p> - -<p>André Razumowski, his son, who had only received -his princely title some short time before from Alexander -as a reward for important services, had inherited -several of those qualities which seem such dignified -accompaniments to great wealth. He also had a remarkable -and enlightened taste for art. The genuine -type of the grand seigneur, he was at the same time -wholly familiar with the less redundant graces of -diplomatic courtesy. Most expensive in his taste -and grandiose in his projects, he noticed one day that -he might shorten the distance separating him from -the Prater, and had a bridge thrown over an arm of -the Danube. As the ambassador to the Austrian -Court, he was on the most confidential footing with -Prince de Metternich, the presiding spirit; and more -than once, Razumowski, by his cleverness, had dissipated -the clouds gathering over the discussions of the -Congress.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_261">261</a></span> -The fire had meanwhile been got under, but that -part of the palace looking out upon the gardens was -irrevocably gone. Among the crowd of lookers-on, I -noticed the Prince Koslowski. After the death of the -Prince de Ligne, an instinctive feeling of friendship, -and perhaps sympathy also, seemed to draw me nearer -to that other friend. If, in the case of the old -marshal, I had admired the treasures of experience -and reason and that subtle and delicate appreciation -of society, in the case of the Russian prince I found -a loftiness of views, an entire independence of -judgment and expression about men and political -events, too rare, perhaps, among diplomatists. His -sprightly conversation bound many people to him, -while at the same time his frankness commanded -affection.</p> - -<p>‘This,’ he said, when I got up to him, ‘is a chapter -to add to the vicissitudes of courtly favour and disgrace -in Russia. Razumowski may consider himself -fortunate to be quits at the cost of a palace half burnt -down. He also has known the ups and downs of -favour and disgrace; he also has known the sweets of -power and the bitterness of exile. The history of my -country could indeed be made into a most philosophical -novel; it would, above all, provide a series -of excellent moral lectures on the danger of vainglory -and the frequency of revolutions. The last century -has offered any number of examples. There is Menschikoff, -a pastry cook’s lad, who becomes a prince and a -general, and is suddenly exiled, dying a couple of years -after, without individually recovering his position. -Biren, a servant, is raised to sovereign rank, and is -practically master of the empire for nine years, until -the day that Münnich, his rival, claps the fetters on -him in the presence of his own guards, petrified with -fear. Biren, however, regains favour, while Münnich -himself expiates his sudden rise with twenty years’ -banishment to Siberia. Surgeon Lestocq, after having -overthrown the Regent Anne, practically puts the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_262">262</a></span> -crown on Elizabeth’s head, and remains one of her -principal advisers during her reign. He is, nevertheless, -flung into prison, then set free, and finally -almost entirely forgotten. The Princesse Daschkoff, -the supposed soul of the plot that dragged -Peter <span class="smcap smaller">III.</span> from his throne to place his wife there, is -soon misjudged by her whose plans she imprudently -boasted to have inspired, and to whose grandeur she -professed to have contributed. Finally, the plotters -who took Paul <span class="smcap smaller">I.</span>‘s life and crown are treated with -the utmost harshness by him who owes his present -power to them.</p> - -<p>‘Well,’ he went on, after we had left the scene of the -fire, ‘the elevations are often as strange in their causes -as the catastrophes are terrible in their effects. Judge -for yourself. In consequence of my relationship to -Prince Kourakine, I began my career in the secretarial -department of the great chancellor Romanzoff. One -day the latter was dictating an important despatch -to me. I do not know how I managed it, but in my -hurry, instead of emptying the pounce over the -document, I emptied the inkstand over the beautiful -white kerseymeres of the chief. That inkpot, so -indiscriminately emptied, decided my fate. Romanzoff, -as you may imagine, did not care to keep near him -a secretary with such a distinct tendency to spoil -his clothes, so he gave him a position as a state-councillor, -where there was a good deal to control, -but little to write. But for this trifling circumstance, -I’d probably be vegetating now among the -subalterns.’</p> - -<p>Few men combined like the Prince Koslowski the -liking for work, and the intelligent appreciation of -it, joined to a remarkable and fiery eloquence. His -learning was very varied and extensive, his memory -most admirable. History had no secrets for him; he -had mastered all the diplomatic transactions which -for many centuries had regulated the fate of Europe. -His manner of judging men was that of a philosophic<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_263">263</a></span> -statesman. All the political questions so often -twisted out of their natural shape by private interest -he regarded in the light of a friend of humanity. A -staunch partisan of all progress, he was fond of -telling how he, like another illustrious personage -already mentioned, had received equally deserved -chastisement at the hands of an Austrian postillion. -While travelling, when very young, on the frontiers of -Prussia, he had struck the driver, whose horses did -not keep pace with the traveller’s impatience. The -driver vigorously applied his whip to the back of the -’prentice diplomatist. ‘Well, it was that Austrian -who gave me my first lesson in liberalism,’ said the -prince, laughing, a decade later.</p> - -<p>Koslowski quickly climbed the first rungs of the -diplomatic ladder. Minister-plenipotentiary to the -King of Sardinia, he had the good fortune to save -the lives of several shipwrecked Frenchmen who had -been made prisoners. Napoleon immediately sent -the Legion of Honour to the representative of a -sovereign with whom at that very moment he -happened to be at war. The reward redounded as -much to the honour of the Russian ambassador as to -that of the French Emperor. It was at Cagliari, about -the same period, that the Prince Koslowski became acquainted -with the Duc d’Orléans, afterwards the King -of the French. A similar love of knowledge, a similar -desire for fathoming most things, drew these two -together. Both had spent their earlier years in -serious and assiduous studies. The chequered and -adventurous life of the French prince had strengthened -the studies with the experience derived from -misfortune. These two took long walks by the sea-shore, -and passed in review the gigantic events of -which practically they were the eye-witnesses. Sometimes -they read Shakespeare, whose language and -whose beauties were equally familiar to them; and -those readings were rarely interrupted except by the -cries of admiration of the Russian diplomatist or<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_264">264</a></span> -the subtle and learned comments of the French -exile.</p> - -<p>Very often during the Congress I heard Koslowski -refer to the particulars of that familiar intercourse, -of which, despite the difference in their years—for -that difference consisted of a decade—he cherished -a lively recollection. ‘The learning of the Duc -d’Orléans surprises and confounds me; on no matter -what subject, whether it be a scientific, an historical, -or a politico-economical one, he not only holds his -own with me, but beats me. What, however, I -admire most in him is his courage in misfortune, -and his profound knowledge of men. He sees them -as they are; nevertheless, he judges them without -the slightest bitterness. Proscribed from his country, -he constantly has his eyes turned towards it, and -has steadfastly refused to join those who would reconquer -it by force of arms. The saying: “They -have learnt nothing; they have forgotten nothing,” -does not apply to him. Both as a man and as a -prince, he belongs to his time.’</p> - -<p>The Comtesse Zichy gave a grand ball, which was -to be honoured by the presence of the sovereigns. -The sole topic of conversation in the capital was the -fire of the previous night, which had robbed the city -of one of its handsomest ornaments. The damage, -estimated at several millions, was absolutely irreparable -from the point of view of art. But oblivion -came quickly in those days, and by evening -the excitement had largely subsided, and the courtiers’ -greatest interest seemed to be the study of the -sovereigns’ faces, inasmuch as the rumour ran that the -most important questions had been settled, that the -sweetest accord reigned between those rulers of -the world, and that the opening of the new year -would be signalised by the proclamation of some -great decisions and the declaration of a general -peace.</p> - -<p>Among the crowd of notabilities grouped around the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_265">265</a></span> -celebrities, such as M. de Metternich and the Field-Marshal -Prince de Schwartzenberg, was the young -Prince C—— de F——, the son of a king, the -brother of a king to-be, yet who, nevertheless, -was as simple and unaffected as he was handsome -and clever. A circumstance most trifling in appearance -had made him for the last few days the subject -of all comments and the object of all observation. In -the shape of a floral decoration, he wore simply a -daisy in his buttonhole and nothing else. Of course, -renewed each day, the modest village flower was a -proof of careful search at a season when the snow-covered -fields had none to offer to the rustic swain. -No doubt some tender recollection, some thought -proceeding direct from the heart, was hidden under -this humble emblem. It was one of the many love-stories -enacted while the Congress was supposed to -be unravelling the tangled skein of Europe’s diplomacy. -The air of Vienna seemed positively teeming with -them, and their secrets were not difficult to read. -The latest was no exception to the others. It was -soon known that the modest flower of the field reminded -the young prince of a cherished name, that -of the Comtesse de ——. One day these two were -strolling through the imperial hot-houses, and, love -being superstitious, they hit upon the idea of consulting -the future with regard to the duration and the -depth of a feeling constituting their happiness. The -comtesse plucked a daisy, interrogated it according -to usage, and the last petal brings the ardently -wished-for word ‘passionately.’ Naturally the word -is welcomed by a mutual smile, there is an exchange -of significant glances—of those glances that say as -plainly as words, ‘You’re understood.’ The prince -plucks another flower and fastens it into his buttonhole. -The matter, however, did not end there; the -oracle had been believed; heaven had received the -pledges, while the head-gardener at Schönbrunn had -received something more substantial in the shape of a<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_266">266</a></span> -hundred florins for the fortunate pot of daisies. A -flower placed each morning near his heart reminded -the lover of a pledge which, as a rule, is kept more -faithfully in cottages than in Courts.</p> - -<p>The band had struck up the usual polonaise, and -Alexander, as was his habit, marched at the head of -the line of dancers. His partner was the Comtesse -de Paar, as distinguished by the graces of her person -as by the accomplishments of her mind. Midnight -struck and the new year had commenced. In Austria, -as is well known, the delightful custom of our fathers -of celebrating the first hour of January amidst mutual -good wishes had been piously preserved. At the sound -of the clock, the comtesse stopped, and, turning -towards the emperor, said, ‘I am very happy, sire, to -be the first to offer such a great sovereign the good -wishes for the new year. Allow me also to be with -your majesty the spokeswoman of all Europe for the -maintenance of the peace and the union of peoples.’</p> - -<p>Such wishes, expressed by such lips, could not fail -to meet with an enthusiastic welcome. Alexander, -then, accepted with much grace both the compliment -and the request. He replied that all his hopes, and all -his wishes tended in the direction of that much -desired aim, and that no sacrifice would be considered -too great by him to consolidate a peace which was -the first need of humanity.</p> - -<p>The guests had formed themselves into a large -circle, and at the last words of the imperial reply, -there were slight feminine cheers from all parts; a -kind of ovation which did not seem to displease -Alexander. For to some of the great qualities of the -Grand Louis, he made it his constant study to add -nobleness of manner and ever-watchful courtesy to -the fair sex. The interlude being over, the orchestra -took up the interrupted strain, and the polonaise was -concluded amidst joyous murmurs and mild applause.</p> - -<p>It was thus that commenced under the most -happy auspices that year 1815 which a few months<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_267">267</a></span> -later was to witness a struggle more relentless than -ever, terminating in the catastrophe of Waterloo. -From early morn, and in spite of the biting cold, a -considerable crowd had gathered on the Graben and -on other public places. Every one seemed to be -waiting for the announcement of that general peace, of -that general reconciliation, which, according to certain -newsmongers, was to mark the advent of the new -year. People kept interrogating each other with an -anxiety mixed with a constantly growing incredulity. -All that could be gathered was the decision of the -Austrian Court, which had suppressed the customary -official receptions in order to save its guests the -worry of new year’s compliments and the embarrassment -of mendacious gratulations. As for the decisions -of the Congress, they continued to be enveloped -in as much secrecy as ever, and people remained -free to pursue the daily comment on the dissensions -of the Powers and the lukewarmness they were likely -to impart to the fêtes announced for the month of -January.</p> - -<p>A great number of carriages traversed the city in -all directions, and that of Lord Stewart, the English -ambassador, eclipsed all the others in virtue of its -elegance and its appointments. At an early hour -Empress Marie-Louise had come from Schönbrunn to -offer her good wishes to her august father. Standing -aloof from everything that happened at Vienna, she -never attended any entertainment, Court fête, or public -ceremony. Nevertheless, the greatest deference was -shown her everywhere. During the first months -after her arrival at Schönbrunn, she had kept the -imperial arms of France on the panels of her carriage, -on the scutcheons of her harness, and on the buttons -of her liveries. On the occasion of a famous visit to -her father, some people in the street had loudly expressed -themselves on what they chose to regard -as a blunder in the matter of etiquette. Marie-Louise -had heard the words, and from that day she had been<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_268">268</a></span> -careful to efface the last traces of her presence on the -throne of France; and when we caught a glimpse of -the conveyance we noticed a new monogram instead -of the Napoleonic one, and a livery not only brand-new, -but altogether different in colour from the old.</p> - -<p>Nevertheless, in spite of the unfavourable predictions -current on the Graben with regard to the turn -of the discussions of the Congress, the Imperial Palace -from nine that evening was scarcely able to hold the -enormous crowd seeking admittance. The sovereigns, -the political and diplomatic notabilities, had forgathered -in what was called the Hall of the Ceremonies, -where the Austrian Court was giving a state -ball. Not far from there the big hall usually set -apart for the large routs was filled with masks and -dominos. Griffiths and I had repaired thither. It -presented, as always, the most animated picture of all, -and only one purpose seemed paramount, the pursuit -of pleasure. After a few turns Griffiths and I left, -surprised at such a total absence of care so rapidly -succeeding and ousting most important preoccupations.</p> - -<p>One of the most curious gatherings of the Congress -and of Vienna was no doubt the ‘pic-nic dinner’ to -which Admiral Sidney Smith invited the sovereigns -and the political and other celebrities then within the -walls of the capital. The idea of bringing together -so many eminent personages, and of making each -pay his share of the entertainment, could not fail to -please them by its very sincerity amidst the constant -gaiety which was gratuitously offered to them. -Consequently, a great many had responded to the -appeal.</p> - -<p>Sir Sidney Smith had not been attracted to the -Congress from simple motives of curiosity. His aim -was political as well as philanthropic. And though -not invested with any official mission, he had created -for himself as many occupations as had the representative -of the most influential Power. His projects in no<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_269">269</a></span> -way belied his adventurous life, the episodes of which -savoured as much of a novel as of history.</p> - -<p>A sailor from his boyhood, and without occupation -after the American War, he passed into the service of -Sweden, In consequence of the glorious naval engagement -of 1791, he got the Grand Cross of the -Order of the Sword, and shortly afterwards he offered -his services to Turkey. Recalled after a few months -by a proclamation of the King of England, he found -himself, together with Lord Hood, at the siege of -Toulon. In the course of 1796, while lying before -Havre, he boarded a French corsair, which only a -dead calm prevented him from taking in his wake. -A sailor having secretly cut the cable of the craft, -manned by English sailors in replacement of the -French, the rising tide drove it into the Seine, where -it was attacked by superior forces and was obliged to -surrender. Taken to Paris, Smith was at first confined -in the prison of l’Abbaye, then in that of the -Temple. It was from the latter that his friends, -by means of a forged order of the minister of the -police, managed to effect his escape, a circumstance -apparently very simple in itself, but which later on, -under the walls of St. Jean d’Acre, contributed to -frustrate most gigantic projects, and perhaps effectually -prevented the revolution of the East. After -that it becomes rather difficult to assign great causes -to great events.</p> - -<p>On his return to England, Sidney Smith got the -command of the <i>Tiger</i>, four-and-twenty guns, and -was instructed to watch the coast of Egypt. After -having bombarded Alexandria, he set sail for Syria, -where his presence and his advice induced the pasha -to defend St. Jean d’Acre. It was owing to his aid -and obstinate resistance that the siege had to be raised. -It was on that occasion that he was presented by the -sultan with an aigrette of great price, and received -from Napoleon the not less flattering remark: ‘This -devil of a Sidney Smith has made me miss my fortune.’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_270">270</a></span> -On his return to London he received the freedom -of the City, in addition to a magnificent sword of -honour. Elected to the Commons, he kept his seat -up to the Peace of Amiens, when he obtained a new -command, and in 1805 took Capri after a siege of a -few hours. When, in 1807, Napoleon had deposed the -House of Braganza, he took the Prince Regent of -Portugal and his family to the Brazils. Since then -he had remained inactive, though, as may be easily -imagined, inactivity did not suit his temperament. -The Congress of Vienna offered him a magnificent -opportunity for displaying his mental energy, and, -as a consequence, he was one of the first to arrive. -He represented himself as being vested with full -powers by the former King of Sweden, Gustavus <span class="smcap smaller">IV.</span>, -who, under the title of the Duc de Holstein, had entrusted -him with a claim relative to the throne he had -lost. That very honourable mission had been bestowed -upon him in virtue of his being a former -Swedish naval officer and a knight of the ‘Order of -the Sword.’</p> - -<p>At the very opening of the conferences, Sir Sidney -Smith had submitted to the supreme tribunal of -Europe the declaration of his august client. The -moment seemed well chosen. Justice, reparation, -legitimacy, were religiously invoked watchwords in -Vienna. In appealing to the conscience of sovereigns, -the deposed monarch brought their own arguments -to bear upon them. In his note, Gustavus-Adolphus -reminded them that he had been deposed -only by the influence of Napoleon, with whom he -had declined all relationship, especially since the death -of the Duc d’Enghien. He furthermore pointed out -that the Swedish nation, in excluding him from the -throne, had only yielded to a political necessity and -to the threats of the great Powers; that at the -moment of his abdication he was a prisoner; that -since then he had always refused to renounce the rights -of his son; that he felt confident of this prince,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_271">271</a></span> -when he arrived at his majority, proving himself -worthy of his birth, of the Swedish nation, and of his -illustrious forefathers; and that, finally, he did not -claim the throne on his own account.</p> - -<p>In politics, however, the most logical arguments are -not always the most valid ones. The days and months -went by without there being the slightest question of -restoring his sceptre to the deposed monarch. Practically -sent away without having produced the least -impression as far as his embassy was concerned, -Sidney Smith was, however, not at all discouraged. -‘If, contrary to all possibility, I fail with this august -tribunal,’ he said, ‘I’ll bring it without the slightest -fear before the tribunal of my own country. As long -as we have a Parliament in England, there will be a -court of justice for the whole of Europe. I’ll ask -why a legitimate king comes to be deprived of his -rights; I’ll ask to know the reason of the most relentless -enemy of Bonaparte falling a victim to his -intrigues; of the abandoning to misfortune of the man -who was the first to attack the Colossus with all the -ardour of a knight of olden times. Do not people -know that Napoleon never forgave Gustavus for -having reproached him with the murder of the Duc -d’Enghien, and for having sent back to the King of -Prussia the Order of the Black Eagle, which he, -Gustavus, declined to wear in common with Bonaparte?</p> - -<p>‘If it be objected that Gustavus signed his abdication, -I’ll answer that he was not a free man, that a -father cannot sign away the rights of his son, that a -sovereign cannot depose his dynasty. Ought not -this descendant of the great Gustavus, of Charles -<span class="smcap smaller">XII.</span>, to inspire in this spot the interest inseparable -from such magnificent memories? When on every -side the principles of equity are loudly evoked, will -they dare by the strangest contradiction to reject the -most sacred, those of an inheritance founded on glory -and hallowed by ages? In fine, if history is henceforth<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_272">272</a></span> -to be the sole judge of arbitrary acts, it is to -history that Gustavus-Adolphus shall appeal. Posterity, -more equitable than this Congress of kings, -shall say of the prince that if certain brilliant peculiarities -made him, perhaps, an object of envy and -enmity, it is very rarely that vice does not avenge -itself upon a brilliant destiny with calumny. As for -myself,’ added the admiral, ‘a constant courtier to -fallen grandeur, I shall remain true to my affections -and to my principles, and defend until the end -the rights of legitimacy and evil fortune.’</p> - -<p>In vain they told him that the interest of the -nations themselves, the pledges given, and the need -for peace, had also to be considered; that Europe -could not annul solemn acts, and perhaps least of all -those secret treaties that assured to Bernadotte and -his dynasty the peaceful possession of the throne of -Sweden; that Europe would never reward the -eminent services he had rendered to the common -cause by a spoliation; that Europe would not expel -him from the prominent place of honour to which the -general wish of the Swedes had lifted him in order -to impose upon them the monarch they had rejected; -that the sad position of Gustavus-Adolphus rendered -it imperative in him to bear his misfortunes with -dignity; and that, finally, when a monarch is deposed, -he could only arouse compassion by avoiding to draw -attention to his case. In spite of the indifference of -the Congress and of the public, Sidney Smith, nevertheless, -did not leave a stone unturned in favour of -a cause henceforth lost.</p> - -<p>The negotiations with regard to his pic-nic dinner -had met with fewer obstacles. In Vienna, it was -easier to organise a pleasure-party than to obtain the -restitution of a throne in an assembly which had -seemingly taken it as a principle to despoil the feeble -in favour of the strong. The aim of this general -convocation was a subscription, at the head of which -the admiral had placed his name. The proceeds, it<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_273">273</a></span> -was said, were to be devoted to the purchase of an -immense silver lamp for the Holy Sepulchre at Jerusalem. -But it was also soon known that the sums -Sidney Smith hoped to collect would be used for the -repurchase of the Christians kept prisoners in Barbary. -He had already proposed to the Congress a naval -expedition for the purpose of annihilating those Barbary -powers, of putting an end to their brigandage, -and of destroying the disgraceful white-slave traffic in -Africa for ever. Naturally, he was to take the command -of this anti-piratic army. The Congress had, -however, other things to think about than the organisation -of a crusade, and this new Peter the Hermit -had fain to be content with the simpler means of redeeming -the slaves with the gold taken from the -purses of the votaries of pleasure. Transplanting -English usages into Austria, a dinner seemed to him -the suitable bond for this humanitarian work.</p> - -<p>A great number of tickets were sold and the day -was fixed. The Augarten, eminently suited for such -a function, had been chosen. Yan, the <i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">restaurateur -par excellence</i>, had undertaken all the culinary details -of that philanthropic gala fête. The price of the -tickets had been fixed at three Dutch ducats, that for -the ball to follow at ten florins. The dinner was to -be on the table at five o’clock in the beautiful hall so -often used by Maria-Theresa and Joseph <span class="smcap smaller">II.</span> The -table itself was in the shape of an elongated horse-shoe; -the walls of the apartments had practically -disappeared under the standards of all nations. An -orchestra had been erected at each end. The sovereigns -had not only approved, but approved with great -alacrity. The grand personages of the Congress, -ministers, generals, and ambassadors, had been equally -eager to contribute their ducats. Among the hundred -and fifty guests there were as many highnesses as -semi-sovereigns, great captains, and illustrious statesmen. -Trumpeters on horseback, posted at intervals, -announced the monarchs’ arrival by loud blasts.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_274">274</a></span> -Those ‘glorious entrances’ as they are practised on -the English stage proved that the admiral had not -forgotten the theatre of Shakespeare.</p> - -<p>Yan had done his best, and though that best was -good, and Bohemia, Hungary, and the Hereditary -States had provided their most delicate edibles, a -dinner at the Court would no doubt have been more -perfect in every respect. It was, however, a tavern -repast, where every one paid his own share; and that -novelty had seemed so strange to the crowned heads, -or to the heads fated to wear a crown, that no one -was absent. It was, indeed, a strange and curious -spectacle.</p> - -<p>Every one remembers the banquet where Voltaire -made Candide dine with seven deposed kings at -Venice. Since then, no one had ever seen so many -forgathered in a tavern or restaurant. If the number -of those who sat down at the Augarten was not -absolutely the same, at least they were not deposed, -but crowned in real earnest, and very resplendent. -The inverse comparison, in fact, presented itself to -everybody’s mind. Involuntarily also, the mind reverted -to some of those functions where the kings -pressed around Napoleon the victorious; a few spoke -about it, but in nothing louder than a whisper.</p> - -<p>During the first part of the repast, the music played -the national airs of the different countries. At the -second course, the admiral, like the good Englishman -he was, and faithful to the traditions of his country, -got on his legs, and spared neither the toasts nor -the speeches. The subject of his own was, naturally, -in connection with the object of the gathering; and -though it dragged, no member of the ‘Order of -Mercy’ could have preached with greater unction the -redemption of the slaves. The result of his eloquence -was calculated to flatter him, for it amounted to -several thousands of ducats. The emperors had each -subscribed a thousand, and the others according to -their fortunes or their philanthropy.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_275">275</a></span> -Sidney Smith had concluded his speech, the dishes -had run their course, the wines of Hungary, the -Rhine, and Italy had been tasted, sipped, and lauded, -according to their merit, and we were about to rise -from the table, when suddenly there appeared the -manager of Yan, who, between two symphonies of -Haydn, claims of each of the guests the sum of three -golden ducats, the price fixed for the banquet, the -music, and the lights, the total amounting to about -five thousand four hundred francs.</p> - -<p>Some months later, I happened to be in London at -the dinner offered to the sovereigns by the City. The -number of guests, truth to tell, was somewhat more considerable; -the ball may also have been somewhat more -numerously attended. The expense, though the fête -was in nearly every respect similar, came to twenty -thousand pounds. A different spot, a different total.</p> - -<p>A trivial circumstance which lent some gaiety to -the banquet in the Augarten was entirely lacking in -London. It was an episode which, in itself, was -worth a whole book, and recalls that so facetiously -told by Voltaire. Not that it deals with a king -tracked by bailiffs like the poor, ill-fated Theodore of -Corsica, but with that most charming and most delightful -of reigning kings, Maximilian Joseph of -Bavaria.</p> - -<p>Yan’s manager had begun his collection, and had -put the money of the Emperor Alexander and the -King of Denmark in the silver dish he was carrying. -When he got to his Bavarian majesty, Boniface’s -representative boldly presented the dish, already ornamented -with the six ducats in question. The excellent -Maximilian carried his hand to one waistcoat -pocket, then to the other, then to the pocket of his coat. -The search is absolutely fruitless—pockets, fobs, receptacles -are as completely empty of money as in the -days when joyous Prince Max failed to find any -money-lender in Paris to line those pockets with gold. -It is more than probable that this king, this very<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_276">276</a></span> -model king, had emptied the contents of his purse -into some hand stretched out to him, as invariably -happened at Munich, where some unhappy wretches -always posted themselves on his route. At any rate, -a second examination of the pockets brought the unalterable -conviction that his majesty of Bavaria had -not a red cent upon him.</p> - -<p>Rather embarrassed by the situation, the king began -to scan the whole length of the board, and caught -sight of his chamberlain, the Comte Charles de Rechberg, -at the very end of it. He felt sure that his embarrassment -was at an end. Rechberg, who was there -on his own account and for his own money, had not the -remotest intention of attending upon his royal master -in this kind of ‘Liberty Hall,’ and was, moreover, -deeply engaged in conversation with M. de Humboldt. -Rechberg had just published an important book upon -Russia, which publication, he fain hoped, would give -him a foremost rank among distinguished <i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">littérateurs</i>, -and, naturally, he was talking enthusiastically about -it to the great savant. Consequently, he did not -see the signals of distress from his sovereign, and -equally, as a matter of course, failed to answer them. -The head-waiter, meanwhile, did not budge, holding -out the silver dish for the money due to him. The -king kept one eye on the collector, the other on Rechberg, -and his confusion gradually became such as to -attract the notice of those around him. In a little -while a kind of titter was running round the table -like an electric spark. To give the scene a somewhat -complete likeness to the royal banquet at Venice, it -only wanted a few bailiff’s officers at the door, watching -King Theodore. How King Maximilian would -have got out of his quandary without the help of -his neighbours, it would be difficult to say, for the -stolid head-waiter refused to budge. A far better -money-collector than courtier, he kept jingling his -money against the dish, till Prince Eugène, who -had been the last to get an inkling of the situation,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_277">277</a></span> -was about to satisfy his claim. He was, however, -forestalled by Alexander, who, recalling the inexorable -creditor, about to move at a sign from the prince, -emptied his purse into the dish, shaking, meanwhile, -with uncontrollable laughter, in which the others -joined. Good King Maximilian continued to look -confused for a few moments, but, finally, was as -amused as the others at an episode which perhaps -reminded him of his youth.</p> - -<p>At the conclusion of the dinner, and the subscriptions -having been settled, we passed into the ball-room. -It was a real pell-mell, less animated than a rout, less -solemn than a Court ball, but infinitely more curious -to the ordinary observer. There were few ladies of -high degree; they were already satiated with fêtes; -on the other hand, there were a great many dames of -the bourgeoisie who counted upon nothing less than a -highness or an ambassador for a minuet or a waltz. -Unfortunately, nearly all had spoilt their fresh and -charming looks by ornaments the reverse of tasteful. -Though, unquestionably, bought at a high price, these -ornaments suited their charming figures far less than -the classic golden cap of Phrygian shape. The -sovereigns retired almost immediately after the ball -opened, and the most illustrious guests followed -their example very shortly. As a consequence, the -young bourgeoises waited in vain for the hoped-for -aristocratic partners, and they had to be content -with the new arrivals in that capacity. They did -not seem to mind it, for they had the full value of -their ticket: daylight was streaming in before they -made up their minds to leave. The whole expense of -the dinner and ball combined was reported not to have -exceeded fifteen thousand florins. Eight months later, -the fête given by the London merchants to the sovereigns, -to which I have already referred, cost twenty -thousand pounds. And yet people complained about -the excessive dearness of everything in Vienna! What -would it have been if the Congress had been held in<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_278">278</a></span> -London? This was the fête which enabled Sidney -Smith to make a long speech and to add to his titles, -already more or less showy, that of President of the -Noble Knights. In reality, it was a pity to see a man -with real claims to distinction constantly seeking opportunities -of no value as far as he was concerned and -often altogether insignificant.<a id="FNanchor_97" href="#Footnote_97" class="fnanchor">97</a> It was said that, as -an auxiliary to the pursuit of his humanitarian object, -he had solicited and obtained a brief from the Pope -authorising him to found a society for the purpose of -abolishing slavery for evermore. What was something -more practical was the aid of the Powers and -their money. All the sovereigns had promptly proclaimed -their adhesion to these philanthropic projects -by their subscriptions and their presence at his picnic; -all but two, the Emperor Francis and the King -of Würtemberg. The first, confined to his room by a -somewhat serious indisposition, had sent a donation -of a thousand ducats; the second had, two days previously, -left Vienna, and his abrupt departure formed -the subject of every conversation.</p> - -<p>Naturally imperious and irascible, the very corpulent -King Frederick chafed and fretted against the -slowness of the diplomatic discussions. In the state-gatherings, -he always seemed to be grumbling or -devoured with care. He was not the only one, for it -was generally felt that the ordinary passions were -pursuing their course under all those floral ornaments -and decorations. There came an opportunity, however, -for his impetuous character to show itself in -all its violence. Among the many conflicting claims -submitted to the Congress, the landed nobility of -Germany herself had deemed it advisable to join the -petitioners, and it had sent its deputies entrusted with -the claim for recovering its ancient position and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_279">279</a></span> -rights. During a conference attended by his majesty -of Würtemberg, that claim was discussed, and there -was also a good deal of desultory talk about the -restoration of the Holy Roman Empire. The king -was scarcely able to contain himself, and when it -became a question of measures that might restrict the -prerogatives of sovereigns, he rose in great anger. -Before him there was a table which, unlike the boards -at the imperial banquets, had not been scooped out -to accommodate his majesty’s enormous corpulence. -In his sudden movement the abdominal prominence -of the king lifted the table off its legs and it fell -with a crash. The mishap naturally aggravated the -temper of the king, who quickly regained his own -apartments, and in the evening left the capital of -Austria, after having strenuously recommended his -plenipotentiaries systematically to reject every demand -on the part of the nobles. As for his son Wilhelm, -he remained much more concerned with the handsome -eyes of the Grande-Duchesse d’Oldenbourg than -with the questions of the Congress.</p> - -<p>This overbearing character the King of Würtemberg -showed just as much in his relations with his -family as in the exercise of his royal power. There -was an instance of it when he forced his son into -a marriage against his will. He acted in a similar -manner with regard to his daughter when he made -her marry Jérôme, King of Westphalia, the brother -of Napoleon. No sooner had the latter fallen than -Frederick wished the marriage to be dissolved. -Attached by a sincere affection to her husband, and at -any rate to her child, the Queen of Westphalia opposed -a stubborn refusal to her father’s demands. ‘United -by bonds due to politics,’ she wrote to him, ‘I am not -going to recount the happiness of seven years; but -if he had been the worst of husbands, you, my dear -father, by consulting the real principles of honour, -could only command me not to leave him now that -misfortune has overtaken him, and considering that<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_280">280</a></span> -this misfortune is not of his own making. My first -idea, my first impulse, was to go and fling myself -into your arms, but accompanied by him, the father -of my child. Where, in fact, would be my tranquillity -if I did not share it now with him to whom are -due more than ever all my powers of consolation?’ -In another letter, she expressed herself as follows: -‘Though I married for political reasons, it seemed -ordained that I should become the happiest woman -in existence. I bear my husband three feelings -combined, love, tenderness, and esteem. A time -will come, I trust, when you will be convinced of -having judged him wrongly; and when that time -arrives you shall find in him and in me the most -respectful and affectionate children.’ Such a noble -resistance ended by disarming the father, whose -children had both been forced by him into unions -which were in the end to prove happy in the case of -his daughter, the reverse in the case of his son.</p> - -<p>This departure of the King of Würtemberg put an -end to all the hopes of the German noblesse. A few -days afterwards, the deputies, tired of being deluded -with promises that had no prospect of realisation, did -not wait until they were positively bowed out, but left -the Austrian capital of their own accord. As a matter -of course, the epigrams which generally accompany -failure were not spared to them; their going was -attributed to their exhausted finances, and the next -morning they were forgotten.</p> - -<p>People were merely talking about a new entertainment, -namely, a sleighing party. The snow, which -lay thick, and the sharp frost, which seemed to have -set in for good during the last few days, favoured that -kind of amusement, borrowed from the stern climate -of St. Petersburg and Moscow. The Austrian Court -made immense preparations, and the magnificence to -be displayed was to rival that of the imperial -<i>carrousel</i>.</p> - -<div id="ip_280" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 29.5em;"> - <img src="images/i_280.jpg" width="472" height="600" alt="" /> - <div class="caption"><span class="smcap">Robert Lord Viscount Castlereagh, Marquess of Londonderry.</span></div></div> - -<p>Pending those preparations, the fêtes and amusements<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_281">281</a></span> -announced for the month of January suffered no -interruption. The fêtes which, on account of the serious -turns of the discussions, were to languish, seemed, on -the contrary, to be more brilliant than ever. At that -period Lord Castlereagh gave a great gala-ball. At -Vienna, all the entertainments bore their particular -stamp. Generally the private balls given by the -illustrious diplomatic personages, though apparently -modelled on the same pattern, were dissimilar in -their general physiognomy or in their minute details. -One might have called Lord Castlereagh’s a ‘vanity -ball,’ for if on the one hand it was very sumptuous, -on the other it was serious, like pride itself, and cold, -like overweening pretension. Yes, one really felt -inclined to say that the pride and the pretension -which Lady Castlereagh had displayed in attaching to -her brow the Garter of her husband had followed her -into the gilded and brilliant halls of her residence, -redolent with the scent of many flowers. The -sumptuousness of the supper failed to thaw the -iciness of the affair. As for the host, according to -his habit amidst all those animated fêtes where everything -was given over to pleasure, he seemed pre-occupied -and smitten with care. Even when his -lordship danced, he seemed to be bent upon giving -his serious thoughts the slip by the accelerated movement -of his legs, disporting himself in an Irish jig or -a Scotch reel. Did Lord Castlereagh really endeavour -to get away from the disappointments of an insidious -and miscarried policy? Did he already ponder the -last scene of the political drama of his life, when the -stoicism of Cato, added to the sombre results of his -spleen, made him escape by suicide from tardy and by -then useless regrets? History has as yet not given -the key to that enigma.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_282">282</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2><a id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV</h2> -</div> - -<blockquote> - -<p>Some Original Types at the Congress—M. Aïdé—A Witticism of the -Prince de Ligne—Mme. Pratazoff—Mr. Foneron—The Old Jew—His -Noblesse and his Moral Code—Mr. Raily—His Dinners and his -Companions—The Two Dukes—The End of a Gambler—The -Sovereigns’ Incognito—Mr. O’Bearn—Ball at the Apollo—Zibin and -the King of Prussia—Charles de Rechberg and the King of Bavaria—The -Minuet—The King of Denmark—Story of the Bombardment -of Copenhagen—The German Lesson.</p></blockquote> - -<p>This unique scene of the Congress seemed a composition -of thousands of pictures forming a general view. -Each separate actor was a complete novel, and the -lives of most of them would have offered material -for long poems. As may be easily imagined, extraordinary -personalities were not wanting in this -motley gathering; their presence did not constitute -the least conspicuous singularity.</p> - -<p>Among the types not easily forgotten by the visitors -to Vienna in 1814–15 stood first and foremost M. -Aïdé. He was one of those cosmopolitans who make -up for the lack of genuine credentials and ascertained -pedigree by an overweening amount of assurance. -His career was a problem and his fortune -an enigma. Born at Smyrna, he came to Vienna -years before the Congress and while very young. His -Eastern costume and the title of Prince du Liban, -which he flourished somewhat ostentatiously about -then, attracted some notice. At the time of the -Congress he had become more modest; he had discarded -both the Mussulman dress and the princely -title. He was to be met with everywhere; no drawing-room -or reception seemed complete without him. -Very amiable and obliging, he apparently belonged to<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_283">283</a></span> -no camp or party, though perfectly at home in every -one. It was, nevertheless, noticed that he was a -guest at Lord Castlereagh’s more frequently than -elsewhere, and it was tacitly admitted that his lordship -favoured him for the sake of his private secretary, -between whom and M. Aïdé there had formerly existed -some commercial relations at Smyrna.</p> - -<p>The particular mania of M. Aïdé was to obtain -presentations to any and every one. The moment a -new drawing-room was opened, M. Aïdé’s fixed idea -was to find an introducer to facilitate his admission to -it. He often addressed himself to that effect to -people with whom he could scarcely claim acquaintance; -and it was exceedingly difficult to shake him -off. The Prince de Ligne, whose kindness he had -often laid under contribution in this way, finally got -tired of the thing, and one day, when badgered -as usual, he introduced the obstinate Greek in the -following words: ‘I present to you a man very much -presented and very little presentable.’</p> - -<p>The excellent prince often said that he was sorry -for what he had done, for the sentence was repeated, -and drew still greater attraction to M. Aïdé without -curing him of his mania. Some years afterwards, while -he was travelling in England, the elegant manners he -had acquired in his constant intercourse with good -society captivated, during his stay at Cheltenham, a -young and exceedingly rich girl, whom he married. -The uncertainty of his existence seemed, as it were, -at an end, when he got involved in a quarrel with the -young Marquis of B—— at a ball at Mr. Hope’s. -The cause, it was said, was most trifling—an introduction. -A duel was the result, and M. Aïdé was -killed on the spot.</p> - -<p>A not less curious individuality, notably for the -memories she recalled, was the old Comtesse Pratazoff, -the favourite of Catherine <span class="smcap smaller">II.</span>, near whom she -had occupied a most intimate if not most important -position. In Vienna she was accounted a celebrity.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_284">284</a></span> -I was indebted for a glimpse of that relic of the past -to the Prince de Ligne. ‘Our acquaintance dates -from very long ago,’ he said, while taking me to her -temporary residence one day. ‘She also belonged -to the company during that famous Crimean journey, -not because she had any particular functions, but -because the empress had got so used to talk to her, -especially in the morning and in the evening, as to be -unable to dispense with her. Royal favour often -springs from nothing more than a mere habit on the -part of the sovereign of seeing a certain person near -him. In the Comtesse Pratazoff’s case it was, however, -something more than that.’</p> - -<p>Catherine the Great’s intimate friend had taken up -her quarters at the inn. On entering the room I -saw, seated on a couch, a voluminous mass filling the -whole of its space. To judge from the quantity of -jewels she wore, she might have passed muster as an -Indian idol. From the top of her head to her waist, -she was literally covered with necklets, diadems, -bracelets, pendants, brooches, earrings, etc. This -jeweller’s shop seemed to me about seventy.</p> - -<p>On our entering the apartment, she made an -attempt to rise, but fell back into her original position, -trying, not, however, without great difficulty, to find -room for the prince on the sofa beside her. Having -become aware of my presence, she welcomed me -with some of those ultra-polished, not to say finical, -phrases the whole vocabulary of which was a very -open book to the educated Russians of her time. -Then the conversation drifted on to the halcyon days -of the fêtes of the Hermitage. The past was dignified -and the present vilified. The most curious feature -of this hour’s visit was the prince’s seeming oblivion -of the thirty years that had passed since that journey -to the Crimea, and his persistent effort to treat this -enormous dowager as a young and skittish thing, -calling her ‘my dear’ and ‘my little girl’; and her -absolutely serious acceptance of this kind of flirting<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_285">285</a></span> -by mincing and mouthing in a most ridiculous, -though to her evidently natural, manner.</p> - -<p>When we left her, I promptly repaired home to -inscribe on my notes the portrait of that puppet who -had come to show Europe in Vienna the sight of her -decrepit old person, her ancient jewels, and her superannuated -pretensions.</p> - -<p>Another ‘character’ was an Englishman named -Foneron. He had been for a long time a banker at -Leghorn, and had amassed a great fortune there, after -which he migrated to Austria. As humpbacked as -Æsop, as careful as the Phrygian, and nevertheless -endowed with a sensitive heart, he had strenuously -calculated the discomforts of a union with a fair one -of any thing like Circassian stature. With admirable -foresight, he had looked for and found a young -girl with a most charming face, but more deformed -than he. He offered his hand, which was accepted, -for the girl was poor. The marriage took place -secretly, but there were still too many witnesses, -for never assuredly was there a more strangely -assorted marriage. A host with an excellent wine-cellar -and an almost matchless cook is sure to meet -with indulgence from every one. Mr. Foneron had -both, and in spite of the far from good-natured -remarks about himself and his wife, made a point -during the Congress of giving the most exquisite -dinners. Few strangers admitted to his sumptuous -board have forgotten the Friday’s fare, and the classic -beefsteaks forming part of it. They might have -called Mr. Foneron the cook of the Congress. Amidst -that crowd of pretenders and petitioners, he asked -for nothing, claimed neither indemnity nor titles, -nor orders. His titles and orders were his dinners. -His sole ambition might have been to preside at -the Beefsteak Club of London.</p> - -<p>At one of those receptions I met M. Ank——, a -Jew by birth, who did not belie the instinct of his -race for gold. He had a great quantity of it, he was<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_286">286</a></span> -literally bursting with it; but his reputation for -avarice at least equalled his reputation for wealth. -He took it into his head to invite me to breakfast. -Curious to verify the proverb to the effect that there -is nothing more lavish than a miser, I accepted the -invitation. Both the size and the tidiness of the -whole of his apartment produced as it were a cold -shiver. There was scarcely any fire, few carpets, -and some hard-worn furniture. As a kind of penance, -no doubt, for the many glorious banquets I had -partaken of during the preceding months, he offered -me a little dubious black liquid which he called -chocolate. When I had courageously swallowed the -Lacedemonian broth, he took to showing me his -artistic treasures. M. Ank—— was a numismatist; -he had one of the richest and most complete collections -of medals in Vienna, rivalling that most celebrated -one of the Comte Vitzay. After this he -showed me some rather good pictures and then a heap -of bric-à-brac, collected less for the love of art than -from the wish for gain, for he put a madly exaggerated -price on all that old rubbish. I had accepted the -chocolate, I had drunk it, and I swallowed the rest -of the bitter cup. When he had shown me everything, -he drew from an iron chest a portfolio full of -drafts to order, bills of exchange, and bills at sight. -They represented an immense amount of money. -‘These are no family parchments,’ he said, ‘or emblazoned -scutcheons, but patents of nobility calculated -to blanch the cheeks of the world’s aristocracies, and -patents of nobility which shall never derogate. There -are neither misalliances nor hereditary stains of gold -in that book. Gold, from the day it was first purified -by fire, is the only pure genealogy, the only one -retaining its pride, the only one whose brightness -cannot be dimmed. Find me an aristocracy capable -of vying in multiplicity of quarterings and services -rendered with that one, and I’ll kneel down and -worship.’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_287">287</a></span> -And he stroked the bills of exchange, and waved -the flimsy bits of paper in the air, to prove to me -the enormous total of those patents of nobility of his -imagination. ‘With all this,’ he went on, ‘the world -is an immense Garden of Eden, where no fruit is forbidden. -Whatever the moralists of the school of -Seneca may pretend, here you behold the motive -of all virtue, and also the motive of all pleasure. I -hold the whole of it in this hand without trouble, -without confusion, without remorse—the whole of it, -from the most sumptuous palace, the most exquisitely -appointed carriages, the most exquisitely prepared -banquets, to the most divinely beautiful woman.’ -Saying which, he strained his ‘bill case’ to his heart -with more fervour than the old man hugs his purse -in the ‘Scène du Déluge’ of Girodet.</p> - -<p>‘I think I have heard enough, M. Ank——,’ I said; -‘you not only make an end of all virtue, but you -would justify crime. Why should not a brigand -adopt your plea after killing you, by saying that he -also wishes to judge whether the reality your gold -would procure could not weigh up against all your -illusions?’</p> - -<p>As may be imagined, I had had enough, and more -than enough, of the man, of his breakfast, of his code -of morals, and of his bill-book, and I bade him good-bye -with the firm intention of never seeing him -again.</p> - -<p>Another Englishman who at that time contended -with Mr. Foneron for the honour of entertaining -both strangers and his countrymen was Mr. Raily. -Thanks to his enormous expenditure, he was, according -to some, soon enabled to beat the exquisite -comfort of the family dinners of his rival. Not feeling -particularly anxious to swell the number of Mr. -Raily’s guests, I had persistently neglected every -opportunity of procuring for myself invitations, of -which Mr. Raily was not sparing.</p> - -<p>‘I wish you to make his acquaintance,’ Griffiths<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_288">288</a></span> -said to me one day: ‘an observer must see everything -and study everything. Mr. Raily, as well as several -other “characters,” will figure very well in your -recollections; at any rate, there will be the merit -of variety.’</p> - -<p>I let Griffiths have his way, only asking him a few -questions on the personage we were going to visit.</p> - -<p>‘Mr. Raily,’ answered Griffiths, ‘seems to me one -of those mysterious and strange individuals, like the -Comte de Saint Germain<a id="FNanchor_98" href="#Footnote_98" class="fnanchor">98</a> and Cagliostro, who appear -to me to live upon everything except their incomes. -When you have seen him, I’ll give you a more detailed -biography. In all my journeys I have invariably -met him living upon a footing either implying the -possession of great wealth or the clever means of -getting it. The first time I met him was at Lord -Cornwallis’s in India; since then I have seen him in -Hamburg, in Sweden, in Moscow, in Paris at the -period of the Peace of Amiens, when he told me he -had just arrived from Spain. And now, he is here in -Vienna, where he outshines the most opulent. One -is almost tempted to say that he seeks to forget or to -hide the origin of his wealth. His dinners are much -run after; his guests are of the highest rank, for he -seems to set particular store upon their quality and -titles. A duke seated at his board fills him with -joy, an excellency produces merely a glowing sensation -of comfort; but a royal highness produces a kind -of feeling no mortal pen can describe. If etiquette -permitted their majesties to visit him, Mr. Raily -would in a few days be bereft of his reason. You -shall judge of it for yourself, for I dare say he’ll invite -us, if only from sheer ostentation.’</p> - -<p>Mr. Raily had taken up his temporary quarters in -the magnificent mansion of the Comte de Rosenberg. -He welcomed us with the exaggerated courtesy -common to all those who are not affable either by<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_289">289</a></span> -instinct or constant habit. He was very important -about his house, the furniture, his horses and carriages -and the servants, which provided, as it were, the conversational -transition to the dinners, and became a -bore to the guests. He enumerated the highnesses -and the celebrities that had partaken of his hospitality, -or were about to do so, and, as Griffiths had -foreseen, wound up by saying:</p> - -<p>‘If you do not mind an invitation at such a short -notice, gentlemen, I shall be delighted if you’ll dine -with me to-day with the hereditary princes of -Bavaria and Würtemberg, the Grand-Duke of Baden, -Admiral Sir Sidney Smith, several ambassadors and -<i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">chargés</i> and other personages of distinction whom -you doubtless know.’</p> - -<p>Feeling that the gathering would present a piquant -picture, Griffiths promptly accepted; and we left -the happy master of the house superintending the -preparations for his <i xml:lang="it" lang="it">serenissimo</i> banquet. At six -o’clock we were once more in the magnificent apartments, -and dinner was served shortly after. The -table had been laid in a long gallery, at the end of -which there was a kind of English sideboard, <i>i.e.</i> a -buffet in tiers. The plate, both gold and silver, and -the crystal on it attested wealth rather than taste. -The host, positively beaming, had the Prince Royal -of Bavaria on his right, and the Prince Royal of -Würtemberg on his left; the rest, highnesses, generals, -ministers, etc., took their seats according to their own -sweet pleasure. A lucky chance placed me next to -Admiral Sidney Smith, and his interesting conversation, -ranging over a period of ever so many years, -opportunely broke the monotony of the banquet. For -though it is difficult to imagine a more sumptuous -banquet than that, the hours went wearily, and, in -spite of the abundance and the delicacy of the dishes, -the aroma of the wines, and the profusion of everything, -the guests seemed anxious to come to the end -of it all. No one tried to enliven the conversation,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_290">290</a></span> -or to make it general. The majority of the -eminent personages whom curiosity or the importunity -of their host had gathered round the table -seemed, as it were, more or less embarrassed by their -position. As for Mr. Raily himself, he felt convinced -that a repast graced almost exclusively by princes, -diplomatists, and grand seigneurs must necessarily -be one of the finest things the world had to offer. -The coffee and ices were served in one of the great -drawing-rooms, and, according to a Russian custom, -which Mr. Raily had no doubt brought back with him -from Moscow, several tables were covered with jewels, -precious objects, and trifles from the many lands Mr. -Raily had visited. As it happened, the display caused -the impression of a bazaar rather than that of a -drawing-room of good society. Nor did the music of -a well-selected and numerous band succeed in checking -the <i>ennui</i> and removing the constraint which had -manifestly fallen upon everybody. It was nine o’clock -when we rose from the table; at ten all these noble -guests had left Mr. Raily’s. In an adjoining drawing-room, -the host had put up some whist tables, which -kept in countenance those most bored. A small group -had gathered round a tall, upright old man, with a pair -of bright eyes and a skin as dry as a chip. It was Mr. -O’Bearn, who bore the reputation of being the oldest, -and was probably still the foremost, gambler in Europe. -He had made gaming the occupation of his life, his -sole study; he had lived by it, and was still living by -it. He was fond of recounting some of his gambling -stories, and even his hopeless Irish accent could not -rob them of their charm. ‘For many years,’ he said, -‘the Duke of H—— was anxious to pit himself against -me. Personally, I was willing enough to give him -that little gratification. He chose piquet; we began -our game at nine in the evening, and the next morning -when the sun streamed through the windows I had -gained more gold off his grace than his father had -ever gathered during his Governor-Generalship of<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_291">291</a></span> -India. After the last hand, which was for an enormous -stake, and which, like the rest, he lost, the duke got -up and said: “Mr. O’Bearn, I am afraid the whole of -my fortune will not be sufficient to pay you. I’ll -send you my steward, he’ll settle with you and hand -you the titles to my estates.” “Very well, sir,” I -answered, “these are the words of an honourable man. -But do not for a moment imagine that I am going to -let you ruin yourself in that way. It shall not be -said of me that I reduced the bearer of one of our -most historic names in the House of Lords to beggary. -On the other hand, as I do not wish to have wasted -my night, a thing I am not in the habit of doing, I’ll -ask you to send for a priest and for a solicitor. Before -the priest you shall take an oath never to touch -another card in your life; the solicitor shall draw up -a settlement giving me a thousand pounds sterling -annually for life.” I need scarcely tell you,’ added -the old gambler, ‘that my conditions were accepted -and strictly carried out. The Duke of H—— has -never touched a card since, and for nearly half a -century I have been enjoying my income.’</p> - -<p>Then the veteran gamester told us another story, -not less characteristic. ‘Shortly before the Revolution, -I came to Paris, and as usual took up my quarters at -the Hôtel d’Angleterre. The play was very high there -in those days. On the evening of my arrival, I went -to the drawing-room. The tables were set out, and I -sat down to one of them. Two gentlemen were playing -piquet. The Duc de Gramont, who was then the -king of fashion, the type of everything that was -elegant and extravagant, took a seat opposite me. -He looked very fixedly at me, and then, intentionally -or not, he said: “We hear a great deal of Englishmen -who risk enormous sums either at cards or betting. -Here we never catch sight of them.” I did not answer, -and a few moments later the game took an unexpected -turn. “I’d bet on monsieur’s hands,” said the duc, -pointing to one of the players. “Very well,” I replied,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_292">292</a></span> -“I’ll take the other side for eight thousand pounds -sterling.” “How much, monsieur, did you say?” -asked the duc. I repeated the sum in French money, -and the duc felt that he could not draw back. “I -take the bet,” he said. In another moment I was the -winner: the duc rose and came towards me, saying, -“Milord——” “My name is Mr. O’Bearn,” I said; -“I have no title. What is your pleasure?” “I may -not be able to discharge this considerable sum at a -moment’s notice.” “Pray do not mention it, your -grace, take your own time. But please to remember -that when I play, I always have the money handy in -my valise.” A little while afterwards, he paid me,’ -Mr. O’Bearn went on, ‘and from that moment he was -perhaps a little less hasty in giving his opinions about -the English. As for me, it has always been a delightful -recollection, this deserved lesson to the Duc de -Gramont.’</p> - -<p>While Mr. O’Bearn was telling us his stories, the -tables had gradually become deserted, and now the -small group of his listeners took their leave on this or -that pretext. We went away endeavouring to attract -no notice, asking ourselves how people could take so -much trouble and lavish so much money to arrive at -a result absolutely <i>nil</i>. Each member of this gathering -had appeared to ask himself during and after the -dinner: ‘How and why am I here?’</p> - -<p>‘Well, have you got the key to the puzzle?’ said -Griffiths, as we were leaving the house. ‘This man, -whose opulence causes surprise even here, where -everything is pomp and splendour and extravagance—this -man is simply a gambler. We have still got -in England some samples of those characters of -the bygone century. After Charles <span class="smcap smaller">II.</span> left to his -people the terrible gambling mania, to be a gamester -became, as it were, an avowable profession. You -know all that has been said of the youth of the Prince -of Wales, of his passion for gambling, which for him -had such terrible consequences. The most deplorable<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_293">293</a></span> -effect of this passion was to gather around his royal -highness a set of people whose bow it would have -taken some courage to acknowledge outside the precincts -of Carlton House. It was sufficient to be a -gambler, and what they called a magnificent gambler, -to have the doors of the royal residence thrown open -to you. These gentlemen, after the journeys they -made annually through England, much as the magistrates -went on circuit each session, as a rule took -their flight thence for their European tours. They -brought back immense harvests. Mr. Raily and his -guest, Mr. O’Bearn, belong to the number.</p> - -<p>‘Mr. Raily was born at Bath, that city enjoying the -foremost reputation among our celebrities of fashion. -Having started life with small means, he modelled -himself upon a certain Mr. Nash, his predecessor in -that career. That personage, who was called Beau -Nash, was for forty years the arbiter of all that was -elegant at Bath. His authority in that respect was -boundless, and his verdicts without appeal. They -finally gave him the sobriquet of ‘the King of Bath.’ -In imitation of his master, Mr. Raily posed as the -prince of the drawing-rooms and boudoirs. He, however, -soon grew weary of more or less romantic love-adventures, -and began to cast about for something -more profitable. From his native city, he went to -the capitals of the United Kingdom and then to -those of Europe. He exploited them very cleverly -and very luckily. At present, he has just returned -from St. Petersburg. He has brought back from it -all the gold plate you saw, the profusion of pearls -and diamonds which convey the impression of his -being a jeweller, and in addition to all this, it is -said, a credit of a million of florins at the banker -Arnstein’s. All this seems, indeed, most fabulous. -Let us trust that there will not be a verification of -the old proverb: “He who wants to make a fortune -in a month is generally hanged during the first -week.”’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_294">294</a></span> -Mr. Raily had a somewhat longer shrift than that, -because it was fully three years before I met with him -again, and then it was in Paris. But all his wealth -was gone, and all the brilliant illusions, if ever he -fostered any, were replaced by the most sombre -reality. When he called upon me, there was no -longer the confidence resulting from well-filled -pockets, but the saddening humility of an empty -stomach. I had scarcely time to question him; he -forestalled my queries by telling me that everything -was gone.</p> - -<p>‘Furniture, plate, diamonds, your infernal “Salon -des Étrangers” has swallowed every bit of them,’ he -said, and then he gave me a description of the quickly -following phases of the life of a gambler. ‘I have -exhausted everything,’ he wound up; ‘look at that -bracelet, it is made of the hair of my wife; it would -have gone the road of the rest, if your pawnbrokers -would have condescended to lend me a crown -on it.’</p> - -<p>‘But, Mr. Raily, why did you not apply to all -those celebrities you entertained so right royally at -Vienna?’</p> - -<p>‘I have written to all; I have not had an answer -from any.’</p> - -<p>I offered him some pecuniary assistance, and a few -years later I learnt that this man whose lavishness -had astonished Vienna itself at the period of the Congress, -and at whose board royalty had sat, had died -of starvation.</p> - -<div class="tb">* <span class="in2">* </span><span class="in2">* </span><span class="in2">* </span><span class="in2">*</span></div> - -<p>Since his gambling adventure I had often seen -Z——ki. The disaster and my attempts to minimise -the consequences had undoubtedly drawn us closer -together. After a dinner at the ‘Empress of Austria,’ -he proposed to take me to a ball which had recently -been established in a newly-erected, magnificent building, -called the Apollo Hall. In a few moments we -were on our way thither.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_295">295</a></span> -Everything projected at that period in Vienna -bore the grand stamp worthy of the time and of the -guests intended to be honoured. In spite of this, to -convey anything like an accurate idea of the beauty -of the new establishment would require a writer -capable of reproducing some of the chapters of the -<cite>Arabian Nights</cite>, which delighted our youth. The -Apollo Hall, the work of M. Moreau, the French architect, -is, no doubt one of the most curious constructions -of the capital of Austria. The interior, occupying -an enormous space, contained sumptuous galleries -and halls like those of a palace, and was practically -in keeping with the noble and tasteful proportions of -the outside. Emerging from these galleries, one came -gently upon the rustic arbours of a garden, and from -these upon a Turkish kiosk, and further on still upon -a Lapland hut. Gravelled walks, bordered by magnificent -greensward planted with roses and fragrant -plants, lent throughout a most charming variety. In -the centre of the huge supper-room, there was an -immense rock, whence, from among flowers, there -sprang a fall of natural water into basins teeming -with various kinds of fish. Every style of architecture -had its ordained part in this huge space, and -everything calculated to please the eye had been -brought to bear upon the enhancing of these styles; -such as, for instance, the glint of innumerable candles -on thousands of different-coloured crystal sconces. -Farther on, the whole became chastened by alabaster -lamps shedding their gentle light, and inviting the -more reposeful guests. And while without the snow -covered the earth, within spring seemed to have come -once more, bringing the most delightful scent of its -earliest harbingers.</p> - -<p>There was already a considerable crowd when we -entered; it was said there were between nine and ten -thousand persons. I am bound to admit that at no -festive gathering during the Congress had I seen a -more brilliant, and at the same time a stranger throng;<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_296">296</a></span> -it was a truly unique spectacle, a world in miniature. -Gradually, every one seemed to settle down in his -wished-for place, and circulation grew more or less -easy. The first person whom I caught sight of was -Zibin, promenading with the King of Prussia. Zibin -was treated in that familiar fashion by his Majesty -in virtue of his height. As he happened to be very -short, and his Majesty very tall, Zibin’s head came -exactly under the king’s arm. In spite of the discomfort -of the position, my young courtier seemed to -be so thoroughly delighted with it as to have preferred -it to one on the most luxurious Eastern divan. -Z——ki had left me for some friends he had met -immediately after he came in, and who were evidently -expecting him. I was looking out for some one to -replace him, when I ran up against General Tettenborn -and the Prince Philippe de Hesse-Hombourg. -I always felt much at home with them. We went -the round of the whole place, and afterwards sat down -at the entrance of the big ball-room to watch at our -ease the new arrivals, comprising nearly all the sovereigns. -The latter relished the liberty attached to -their <i xml:lang="la" lang="la">incognito</i>, and immeasurably preferred it to the -ceremonious etiquette of the Court entertainments of -that description. In fact, in all those public gatherings -the monarchs dropped their reserve, and seemed -practically grateful to those who within certain limits -would follow their example.</p> - -<p>The King of Bavaria was one of the last arrivals. -He was accompanied by his two sons, and his chamberlain, -the Comte Charles de Rechberg, was in -attendance. The last caught a glimpse of us, and -leaving his Majesty for a moment, came towards us. -But as his duties did not allow him to keep away for -long, he pressed us to sup with him when the king -should have retired. Naturally, he used every -argument he could think of, and finally gave us a -peroration which was, however, cut short by some -one pinching his ear. ‘Come along, gadabout,’ said<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_297">297</a></span> -Maximilian Joseph, and as a matter of course, on -perceiving him, we rose. ‘Don’t, gentlemen,’ he -said in his kindest voice; ‘but wherever I go I have -to look after him, while, unless I am mistaken, it’s -his duty to look after me.’</p> - -<p>Rechberg pleaded our unexpected meeting, and -from the tone in which the plea was allowed, it was -not difficult to guess the affection subsisting between -these two men. Immediately after he had gone, Comte -de Witt appeared on the scene. ‘You can be our -guide,’ he exclaimed on seeing me. ‘You know -all about the place, for you have been here at least -an hour.’ We wandered about, talking of his mother’s -place in the Ukraine, and finally landed into a kind -of Chinese pagoda, where there was a billiard table -occupied by the King of Denmark and a chamberlain. -Ypsilanti hailed me as we came in, and the -king on hearing my name turned round and recognised -me at once, although I had not seen him since his -accession to the throne. ‘Have you learned German -since your departure from Copenhagen?’ he asked me -with a smile.</p> - -<p>‘No, sire, but I have not forgotten the brief lesson -you were good enough to give me.’ The king then -inquired with the greatest interest after my family, -questioning me as to their whereabouts, and showing -by each of his questions that the cultivation of a -good memory is one of the foremost requisites of an -amiable ruler.</p> - -<p>Frederick <span class="smcap smaller">VI.</span> was a pattern of amiability and -frankness combined. He was hail-fellow-well-met with -the humblest without ever losing his dignity, and his -learning was manifold and solid. He took greater -trouble to please people than the most obtrusive -courtier. Advancing age had produced no change -outwardly. He was then, as he always had been, very -slight, with a pale face, a very long nose, and hair -almost bordering on white, though in reality fair, -which militated against his appearance. It was, in<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_298">298</a></span> -fact, the same figure which some years previously had -aroused both my mirth and my fear. But while his -features reminded me of a painful circumstance of my -life, they also recalled a memorable episode, and an -act of generosity and indulgence on his part, both of -which will sketch him better than a volume of praise -could do.</p> - -<p>‘What did you mean by talking to the king about -your first German lesson?’ asked the Comte de Witt, -when his Majesty had gone. ‘I am not surprised at -his recognising you as if he had left you a week ago; -as a rule, sovereigns have excellent memories, but -what about that German lesson?’</p> - -<p>‘The king has just reminded me of a circumstance -the story of which would be somewhat long. Allow -me to postpone the telling of it until to-morrow.’</p> - -<p>After this we went into the great ball-room, where, -mingling with the crowd, there were kings, generals, -ordinary individuals of the middle class, and statesmen, -rubbing shoulders with working men, flirting -with little shop-girls, but all seemingly very happy, -notably the illustrious personages playing at Almavivas, -and evidently more flattered by the preference -of some ingenuous Rosinas than by the studied -glances of admiration from the most expert Court -beauties.</p> - -<p>Zibin, who had succeeded in getting his head out -of the royal hug of his Majesty of Prussia, soon joined -us, and I complimented him upon the particular -attention of which he had been the object. In order -to swell his pride, and give him the opportunity -of having the delicate juxtaposition renewed, I cited -some of the recommendations of the Prince de Ligne, -our common master. ‘Be moderate in your praise. -Kings are no longer caught with words. The only -thing to which they are not absolutely proof is a -peculiar kind of look of admiration. But that’s all. -The sort of praise so lavishly used by Lauzun would -not seduce our modern Louis <span class="smcap smaller">XIV.</span>’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_299">299</a></span> -In company with several ‘majesties’ we stood watching -some of the worthy knights of Vienna going -through the traditional minuet. ‘Who would believe,’ -said Zibin, ‘that this dance saw the light in a -village? To watch its ponderous monotony no one -would imagine that in principle it was exceedingly -bright and gay. Introduced to the Court, its sprightliness -has been changed into gravity, and now it is -sufficiently doleful to make people ill with melancholy.’</p> - -<p>‘If that incomparable Prince de Ligne had not -been taken away from us, he would recall for us the -minuets he danced at the Grand Trianon with the -charming Marquise de Coigny,’ said the Comte de -Witt.</p> - -<p>‘The Prince de Ligne himself voted the minuet a -bit of <em>stupid</em> gracefulness,’ replied Zibin.</p> - -<p>‘His qualification dated from the period previous -to his having danced it himself,’ I remarked. ‘I am -inclined to think, with you, that they acquitted themselves -somewhat better at it at the Court of France -than they do to-day in Vienna. But be assured that -the old traditions of stately dances are not lost beyond -redemption.’</p> - -<p>‘But where is one to look for the traditions?’ was -the general cry around me.</p> - -<p>‘Well, if it will afford you any pleasure, I shall enable -you to judge’; saying which, I took a few steps to -the young Princesse de Hesse-Philippstadt, of whom -I had just caught sight, accompanied by her mother. -‘Princess,’ I said, walking up to her and holding out -my hand, ‘will you do me the honour to convince -these gentlemen that the Court minuet is not altogether -a lost art?’</p> - -<p>The princess accepting, Zibin lent me his hat, -and, mindful of the lessons of Abraham, who had -been her teacher as well as mine, we went through -the figures of that character-dance with a good deal -of precision. As for my charming partner, the suppleness -and grace of her steps might have tempted<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_300">300</a></span> -another Juan of Austria to come <i xml:lang="la" lang="la">incognito</i> all the -way from Brussels to see her perform them, as -the original one came all the way to the Louvre for -Marguerite de Bourgogne. Our critics were not -sparing in their praise, and were obliged to acknowledge -that the much-abused minuet was not as yet -dethroned.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile, the Comte de Rechberg, who was trying -to find his supper-guests, had no idea of my upholding -in the centre of the principal ball-room the -prestige of classic dancing. When I had taken the -young princess back to her mother, he, so to speak, -dragged us to the supper-room. At the table next -to us were the Prince Koslowski, Alfred and Stanislas -Potocki, some Russians from Emperor Alexander’s -suite, and a little further on, Nostiltz, Borel, Palfi, -and the Prince Esterhazy. There were many toasts -and many clever sallies, wit sparkled on the lips as -champagne sparkled in the glasses.</p> - -<p>The two princes of Bavaria supped with us. -Chance had placed me near the younger, Prince -Charles, who, as a youth, had the most charming face -imaginable, although he evidently set little store on -this physiognomical advantage, and seemed rather inclined -to place his trust in the mental powers with -which he was liberally endowed. Thanks to my -former stay at Munich, I was enabled to converse -with him about men and things interesting to both of -us. I reminded him of that terrible disaster of the -Isar bridge being carried away by the stream, and in -which he himself under my very eyes had played so -glorious a part. Then we began talking about -Vienna, its pleasures, and the charming women -gracing it at that moment, although I knew that -there was a girl of sixteen at Munich whose image -could not be ousted from the young prince’s heart.</p> - -<p>The Prince Royal of Bavaria, the present king, was -seated next to his father’s chamberlain. Though he -was less handsome and less brilliant than his brother,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_301">301</a></span> -his knowledge was very profound and varied, and he -also cultivated the Muses.<a id="FNanchor_99" href="#Footnote_99" class="fnanchor">99</a></p> - -<p>With such auxiliaries, Rechberg found no difficulty -in making his supper-party very lively. Before -breaking up, our company was reinforced by the two -tables next to us, and the fresh supply of liquor being -decidedly in proportion to the number of the recruits, -the retreat was not sounded until three in the -morning.</p> - -<p>Z——ki and I got separated from each other in -the crowd. As I was crossing the by no means deserted -ball-room, I caught a glimpse of him and of a -companion, a tall, slight, and elegant woman. Their -conversation seemed most animated. I waved my -hand to him from the distance, wishing him all the -compensations love is supposed to reserve for unlucky -gamblers.</p> - -<p>In the morning, the Comte de Witt was true to his -appointment. ‘You promised to explain to me,’ he -said, ‘the meaning of his Majesty of Denmark’s -words about your progress in the German language.’ -‘You know,’ I replied, ‘that often a word, a movement, -or a simple inflection of a voice suddenly -recalls scenes of our life which had practically vanished -from our memory. The past starts up vividly -with all its colours; the impressions that had gone to -sleep awaken there and then, and their power is such -as to give a kind of voluptuous or sensuous delight -in retracing the most painful episodes and the most -cruel losses. Nay, the very tears caused by these -seem sweet. That’s what I felt yesterday.</p> - -<p>‘During the course of the French Revolution, my -father, or the one who stood me in stead, had constantly -refused to emigrate. Proscribed for being -guilty of (the wrong) patriotism and devotion, he -only managed to save his head from the guillotine by<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_302">302</a></span> -hiding in a friend’s house. When the delirium of -blood was over, he considered himself justified in -claiming his nationality, which he had never forsaken -by abandoning his country. But placed once more on -the fatal lists of <i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">émigrés</i>, pursued by blind and relentless -hatred, once more proscribed after 18th Fructidor, -he was obliged to fly in order to escape an equally -horrible death. We managed to get as far as Hamburg, -where we experienced all the privations attached -to that kind of voluntary and hurriedly projected -exile. Invited by the Comte de Fersen to come to -Sweden, we left the Hanseatic city, and made our -way on foot across the flats of Holstein to Copenhagen. -Our exceedingly restricted resources did not -admit of any other mode of travelling.</p> - -<p>‘My “father,” at the period of his tenure of the portfolio -of Foreign Affairs, had been most intimate with -the Comte de Lowendahl in Paris, and he welcomed -us with every mark of goodwill. In his former -diplomatic relations with Denmark my “father” had -been enabled to make himself particularly agreeable to -that Court, and on the strength of this he ventured to -request from the prince royal some pecuniary assistance, -urgently needed in consequence of our precarious -position. The comte offered to present me to his -royal highness and to second our petition as far as lay -in his power. On the day previous to the promised -audience, I was strolling by myself in the park of the -royal residence, Fredericksborg. At the bend of a -path, I suddenly caught sight of a young man dressed -in light grey, skipping about rather than walking, -carrying an umbrella under one arm, the other being -held by a very pretty young woman. The face -of the young man seemed so peculiar to me that, -my French levity and my schoolboy gaiety getting -the better of me, I stopped to contemplate him at my -case, and immediately a fit of uncontrollable laughter -ringing out loud informed him of the result of my -examination. His angry look ought to have told me<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_303">303</a></span> -of his resentment of this impertinent scrutiny on my -part, but the angrier he got the more ridiculous his -face became to me, and my insolent laughter did not -cease until the couple were fairly out of sight.</p> - -<p>‘Next morning, on the recommendation of the -Comte de Lowendahl, I was to have my audience at -the palace. The guards let me pass, and in a little -while, crossing a series of resplendent galleries, I -reached a velvet curtain giving access to a drawing-room. -A page-in-waiting led me into the throne-room, -adjoining the private audience-chamber of the -prince, and then, my petition in my hand, I waited -to be admitted to his royal highness’s presence. In -a few moments the doors were thrown open, and -a chamberlain called out my name and beckoned me -across the threshold. All at once, at the end of the -apartment, I beheld, standing upright, the young -man I had so grossly insulted the previous day. -There could be no mistake about it. It was the same -face, the same grey Court dress, but the embroidered -star on his breast and his wide blue sash left no doubt -about his being the Prince Royal of Denmark. I -need not try to depict my feelings to you. Struck -with terror, as if I had stepped on a serpent, I recalled -both my unseemly laughter and the anger it -had aroused. Standing stock-still, and undecided -whether I ought to advance or retreat, I was almost -expecting immediate punishment for my ill-timed -levity of the previous day. I cannot say how long I -should have remained in this position, notwithstanding -the repeated signals of the chamberlain to draw -closer to his highness. Luckily, the young girl to -whom the prince had given his arm the previous -day, and who was none other than his charming sister, -the Princesse d’Augustembourg, just then crossed the -room on her way to the inner apartments of her -brother. More or less reassured by her angelic face. -I practically followed in her footsteps, trusting to -make her, as it were, a shield against a stern reprisal,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_304">304</a></span> -which, in our condition, would have absolutely filled -the cup of our misfortunes.</p> - -<p>‘Crimson with confusion and with drooping eyes, -I tremblingly held out the petition given to me by -my “father.” The prince looked fixedly at me and -undoubtedly recognised me, but not a muscle of his -face testified as much. On the contrary, he attentively -read the document, then handing it to his -sister he said, “One more victim of that French -Revolution.”</p> - -<p>‘After that he asked for some particulars about -our situation, and equally kindly inquired about our -resources and plans. Emboldened by his kind tone, I -told him all we had suffered since our departure from -France, our painful pilgrimage across Germany, our -intention to get to Sweden, and our hope of securing -the goodwill of the Comte de Fersen in my -“father’s” behalf.</p> - -<p>‘The princess had listened with the utmost attention -to the recital of our misfortunes. When I came -to the description of the journey on foot and to the -enumeration of all our privations, the prince asked -me, “But, no doubt, you know German?” “Alas, -no,” I was obliged to answer, “and that’s what made -our travels so terrible.” “Poor child,” said the princess, -“you are somewhat too young to have suffered -so much, and those dreary roads across our sandy -plains must have seemed wellnigh endless to you.”</p> - -<p>‘There were tears in her voice as she asked me -other questions about my family, my education, and -recollections of my country. The prince himself had -meanwhile written some words on my petition. -“I’ll reply to-morrow to your father,” he said, returning -the document to me. “If you will go from -here to my ‘privy purse office,’ they’ll give you a -hundred golden Fredericks, which will enable you to -proceed a little more comfortably.” “And I, monsieur,” -added the princess, “I wish you every happiness; -but should you fail to find some of it in Sweden,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_305">305</a></span> -return to Denmark for an asylum, and you will, at -any rate, find rest.”</p> - -<p>‘The prince called his chamberlain to intimate that -the interview was at an end, and told him to take me -to his treasury. You may imagine that this lesson of -a prince thus avenging himself for the impertinence -of a stranger was not lost upon me. Young though -I was, I promised myself never to give way again to -such exhibitions of offensive hilarity, and I have -kept my word.’</p> - -<p>‘I can see the lesson in politeness,’ said the Comte -de Witt, ‘but I fail to see the lesson in German.’</p> - -<p>‘I am coming to it. A few days later, my “father” -booked our passage for Stockholm, but contrary winds -delayed our departure. In the night of the 2nd April -1802, we were suddenly awakened by the noise of a -well-sustained bombardment. Naturally, we all got -out of bed and went on deck to make inquiries. The -slowly-coming dawn confirmed our uncertainty. The -whole of the English fleet, under the command of -Admirals Parker and Nelson, and favoured by the -wind and tide, had defied the batteries of Kronenburg -and forced the passage of the Sound, an enterprise -hitherto deemed impossible. The formidable -squadron, perfectly visible from the city which it -could shatter to pieces, came to summon Denmark to -give up her fleet or to dissolve there and then her -treaty with Sweden and Russia.</p> - -<p>‘Consternation became general among us; it only -wanted a sign from the English admiral to capture -or to sink us. Nelson scorned such a cheap victory, -and during the <i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">pourparlers</i> sloops were sent to tug -in the merchant craft. A few moments later we were -in port, and immediately afterwards the naval engagement -began. If the attack was headlong and -well-directed, the defence was not less heroic. Every -inhabitant rushed to arms to repulse the odious -aggression; all ranks commingled; there seemed no -difference between noble and artisan, merchant and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_306">306</a></span> -ordinary burgher. They were full of zeal; their hats -displayed the motto: “All for one; one for all.” The -royal prince showed the greatest courage during this -bloody struggle, a struggle so little expected by him. -A descendant in a direct line from the English sovereign, -his capital and fleet were suddenly threatened -by the orders of his uncle without there having -been anything hostile to lead up to this catastrophe. -As far as the peace of states is concerned, there -does not seem much to be gained by family alliances -and ties of blood.</p> - -<p>‘It would have been dangerous not to take part in -this enthusiastic resistance, and the moment we had -regained our inn I asked my “father” to let me have -my share of the fighting, to which proposal he offered -not the slightest objection. Armed with a sword -which might well have dated from the period of King -Knut, which had been lent to me by our hostess, -I repaired to the jetty. It was from that point I -beheld a naval battle in port, the most horrible spectacle, -I should say, the imagination could conceive.</p> - -<p>‘Never had Denmark been engaged in such a -murderous struggle; never, perhaps, had the Danes -an occasion to display their national courage more -nobly. Ardent and indefatigable, to judge by the -enthusiasm that animated them, they might easily -have been mistaken for a population of heroes. As -for me, standing stock-still at the far end of the -jetty, my long sword, which might well have served -as a lance, balanced on my shoulder, I felt that I was -doing outpost duty. No one seemed surprised. -Younger lads than I contended for the honour of -being entrusted with such perilous positions.</p> - -<p>‘The city was in flames; it rained shells everywhere. -The Danish war-sloops answered bravely to -the fire of the English vessels. Suddenly a shell struck -the Danish craft <i>Indfoedstretten</i>, and blew it up. A -horrid, lurid light illuminated the sky, and immediately -both the sea and the shore were covered with human<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_307">307</a></span> -and different wreckage, the blood of the former tinging -the green waves. Had the explosion occurred a few -moments earlier we also should have been victims of -it, for while they were towing our Dutch vessel into -port, we had been compelled to go on board the -<i>Indfoedstretten</i> to have our passports examined.</p> - -<p>‘Meanwhile, the fighting became more terrible and -relentless, and I, scarcely more than a lad, stood looking -on, rooted to the spot and spell-bound, when -suddenly some one tapped me on the shoulder, -addressing me in German at the same time. I looked -round and beheld the prince royal, who, in the confusion -of the moment, had got separated from his -suite. He still had his grey dress on. When he -recognised me, he addressed me in French. “What -are you doing here?” he asked. “I am trying to -acquit part of my debt, monseigneur,” I answered. -“Very well,” he retorted; “try to get this paper to -Captain Albert Turach. Look, follow my finger. -He is standing there on the shore, ready to take the -command of a floating battery. Run as fast as you -can, and remember the word <em>Augenblicklich</em>.”</p> - -<p>‘“How did you say it, prince?”’</p> - -<p>‘“<em>Augenblicklich.</em> It signifies instanter. You’ll -simply tell him the word, and hand him my order.”’</p> - -<p>‘I was already on the run. Turach received the -order, and flung himself into a skiff whose men were -only waiting for a leader to push off. When I came -back to my former vantage-point, the prince royal -was gone. I noticed him on a floating battery, whence -he contemplated the action and animated by his -presence and example the proud and generous populace -ready to give their lives under his eyes. To -me personally, the sight of this young and valiant -prince was practically a second expiation of my -mocking laughter in the park of Fredericksborg.</p> - -<p>‘I need not remind you of the results of that action; -the Danes covered themselves with glory, but the -slaughter was terrible. More than six thousand men<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_308">308</a></span> -perished in it. The city was burning in ever so many -places. Burghers, soldiers, students harnessed themselves -to the pumps, carried barrels of water, and -unsuccessfully tried to extinguish the flames. Finally, -Nelson, to stop the bloodshed, and to prevent the -wholesale destruction of Copenhagen, sent a <i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">parlementaire</i> -to the prince royal.</p> - -<p>‘The prince promptly sent his reply, and at once -the sanguinary drama, which had the port and the -city as its <i>locale</i>, ceased. Nelson came on shore, -and repaired to the palace between two lines of an -exasperated populace. Calm and proud, he walked -along as if he were still on his own battleship. -Following in his footsteps, I managed to elbow my -way through the crowd, and succeeded in getting -inside the private apartments. The prince royal took -Nelson to his father, whose mental state, however, -prevented him from knowing and from appreciating -the disasters of the capital.</p> - -<p>‘There was no alternative but to accept the conditions -imposed by England. The offensive and -defensive treaty between Denmark, Sweden, and -Russia was rescinded. The prince royal showed -himself as noble and dignified during the conferences -as he had shown himself courageous and resourceful -during the battle.</p> - -<p>‘Since then Frederick has ascended the throne, and -though, by the side of the vast kingdoms that have -sprung up, Denmark can scarcely claim to be more -than a magnificent, lordly domain, enhanced by a -royal crown, all these various events have not impaired -the excellent prince’s memory. You noticed for -yourself how he remembered an apparently frivolous -circumstance, but one which remains indelible in my -mind.’</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_309">309</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2><a id="CHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV</h2> -</div> - -<blockquote> - -<p>Religious Ceremony for the Anniversary of the Death of Louis <span class="smcap smaller">XVI.</span>—Reception -at Talleyrand’s—Discussion on the Subject of Saxony -and Poland—The Order of the Day of the Grand-Duke Constantine—A -Factum of Pozzo di Borgo—A Sleighing-Party—Entertainment -and Fête at Schönbrunn—Prince Eugène—Recollections of -Queen Hortense—The Empress Marie-Louise at the Valley of -St. Helena—Second Sleighing-Party—A Funeral.</p></blockquote> - -<p>An important ceremony put a stop to all these entertainments. -Twenty-two years had gone by since the -ill-fated Louis <span class="smcap smaller">XVI.</span> lost his head on the scaffold, and -his memory had not as yet received the expiation of -a solemn and public mourning. At the moment when -all those kings were working in unison for the pacification -of Europe, they could scarcely refrain from protesting -by a ceremonious manifestation against a fact -which, causing all their thrones to shake on their -bases, seems to have been virtually the signal of all -these disastrous wars. Consequently, when Talleyrand, -as the head of the French Legation, invited the -consent of the Austrian government to a memorial -service on the anniversary of the fatal twenty-first of -January, his request was granted with a kind of -melancholy zeal. Nay, more, Emperor Francis made -a point of having the service celebrated in the -Cathedral of St. Stephen, so that it might be marked -by extraordinary pomp, and that its expenses should -devolve upon the imperial treasury.</p> - -<p>MM. Isabey and Moreau were entrusted with the -plans and preparations for the ceremony. In accordance -with the emperor’s wish, the former displayed -the greatest magnificence, and that funereal pomp inseparable -from the obsequies of kings. In the centre<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_310">310</a></span> -of the old Basilica there stood a baldachin sixty feet -high, and ornamented with all the insignia of royalty. -Four colossal statues, placed at the four corners of a -cenotaph, represented respectively France, dissolved -in tears; Europe, contributing its meed of regret; -Hope, guiding the soul of the virtuous monarch to the -abode of everlasting bliss; and Religion, holding in -her hand that last will, the sublime model of charity -and pardon. The nave of the cathedral was entirely -covered with one immense hanging of black, richly -embroidered with silver. From each pillar was suspended -the scutcheon of the House of France. Numberless -wax candles and tapers shed a dazzling light -across those sombre walls, closed to the orb of day.</p> - -<p>A stand, entirely draped with black velvet, embellished -with silver fringe, had been prepared for the -sovereigns. The nave and the choir were reserved for -the specially invited guests, and the lateral parts of -the sacred building for the public.</p> - -<p>Long before the hour fixed for the ceremony an -immense crowd blocked up the approaches to the -Gothic fane. Every Frenchman in Vienna, no matter -what his rank, had received an invitation, and not one -failed. The Knights of the Golden Fleece and the -ambassadors in full Court dress occupied the foremost -rows of the choir. Behind them were all the notabilities, -all the princely guests, and the authorities of -the city of Vienna. A detachment of the regiments -of the Guards and another of the Hungarian Nobiliary -Guard were on duty round the catafalque, as at the -funeral of emperors. Emperor Francis himself intended -this as the highest expression of his personal -sentiments. In the nave stood a considerable number -of ladies attired in mourning and wrapped in long -crape veils.</p> - -<p>At eleven o’clock a blast of trumpets heralded the -arrival of the Emperor Francis, the Emperor of Russia, -the Kings of Prussia, Bavaria and Denmark; of the -Queen and of the Empress of Russia. The Empress of<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_311">311</a></span> -Austria, confined to the palace by ill-health, was the -only one absent from the ceremony. The Prince -Léopold de Sicile, as the only member of the House -of Bourbon, and M. de la Tour du Pin stood at the -portals of the cathedral and conducted the sovereigns -to the imperial stand. Immediately afterwards, the -celebration began. In spite of his eighty-four years, -the venerable Archbishop of Vienna, Prince de Hohenwarth, -had made it a point to officiate. A profound -respect, an intense and reverent emotion, pervaded -the immense assembly at the sight of the royal sarcophagus -and of the white-haired priest praying for -divine pity on the virtuous monarch. It would be -difficult to guess the feelings of all those monarchs, -reverently prostrated not far from the catafalque, -recalling such a great misfortune and such a great -event in the history of France. All were more or less -related to the illustrious house of France, the most -ancient of Europe.</p> - -<p>M. Zaiguelius, vicar of Sainte-Anne in Vienna, and -of French origin, delivered an address in French, -noticeable for its many beauties, and some people -pretended that M. Talleyrand was not altogether a -stranger to its composition. The text was, ‘Let the -earth know the fear of the name of the Lord.’ In this -very remarkable address, the speaker was particularly -anxious to show the hand of God, which raises up -and overthrows thrones. Then, after the prayers for -Louis <span class="smcap smaller">XVI.</span> and Marie-Antoinette, he concluded by -reciting the principal passages of the will, which has -rightly been called the most heroic code of charity. -This was, in fact, the most beautiful funeral oration of -Louis <span class="smcap smaller">XVI.</span>, and when M. Zaiguelius descended from -the pulpit there was not a dry eye in the place. -After this, two hundred and fifty voices sang, without -accompaniment, the ‘Requiem,’ composed by Neukomm, -a pupil of Haydn. The musicians had been -reinforced by amateurs; they constituted two separate -choirs, of which one was conducted by Salieri, the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_312">312</a></span> -Director of the Imperial Music. Its effect was admirable. -Listened to with the most reverential silence, -the hymn of sorrow seemed less a prayer addressed -to Heaven for a virtuous victim than a sequel to the -sublime words of pardon to which we had just listened. -The cost of this funereal solemnity amounted to nearly -a hundred thousand florins, and was entirely defrayed -by the Austrian Court.</p> - -<p>An express order of the emperor had suspended for -that day all the ordinary entertainments. During the -evening there was positively a crowd in M. de Talleyrand’s -drawing-rooms. Everything was most sedate, -as usual, for political discussions were the order of the -day there rather than those connected with fêtes and -gaiety. The Polish question was more than ever to -the fore, and apparently as far as ever from being -settled. The incorporation of Poland with his empire -had been the ardent aspiration of Alexander from -the very beginning of the Congress of Vienna. Supported -in that claim by the King of Prussia, to whom, -as a set-off, he sacrificed and abandoned Saxony, he -had not reckoned upon any particular resistance; but -it became manifest at the very outset of the discussions -that there would be a lively opposition to this -dual spoliation and the kind of bargain it involved. -In the matter of Saxony, both Metternich and Talleyrand -strenuously opposed the overthrow of a prince -sincerely beloved by his subjects, and who during -forty years had honoured the throne by his uprightness -and by a combination of many virtues. These -two statesmen fostered the hope that by denying -Saxony to Prussia they would contribute to a rupture -between the czar and King Frederick William; and -that in consequence of this the Congress would be -enabled to cut an independent Polish kingdom out -of the Grand Duchy of Warsaw. England, which in -principle seemed favourable to the pretensions of -Russia and Prussia, had, however, been persuaded by -the arguments of the Austrian Minister and his French<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_313">313</a></span> -colleague, and had taken sides with them. The discussion -became very envenomed, in spite of the kindly -efforts of Prince Razumowski. It was during one of -those stormy conferences that the Grand-Duke Constantine -became very angry with M. de ——. Finally, -during another sitting, Alexander, addressing Lord -Castlereagh, had not scrupled to affirm that at his -voice eight millions of Poles would not hesitate to arise -in order to sustain the independence of their country.<a id="FNanchor_100" href="#Footnote_100" class="fnanchor">100</a></p> - -<p>Behind this question of Poland there loomed, however, -another question much more important and far-reaching -for European equilibrium. Napoleon had -as yet not uttered the famous words, that before fifty -years Europe would be French or Cossack. But -already many far-seeing minds had become alarmed, -and not without reason, at seeing Russia assuming the -mastership on the Vistula. With the object of ‘forcing -her back towards her inhospitable climate,’ and of -plucking Poland from her domination, Austria, France, -and England made a secret treaty on the 10th of -January 1815. Talleyrand’s influence had determined -that compact, for he already inclined towards -an English alliance, to the realisation of which he -looked so hard fifteen years later. That self-same -treaty which the ministers of Louis <span class="smcap smaller">XVIII.</span> left behind -them at the time of their flight on the 26th March -1815, and which Napoleon promptly sent to Alexander, -was the cause of Alexander’s resentment -against Talleyrand, which was never overcome. It -was one of the causes which, after the second Restoration, -kept the French diplomatist away from the -ministry and from public affairs.</p> - -<p>Nevertheless, it was supposed that the Grand-Duke -Constantine, who had left Vienna in deference to his -brother and master’s will, was only occupied with -reviews and manœuvres, the supposedly exclusive<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_314">314</a></span> -objects of his passion. Nobody thought of war, and -everybody ardently desired peace. Suddenly there -came to Vienna a proclamation addressed by the -Grand-duke to the Polish nation, which was tantamount -to an appeal to arms. This strange manifesto -was composed as <span class="locked">follows:—</span></p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>‘To the Polish Army.—His Majesty the Emperor -Alexander, your powerful protector, appeals to you by -this. Gather round your standards, take up arms to -defend your country and to maintain your political -existence. While this august monarch prepares the -happy future of your country, show the world that -you are ready to sustain his whole efforts with the -price of your blood. The same chiefs who during the -last twenty years have led you on the road to glory -will know how to lead you thither once more. The -emperor is fully cognisant of your valour; amidst -many disasters of a most fatal war he has seen your -honour survive events which in no wise depended upon -you. Signal feats of arms conferred distinction upon -you in a struggle the motive of which was foreign -to you; at present, when your efforts are directly -devoted to your country, you will be invincible. -Soldiers and warriors of all arms, be ye the first to -give the example of all the virtues which should inspire -your countrymen. A boundless devotion to the -emperor, who has no other aim than the welfare of -your country, an unalterable love for his august -person; obedience, discipline, and courage—these are -the means to ensure the prosperity of your country, -which is under the ægis of the emperor. It is only -by those means that you can attain the happy situation -which others may promise you, but which he -alone can bestow. His power and his virtues will -be the guarantee of it to you.’</p></blockquote> - -<p>Two points in this document, more than any other, -aroused profound astonishment. The Grand-duke, in<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_315">315</a></span> -inciting the Poles to rally around his brother the -emperor, in soliciting their devotion to his person, -forestalled, as it were, the supreme decision of the -Congress. The question was practically pending -before the sovereign tribunal, no decision whatsoever -had been taken, nevertheless Constantine virtually -proclaimed his brother the Protector of Poland. -Secondly, what construction was to be placed on -those threats of war, on that appeal to arms, when -the whole of Europe was ostentatiously looking at -the consolidation of a general appeasement? Against -whom, then, were the Poles, guided by the Russians, -to take up arms? Against the other Powers, who refused -them their independence? Did Constantine in -reality flatter himself that he was imposing upon the -Poles and hoodwinking them by garbling the truth? -Could she (Poland) be blinded by those protestations -in favour of her nationality?</p> - -<p>Since the proclamation, denied for a moment, had -acquired the stamp of authenticity, the discussion -provoked by it stifled all others. In Talleyrand’s -drawing-room it was the subject of all conversations. -He was known to be a partisan of Saxony and Poland. -It was also known that, together with Metternich, -he was the soul of that far-seeing and imperturbable -resistance to Russian projects.</p> - -<p>‘Have you read a statement drawn up by M. Pozzo -di Borgo in connection with Poland?’ said M. L—— -to a group surrounding him. ‘The political world is -very much concerned about it. The author aims to -show that, for many reasons, this country must not -be granted its independence, but must be entirely incorporated -with Russia.’</p> - -<p>‘It is but natural,’ was the answer, ‘that M. Pozzo -di Borgo should have posed as the enemy of both the -principles and the person of Napoleon. This is easily -conceivable and easily explicable by allowing for the -poison of the Corsican vendetta, which becomes an -heirloom from generation to generation. In his<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_316">316</a></span> -country hatred is a family inheritance: God alone -knows how far it goes back and where it will end. -But what has that ill-fated nation done to M. Pozzo -that he should oppose the good-will shown towards -her here?’</p> - -<p>‘M. Pozzo defends the cause of the country which -adopted him. Employed by Russia, he has become a -Russian.’</p> - -<p>‘But is not this carrying devotion to ingratitude? -Is it possible, then, that the recollection of past benefits -is denied to the political writer to such a degree -as to make M. Pozzo forget that Prince Adam Czartoryski -virtually “picked him up” on his arrival in -Russia; that he took him and, as it were, guided him -to that temple the first steps of which he aspired to -ascend? When M. Pozzo came back from Constantinople, -where his efforts to ingratiate himself with -Admiral Siniavin had been paralysed either by the -intrigues or by the real merit of M. le Comte Capo -d’Istria, he was bound to make up at St. Petersburg -for the check he had received at the Bosphorus by a -fresh attempt. Prince Adam was, for the travelling -diplomatic apprentice, a veritable godsend. To write -a diatribe against the country of the prince is tantamount -to attacking his own star. From a political -point of view it is, perhaps, very clever. I scarcely -care to ask what it is from an ethical point.’</p> - -<p>‘You know that M. Pozzo claims the priority of -the idea of having directed the march of the allied -armies on Paris?’</p> - -<p>‘Yes; but it is also said that after the event the -claim was preferred by the other prophets. If it had -failed, there would doubtless be fewer oracles to-day.’</p> - -<p>‘Well, it is probable that M. Pozzo will go very far -before we have finished with him. To succeed in -politics, one must forget family and country, tread -underfoot gratitude, stifle the dearest affections, deny -the principles of one’s life, and at that price only glory -and success come within one’s grasp.’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_317">317</a></span> -An untoward fate seemed to dog the sleighing-party -projected by the Austrian Court. It had been postponed -several times in consequence of a change of -temperature. One day the cold seemed to promise -for the next the hard and polished surface necessary to -those northern chariots, then a thaw would set in and -soften the layer of ice spread on the earth. Finally, a -downright frost began, preceded by an abundant snowfall, -and the imperial promenade was once more fixed. -From early morning an immense crowd gathered -on the Josef Platz, where the sleighs were to meet. -Nearly all had been refurbished; those intended for -the emperors and sovereigns were in the form of a -<i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">calèche</i>, and were decorated with a taste and lavishness -productive of the happiest results. They sparkled -with the brightest colours, enhanced with gold. The -cushions, of emerald-coloured velvet, were trimmed -with fringe of the same metal. The harness, displaying -the scutcheon of the imperial house, was hung -with silver bells. The sleighs of the high personages -of the Congress and of the Austrian nobility vied both -in richness and elegance with those of the sovereigns: -silk, velvet, and gilding everywhere, while every sleigh -was drawn by horses of price, caparisoned with tiger -skins and rich furs, their flowing manes plaited with -knots and ribbons. They were with difficulty kept -in hand, the tinkling of the bells rendering them more -spirited than usual, and anxious to get away with -the light loads behind them.</p> - -<p>While awaiting the signal to start, the privileged -promenaders had forgathered within the Imperial -Palace. At two o’clock the order was given, and the -illustrious company came down, taking their seats, -the sovereigns in accordance with the rule of precedence -prevailing in their case, the others according -to the rank determined by mere chance. To each -cavalier a lady is assigned by lot as his companion on -the road. A blast of trumpets is heard, and the procession -begins its march.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_318">318</a></span> -A detachment of cavalry comes forward, preceding -the sergeants and sergeants’ caterers of the Court, -mounted on richly caparisoned cattle. They are -followed by an immense sleigh drawn by six horses -and containing an orchestra of kettledrums and -trumpets. The grand equerry, Trauttmansdorff, on -horseback, and followed by his men-at-arms, comes -afterwards, then immediately after that, the sleighs -of the sovereigns. The first sleigh is that of the -Emperor of Austria, piloting the charming Elizabeth -of Russia. In the second was Emperor Alexander -with the Princesse d’Auersberg; then came the King -of Prussia with the Comtesse Julie Zichy, the King of -Denmark with the Grande-Duchesse de Saxe-Weimar, -and the Grand-Duke of Baden with the grand-mistress -of the Court, the Comtesse Lazanski. Twenty-four -young pages, richly dressed in mediæval costumes, and -a squadron of the Hungarian Nobiliary Guards provided -the escort for the sovereigns’ sledges.</p> - -<p>The Empress of Russia was wrapped in a large coat -of green velvet lined with ermine; on her head she -wore a toque of the same colour with an aigrette of -diamonds similar to that usually worn by the great -Catherine. The other ladies were equally provided -against the cold with velvet coats of the richest -colours; the Grande-Duchesse de Weimar’s being pink, -also trimmed with ermine, a fur which in Austria is -exclusively reserved for personages of royal blood. -The other colours such as purple and amaranth were -all relieved by the rarest and most elegant furs.</p> - -<p>Then came the other sledges, to the number of -thirty, holding the principal Court personages and the -princely guests for whom this entertainment had been -projected. The procession crossed the city at only a -walking pace, thus enabling the crowd to recognise -and to salute those who in a little while will be -carried away at a gallop. The Archeduc Palatine -has by his side the Grande-Duchesse d’Oldenbourg -wrapped in a blue velvet mantle, the shade of which<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_319">319</a></span> -blends most happily with her charming face. Behind -these the Prince Royal of Würtemberg has for his -companion the Princesse de Lichtenstein. Handsome -though his companion is, he does not take his eyes off -the sleigh containing the woman he worships, and he -looks as if inclined to quarrel with fate for having -served him so niggardly. Our charming ‘queen,’ as -we call the Comtesse Fuchs, has fallen to the lot of -the Prince Guillaume de Prusse. The Prince Léopold -de Sicile is with the Princesse Lubomirska, the Prince -Eugène with Mme. Apponyi, the Prince Royal de -Bavière with the Comtesse Sophie Zichy, the Archeduc -Charles with the Comtesse Esterhazy, the Prince -Auguste de Prusse with the Comtesse Batthyany, the -Comte François Zichy with Lady Castlereagh, the -Comte de Wurbna with the Comtesse Walluzen, the -Duc de Saxe-Cobourg with the handsome Rosalie -Rzewuska. The dresses of all those ladies were -elegant beyond description; the men wore Polish -coats trimmed with the most beautiful fur.</p> - -<p>After that followed a squadron of grooms wearing -the imperial livery; then the procession was closed -by several reserve sleighs and another huge six-horsed -sledge carrying a band dressed in Turkish uniforms -and playing warlike tunes. After having slowly -traversed the principal streets of Vienna, the procession -ranges itself in two lines, and at a signal the -horses start at a gallop on the road to Schönbrunn.</p> - -<p>In a few moments, the magnificent line of sleighs -reaches its first stage. As, however, there had been -some slight contretemps with those frail ‘turn-outs,’ -there was a half-way halt near the monument erected -to King John Sobieski for his deliverance of Austria. -It is a triangular pyramid constructed on the very -spot where the Grand Vizier Kara-Mustapha had -erected his tent during the siege. When the brilliant -string of sleighs had vanished from our eyes, there -was a unanimous cry of admiration from the numerous -spectators at the unique beauty of the sight. The<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_320">320</a></span> -fact of so many illustrious personages being brought -to the spot was considered as worthy of admiration as -the magnificence and pomp displayed by the Austrian -Court and noblesse. Of course it required a solemn -function like the Congress to rally so many crowned -heads, celebrities of all kinds, and remarkable women. -It was, indeed, a picture which for many centuries -will not be repeated.</p> - -<p>The Empress of Austria, the King and Queen of -Bavaria, besides several other personages in far from -robust health, who feared the cold, had gone to -Schönbrunn in closed carriages. A magnificent fête -had been prepared and many invitations issued. The -return was to take place at night and by torchlight. -After the banquet to which all those who made up the -sleighing party were invited, the principal Viennese -actors presented one of the prettiest pieces of the -French stage, the <cite>Cendrillon</cite> of M. Étienne, which -had been translated into German. A grand ball -was to wind up the entertainment. The Prince Koslowski, -the Comte de Witt, and I repaired betimes -to Schönbrunn.</p> - -<p>The sleighs on their arrival formed into a circle -around the frozen lake of Schönbrunn, which was like -a polished mirror, and was covered by skaters in the -most elegant costumes of the various countries -of Northern Europe. The scene was very animated, -with the various sledges in the shape of swans, -gondolas, etc., and reminded one of a Dutch kermesse, -especially in respect to the itinerant vendors of fortifying -drinks patronised by the energetic performers. -The picture was in reality unique in virtue of the -various servants in livery, both on foot and on horseback, -and the sleighs of the Court itself, not to mention -the enormous crowds of spectators who had come -all the way from Vienna.</p> - -<p>A young man attached to the English embassy, Sir -Edward W——, a member of the London skating-club, -and accustomed to astonish the promenaders in<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_321">321</a></span> -Hyde Park on the Serpentine, executed some wonderful -feats in the way of figures, pirouettes, and single -and double curling. Like the Chevalier de St. George, -who on the pond at Versailles traced the name of -Marie-Antoinette, Sir Edward traced the monograms -of the queens, the empresses, and other female celebrities, -who left their sleighs to admire his skill. -Others, less perfect than he, no doubt, but very -skilful nevertheless, performed Chinese and European -dances, including a waltz. The latter was danced -by two Dutch ladies in the picturesque dresses of -Saardam milkmaids, to the applause and admiration -of everybody.</p> - -<p>I may dispense with a description of the theatre: -it was dazzling as usual, but the aspect of the -adjacent rooms was truly delightful. The rarest -plants of the imperial green-houses—myrtles, orange-trees -in full bloom—hid the walls of the staircases, -the vestibules, and the ball-rooms; it was a decoration -all the more appreciated in virtue of the temperature -outside. After the performance of <cite>Cendrillon</cite>, to -which some gracefully designed ballets had been -added, the crowd repaired to those drawing-rooms, -where the perfume and the variety of the flowers -reminded us of the most clement season of the year. -They only went through a few polonaises.</p> - -<p>‘I am bound to admit,’ said Comte de Witt, ‘that -this sleighing party has been a beautiful, marvellous, -and elegant affair, even to us Russians, who are -accustomed to that kind of magnificence. I also -admit that this fête, recalling as it does the spring, is -equally worthy of the rest. In truth, at the pace -we are proceeding with our amusements, it will not -be surprising if surfeit breed disgust. Nevertheless, -in order to add something new to all that has -been offered to us, and to complete this winter fête, -they ought to have constructed on the Schönbrunn -lake a palace of ice to receive and entertain our royal -company.’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_322">322</a></span> -‘Entirely of ice, general?’</p> - -<p>‘Yes, like that which Empress Anne constructed on -the Neva. But you, who have lived in St. Petersburg, -did you never hear of that fête?’</p> - -<p>‘No.’</p> - -<p>‘There was at Anne’s Court a Prince de G——, -who had practically become its jester. The empress -wished to get him married, and they chose him a wife -more or less likely to fall in with his eccentric habits. -In order fitly to celebrate the nuptials, they constructed, -as I told you, a palace of ice on the Neva. -The columns, the walls, the wainscoting, the furniture -in the interior, such as the tables, the lustres, and even -the bed of the newly-married couple, was absolutely -of frozen water, shaped by cunning artificers. In -order to give more variety to this extraordinary construction, -blocks of coloured chiselled ice had been -employed in the ornamentation of the structure. -When sumptuous carpets had been spread in the -apartments, and thousands of wax tapers had been -lighted, the Court repaired in sleighs to this fantastic -place, and the fête commenced. Cossack dances to -the strangest music were performed, then there was a -supper, partaken of by ever so many guests. In the -midst of the banquet four Cossacks brought in with -great pomp a whole ox with gilded horns, which -had been roasted on the ice in the court of the palace. -After having made the round of the table, this -monstrous roast was given to the servants. Then -came the moment for putting the newly-married -couple to bed; the signal was given with a salvo -of artillery from ordnance made of ice.</p> - -<p>‘Up to that moment everything had gone well with -poor G—— and his wife. But when they had been -undressed and put to bed, and the ice began to melt -around them, their gestures and countenances were not -in the least expressive of the tender passion, whether -hallowed or not. And as, according to ancient usage, -all this was taking place in the presence of the Court,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_323">323</a></span> -they did not dare to leave their couch, and were by -no means pleased with this bit of imperial recreation. -Save the wedding-ceremony, however, the tradition -of this extraordinary and magnificent palace has been -kept up to the present day, and I am sorry the -members of the fêtes-committee did not revive the -spectacle of an immense castle built of ice.’</p> - -<p>While Comte de Witt was telling me all this, I had -caught sight of Prince Eugène by himself, and I went -up to him. With his usual kindness, he reminded -me of my not having been to see him for a long -while, although we had frequently met at our friend -Comtesse Laura’s. Wherever Prince Eugène was -compelled to appear, his calm dignity never forsook -him; and in spite of his equivocal situation -at Vienna, he made many, many friends. I have -already touched upon Emperor Alexander’s sincere -affection for him, a friendship redounding to the -honour of the deposed prince and the powerful -emperor. This friendship and interest of the czar -extended to Queen Hortense. Knowing her impulsive -disposition, and how much she stood in need -now and again of disinterested advice, Alexander had -despatched to Paris a diplomatic agent, named Boutiakine, -with the mission to take care of her, and to -guide her in all things.</p> - -<p>Eugène had just received some letters from this -cherished sister, who appeared to have inherited all -the feminine graces of her mother. Hortense fully -unbosomed her griefs, which at that moment were -very poignant. The family dissensions, the death of -her mother, the threat of being deprived of her children, -everything seemed to aggravate the loss of her -brilliant position. The prince, in mentioning all these, -could scarcely restrain his emotion; and from that -moment I promised myself to make those confidences -a passport to the friendship of the woman to whom -the loss of a crown seemed the least of sorrows. My -wish was realised later on, not in Paris, as I had<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_324">324</a></span> -hoped, but in the spot which at the time served her -as an asylum. It was in 1819, when she was in exile. -I had just returned from Poland, where I had spent -several years, and was preparing to go back to -France. Being at Augsburg, I was informed that she, -who no longer bore any other title than that of the -Duchesse de Saint-Leu, was living there. In days -gone by she had set some of my romances to music. -The latter circumstance, together with the good-will -shown to me by her brother during the Congress of -Vienna, emboldened me to request the honour of being -presented to her; her immediate answer virtually -enhanced the favour accorded.</p> - -<p>At that time I only knew Queen Hortense by repute, -and from the frequent allusions to her made by her -brother; but from the very first it seemed to me that I -was meeting with an old friend after a long absence, and -that I was indebted for her cordial welcome to the bonds -of an old friendship. Everything in her harmonised -perfectly—the sweet expression of her features, her -conversation, the gentleness of her voice and of her -character. Every kind and affectionate word that fell -from her lips was all the more precious, inasmuch as -it was dictated solely by her heart; she imparted such -animation to her pictures as to imbue the spectator -with the idea of being an actor in, or at least a looker-on -at, the real scene. She had a kind of personal magic -in communicating information and in fascinating -those with whom she came in contact, and that artless -power of seduction took deep root in people’s -hearts.</p> - -<p>It was during the short moments of a confidential -conversation that I was enabled to judge of her absolutely -genuine qualities. She was deeply moved -at all the memories of the past, but one idea—the -insatiable craving for another glimpse of France, -seemed uppermost.</p> - -<p>During the evening tea was served. ‘It’s a custom -I brought back with me from Holland,’ she said, ‘but<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_325">325</a></span> -do not suppose that it is in order to remind me of -that brilliant and, alas, so far distant period.’</p> - -<p>Several visitors came from the immediate neighbourhood, -others from Munich. They were cordially -welcomed, and she felt, no doubt, flattered by the -consideration with which she was treated, inasmuch -as that consideration could be due to esteem only, and -not to intrigues or adulation, of which she felt so weary -both at Saint Cloud and at the Hague. During the -evening she showed me some good pictures by painters -of the various schools, and a collection of art objects -which had been considerably increased by that left by -her mother. The majority of those brilliant trifles -were connected with certain periods and celebrated -people, and they might well have been called a summary -of modern history. After that we had some -music. The duchesse sang to her own accompaniment, -and she put as much soul into her singing as -into the compositions themselves. She had just -finished a series of drawings for her ballads, and the -next morning she sent me the pretty collection, which -time will render all the more precious.</p> - -<p>At midnight I took my leave, without much hope -of seeing her again. But that particular day will for -ever be stamped on my memory. It is a pleasure to -pay one’s homage of respect to fallen grandeur, when, -as in Hortense’s case, natural and amiable genius is -added to the fascination of a kindly nature.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile the sleighing-fête was over, and a blast -of trumpets gave the signal for the return to Vienna. -Wrapt in their cloaks, the illustrious guests proceeded -towards the court of the palace. Ranged in two lines, -their sleighs were waiting for them. Everybody -resumed the position of the morning. A martial strain -gave the signal for the start, and the vehicles disappeared -at a gallop, leaving on the horizon a trail of -light across the snow and the hoar frost of the trees.</p> - -<p>While the palace of Schönbrunn was the scene of -these intoxicating pleasures, how were those occupied<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_326">326</a></span> -to whom it represented only a prison? Avoiding all -contact with the joyous guests of the Congress, Marie-Louise -and her son preferred to get away from a -pleasure party which could only awaken sad recollections. -Early in the morning, they departed -in sleighs to the smiling valley of St. Helena, near -Schönbrunn, where they passed the day—the empress -offering dinner to her small Court—and returned to -Schönbrunn in the evening. A strange coincidence -of names between the valley of St. Helena where -Marie-Louise went to hide her grief, and that famous -island, also called St. Helena, where her husband, -a few months later, buried both his glory and his -disasters.</p> - -<p>The next morning the Emperor of Austria made a -present to Alexander of the gilded sleigh in which the -latter had ridden. To show his appreciation of the -gift, the czar had it carefully packed and sent to St. -Petersburg. The expenses of that sleighing-party and -the fête following it were estimated at three hundred -thousand florins. Many years have passed since that -joyous period of the Congress of Vienna. Many of those -whom I saw so gaily carried away by the tinkling-belled -coursers have been pitilessly carried away since -then by relentless death. How many perished before -their time! Emperor Alexander, whose courtesy and -youthful spirit were the life of all those parties; the -Emperor of Austria; the Kings of Prussia and Bavaria; -Prince Eugène, so kind and cordial—all are lying -in their graves. The Empress of Austria, so graceful, -and such a beneficent friend to art; the charming -Elizabeth of Russia; her sister-in-law, the Grande -Duchesse d’Oldenbourg; the Comtesse Julie Zichy; -Madame de Fuchs—all were taken away as prematurely -as unexpectedly. How many other women -in the zenith of their beauty, whose grace enhanced -those gatherings, followed them when their life was -scarcely more than half run! And among the -political or military notabilities, de Wrède, Schwartzenberg,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_327">327</a></span> -Talleyrand, Castlereagh, Dalberg, Capo -d’Istria, besides the friends so dear to my affection, -such as Koslowski, Ypsilanti, de Witt! In truth, -the almost imperceptible track of the sleigh gliding -on the polished snow was the image of our rapid -passage, or rather of our short-lived apparition, on -this earth.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_328">328</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2><a id="CHAPTER_XVI"></a>CHAPTER XVI</h2> -</div> - -<blockquote> - -<p>Reception at Madame de Fuchs’s—Prince Philippe d’Hesse-Hombourg—The -Journalists and Newsmongers of Vienna—The French Village in -Germany—Prince Eugène—Recollection of the Consulate—Tribulations -of M. Denville—Mme. Récamier—The Return of the -<i>Émigré</i>—Childhood’s Friend, or the Magic of a Name—Ball at Lord -Stewart’s—Alexander proclaimed King of Poland—The Prince -Czartoryski—Confidence of the Poles—Count Arthur Potocki—The -Revolutions of Poland—Slavery—Vandar—Ivan, or the Polish Serf.</p></blockquote> - -<p>At one of the <i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">soirées</i> at the Comtesse de Fuchs’s, the -whole of the coterie had gathered round her—for she -also had her coterie. In default of diplomatic treaties, -her grace and friendship constituted its bond. The -conversation had turned on some news which, it was -said, had leaked out from the high deliberations of -the Congress.</p> - -<p>They were asking Prince Philippe d’Hesse-Hombourg -if the fate of his family’s Landgravate had been fixed, -either by the decisions on the Graben or by those of -the more serious Congress.</p> - -<p>‘Nothing as yet has transpired,’ he answered, ‘but -it is generally expected that the Principality will -receive a slight increase.’</p> - -<p>Thereupon he gave us some particulars as to the -origin of his house, one of the most illustrious in -Germany, both in virtue of its age and of its alliances; -though he himself had probably no idea of being -one day called upon to play the part of its ruler.</p> - -<p>‘The Principality of Hesse-Hombourg,’ he said, -‘presents one of the most curious freaks of modern -times. It is a small colony of French Huguenots, -which settled there at the time of the Revocation of the -Edict of Nantes. The Landgraf Frederick cordially<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_329">329</a></span> -welcomed those unhappy victims of their king’s -intolerance. He gave them land to till, and sold his -silver to come to their aid. They founded a village -to which they gave the name Friedrichsdorf. The -most curious thing is that for more than a hundred -years they have preserved, without the slightest alteration, -the language, the manners, the costume, in fact -everything connected with their country and their -century. It is a kind of republic, governed by their -minister. Isolated in their valley in the centre of -Germany, these men, though practically at the door -of their country, appear to have had no part or -parcel in the great events that have just been accomplished. -They have simply ignored the French Revolution, -or if not that, have heard little or nothing of it. -Though French at heart by habits, traditions, and -origin, they no longer think of the country which in -days gone by expelled their fathers.’</p> - -<p>‘In my travels,’ I said, ‘I likewise found a similar -colony, but one that pushed further on than the other. -It carried its household gods as far as Macarief in -Russia, It, also, preserved the language and customs -of its time, without even omitting the voluminous -wig which everybody knows.’</p> - -<p>I had drawn close to Prince Eugène. Most cruelly -upset by the events in course of completion, he, as it -were, instinctively turned to the past. His memory -striding, so to speak, across the decade of Empire, went -back with a sort of melancholy regret to the period of -the Consulate, which to him was a period of happiness, -for it had been that of hope. In truth, those four years -constituted a remarkable period; everything seemed -eager for a new birth, to emerge altered, if not -purified, from the confusion into which the saturnalia -of the Directorate had plunged it. At that moment -nothing had acquired any stability, but those who -had eyes to see perceived well enough that they were -advancing with giant steps towards a social regeneration. -There was a general, an irresistible, yielding to<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_330">330</a></span> -pleasure. It was not the licence which had preceded -it; it was like the distant and expiring sound of that -licence assuming a regular cadence day after day. -Lavishness was extreme; gold seemed, as it were, to -flow; military and administrative fortunes had been -made so rapidly as to leave people virtually in doubt -as to the real price which had been paid for them. -Numberless <i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">émigrés</i> setting foot once more in their -country, and finding their property practically unimpaired, -made up by constant enjoyment for the cruel -privations they had experienced in an alien land; -others, happy to have escaped either that or proscription, -followed suit, and freely scattered their fortunes, -which they had been within an ace of losing for ever. -Finally, as if everything conspired to the glorifying -of that period, consider this further: that it counted, -perhaps, the largest number of celebrated beauties. -Not that chance had absolutely provided a most -remarkable type of woman, but gold flung about by -handfuls brought to the fore women who, if they had -remained in an obscure position, would have probably -passed unperceived; placed on pedestals, they borrowed -from the world by which they were surrounded part -of the brilliancy which dazzled the beholder. We -reviewed all the joys of that remarkable period, and -we naturally came to the recollection of the woman -who was <em>the queen then</em>—Mme. Récamier. It was -at her house that forgathered the best society of the -time, and all that Paris held in the way of illustrious -strangers. In her seemed incarnated the elegance -and pomp of the moment. Prince Eugène had often -been a guest at those receptions, which Europe has -not yet forgotten.</p> - -<p>‘That period,’ I said to the prince, ‘will always -remain stamped on my memory, not only in virtue -of the brilliance of its fêtes or the glamour of our -military glory, but in virtue of a circumstance which -formed an epoch in my existence. You know, prince, -there are moments when fortune, weary as it were of<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_331">331</a></span> -taking you for its play-ball, suddenly lifts you from -the depths of despair to the heaven of glory. At -that time I had a very curious experience.’</p> - -<p>‘Which is the circumstance?’ promptly exclaimed -the Comtesse Laura. ‘You must tell us.’</p> - -<p>‘It is a very long episode; nevertheless, if you will -grant me your attention for a while, I will obey.</p> - -<div class="tb">* <span class="in2">* </span><span class="in2">* </span><span class="in2">* </span><span class="in2">*</span></div> - -<p>The most unforeseen resolutions are often due to the -most trifling causes: it was perhaps one word, a single -word, which decided my future. Everybody knows -the awkwardness of those pet names that one gives -to children, which continue up to a time when what -was once pretty and graceful becomes intensely -ridiculous. It was formerly the fashion in France, as -it was here, and for the matter of that everywhere, -to confer upon the very young that second baptism -of friendship. Of course it seems the most natural -thing in the world to do to-day what we did yesterday. -Consequently, in Paris as in Vienna, they called -tall, grown-up men, Fanfan, Dédé, Lolo, and other -sobriquets, very sweet, but utterly unsuited to the -men themselves. I ought to be a good special pleader -of that cause, for I also have been called by one -of those pet names, and I made a fine thing of it by -remembering it on one of the most eventful days of -my life. Yes, that rather ridiculous name was for -me a talisman worth all the charms of the fairies. -Napoleon had overthrown the contemned government -of the Directorate. Sufficiently strong to be merciful, -he allowed all those who had abandoned their country -in order to save their heads to come back again. I -had just left my ‘father’ in Amsterdam, he having -resolved to send me to Paris in order to see his business -man, and to find resources which were absolutely -lacking in the alien land. He confided me to one of -our countrymen, M. Clément, whose acquaintance we -had made in Holland, and who was going back to -France. We started together for Paris. We took<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_332">332</a></span> -up our quarters at the Hôtel de Paris in the Rue -Coquillière. M. Clément found letters from his family, -who had a few days previously left for Dijon, bidding -him to follow them instantly. On leaving me, -he entrusted me to the care of the manager, M. -Chandeau, a pastry-cook by trade, who was willing to -keep me there, though my appearance by no means -promised a profitable customer, or even one able -to settle a little bill. Nevertheless, I had a modest -room on the fifth floor at a rental of twelve francs per -month, and as for my meals, I arranged them very -much in accordance with the slenderness of my purse. -I prefer not to dwell upon this more than precarious -existence.</p> - -<p>Nevertheless, at the first going off, I thoroughly -felt the intoxication of being once more in my native -land. I had saluted Paris with the enthusiasm that -causes the sailor to shout ‘Land, land!’ after a long -absence. I was very young, but I had lived a good -deal in a few years. Storms and hurricanes, privation -and struggle, even hair-breadth escapes from death—I -had known them all. And yet it seemed to me that -as recently as the night before I had wandered under -the chestnut-trees of the Tuileries, and in the galleries -of the Palais-Royal, where I now found myself after -a three years’ exile. I was very excited while traversing -the Passages, the Places, the bridges, and I ran -along them quickly as if in deadly fear of their -escaping me once more. I looked at the Seine as if -she were an old friend, and still everything was new -to me, everything touched a chord of tenderness—even -the discordant cries of the itinerant vendors with -whom the streets of Paris swarmed. I felt as if I -were taking possession of it once more. At sixteen -there seems to be such a very long future before one. -All that is probable seems possible. One feels unconsciously -that by the right of one’s youth the command -of the world must devolve upon one. The awakening -from this dream was indeed very sombre.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_333">333</a></span> -I began by calling upon the business people whose -addresses my ‘father’ had given me. Some were -absent, others pretended to have lost all recollection -of us. I took care not to call upon my school-fellows -in order to arouse their pity, for I remembered -the words Colville had constantly repeated to -me at Hamburg: ‘Try to dispense with everything -rather than ask a service of the man whom you consider -your best friend.’ Consequently, as a rule, I -ascended to my perch dead with fatigue, and not at -all disposed to say with Pope ‘Whatever is, is right.’ -It is true that I got some sympathy from our poor -servant, Marie, to dispel the dejection plainly visible -on my face. The excellent creature always chose -stories calculated to make my blood curdle. ‘A few -months ago,’ she said to me, ‘a young and handsome -boy, named Denville, lived in this very room. From -morn to night he wrote—he was a savant—and then, -in order to get a little recreation, he sang, accompanying -himself on the guitar. Besides being a savant -he was an artist. All this was very well, but though -he spent very little, the poor boy never settled his -bill, and during the seven months he lodged at the -hotel no one had ever seen the colour of his money. -He promised well enough, but he wrote in vain -to his family, who lived in Rheims. There is none -so deaf as those who won’t hear, and not a cent came -from Champagne. There are some very hard-hearted -parents—very hard-hearted indeed. And that’s -why the young fellow so often repeated that no parent -comes up to a louis d’or, and that the staunchest -friend is the pawnshop.</p> - -<p>‘M. Chandeau, furious at getting nothing but -promises, lost patience, and only waited a favourable -opportunity to cease being made a dupe of, as he said. -One evening, when M. Denville had gone downstairs in -dressing-gown and slippers to buy some trifling thing -at the stationer’s opposite, M. Chandeau promptly -mounted the stairs, put a padlock on the door, and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_334">334</a></span> -practically sequestrated in that way the whole of his -lodger’s luggage. When the latter came back, purchase -in hand, he found on the landing his pitiless -creditor, telling him to seek shelter elsewhere.</p> - -<p>‘It’s inhuman, isn’t it, monsieur, to send one’s -debtor away like that, practically naked? Prayers, -promises, threats were not of the slightest use. The -young fellow was obliged to make the best of it, to -go down into the street, to promenade up and down -like a ghost, with the additional chance of perishing -with cold, for it was the middle of November. It -struck ten o’clock, and the shops began to close. The -poor young man did not know where to look for a -shelter, the only hope of such presenting itself to -him being the arch of a bridge, or the guard-room -of a military post. When he got as far as the -Point St. Eustache he was accosted by a poor -woman—a working woman—who, touched by the story -of his deplorable situation, took him to her room, -gave him some supper, and kept him like this for a -month, sharing everything with him. But the most -surprising part of the story is the end. The lover of -this poor girl was the servant of a general. The -general was looking out for a secretary. The servant -was sufficiently interested in this protégé of Providence -to share his clothes with him, just as the poor -girl had shared her crust of bread, after which he -presented M. Denville to his master. The general -took a fancy to M. Denville’s face, and engaged him, -and took him to the army in Italy, in which he was -to command a division.</p> - -<p>‘You must know, monsieur, that everybody who -goes to Italy and doesn’t happen to be killed, comes -back rich. That’s what happened to M. Denville. -On his return, he was absolutely bursting with gold. -He paid everything he owed to M. Chandeau. Better -still, he bought, exactly opposite the hotel, a little -mercer’s shop to make a present to the young girl -who had so charitably picked him up.’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_335">335</a></span> -As may easily be imagined, that kind of picture -did not give a particularly agreeable tinge to my -dreams. This great man, expelled from the room -that I was living in, and promenading down below -in the street in white, grasping his roll of paper, -appeared to me like the statue of the Commander to -Don Juan. In my anxiety I now and again substituted -the face and figure of my landlord, holding in one -hand his little bill, and the padlock in the other. I no -longer slept, and I scarcely ate. The mind was killing -the body, and I was certainly getting the worst of this -terrible struggle, of which I failed to see the end.</p> - -<p>I had been to the Hôtel Choiseul, which had been -inhabited by my family, and had been transformed -into an auction-mart. I wandered through its rooms, -every one of which was crowded with furniture and -goods offered to the highest bidder. (Subsequently, -part of the Opéra was built on the site.) Alas, -throughout my wandering I did not find a stick that -belonged to us; even the porter had changed, and, -however improbable and romantic it may seem, my -only friend of old was Castor, the poor watch-dog, who -still occupied his kennel. Pricking up his ears and -wagging his tail, Castor licked my hands when I -began to stroke him.</p> - -<p>Perhaps Castor’s friendliness directed my thoughts -to the old friends of my family. Among them I had -heard M. Récamier cited as the richest banker of his -time, and his wife as the foremost woman of fashion. -I knew Mme. Récamier before her marriage, and -when she first came to Paris. When we both were -children our parents lived in the same house. Our -games and our studies were often interrupted by the -scenes of the Revolution. I remembered the incidents -of those first years most vividly; but would she -remember them? I had lost sight of her completely -during those six years so crowded with events. A -kind of false shame kept me back. I could not make -up my mind to go and see her, amidst all her opulence,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_336">336</a></span> -in a condition bordering so closely upon a state of -poverty as mine. The days went by meanwhile, -and I had practically exhausted my last resources. -In vain had I tried to borrow money on the portrait -of Louis <span class="smcap smaller">XVI.</span>, the last gift of the ill-fated prince -to my ‘father,’ his faithful and devoted minister. -What interest had those money-changers in a prince -who was only great by his virtues, and who already -belonged to history?</p> - -<p>I informed my ‘father’ of my position; told him -of my various unsuccessful attempts, and asked him -for fresh instructions. I received in reply a letter -dated from Holland. He told me to remain for a -little longer in Paris, but if I did not succeed, to come -back to Amsterdam, where M. Vandenberg, the landlord -of our inn, would procure me the means to join -him, my ‘father,’ in England, whither important -affairs compelled him to proceed immediately.</p> - -<p>I shall never forget the night I spent after that -letter. There are situations too painful for description, -griefs that may be conceived, but cannot be expressed. -I already beheld myself without the slightest -resources in Paris; without a mother, without relations -or friends, and like those who seek but do not find, -who cry and who are made sport of, who would fain -attach themselves to some one, and are despised. I was -told to start for Amsterdam. How could I? I could -imagine what it must have cost my ‘father’ to write -that letter. Perhaps he believed that experience had -already given me the wisdom which, as a rule, only -comes with years, and that the journey of a thousand -leagues which I had made with him had taught me to -vanquish obstacles. On that occasion, though, I was -not alone: his courage sustained mine. In the present -instance, his absence left me no other support -than the future and God.</p> - -<p>My sleep was disturbed and agitated; it was not -rest, it was simply the temporary forgetfulness of my -trouble. I was looking forward to the cruel struggle<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_337">337</a></span> -with the world; I beheld myself flung amidst the -crowd to dispute for a crust of bread with the rest of -mankind. The days went by like centuries, for if -it be true, as the Prince de Ligne said, that happiness -has wings, misfortune has legs of lead. Poor misguided -creatures that we are! at fifteen we fancy that -we have exhausted fate; at the slightest storm we -bend our heads and say, ‘There’s no longer any hope.’ -And at sixty we still go on hoping.</p> - -<p>One resolution came from all those conflicting -ideas. It was high time; for I no longer saw the -faintest chance of staving off the crisis, or of temporising -with M. Chandeau, whose face became more sour -every day. I resolved to go to Mme. Récamier, whom -I knew to be at her country house at Clichy-la-Garenne. -I made up my mind to go and implore -her help, as one implores that of an angel from heaven -when everything on earth has failed.</p> - -<p>One fine May morning, I started from the Rue -Coquillière for Clichy. On my way, I tried to -screw my courage to the sticking-point by recalling -the happy times of my early youth, and in the conjuring -up of those pictures, the image of Mme. -Récamier, who had been the companion of my liveliest -joys and of my short-lived griefs, re-appeared continually. -Recalling, one by one, the proofs of her -genuine affection, always so lavishly bestowed, I -dismissed all fear that her immense fortune, her high -social position, would cause her to deny the friend of -her childhood, coming to her homeless, proscribed, and -unhappy.</p> - -<p>When I had reached the barrier which majestically -dominates Paris, I continued my route between some -sparse and poverty-stricken sheds across the fields. I -little dreamt that in a comparatively few years there -would arise on the spot a pretty town of fifteen -thousand inhabitants, with its cafés, its baths, and -its theatre, that would dispute with Passy the advantages -of being the Tibur of the literary men and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_338">338</a></span> -artists of Paris, frightened at the hubbub of the -city. At the other side of the hill which I had -slowly mounted, the soft and gently sloping greensward -landed me in the Avenue de Clichy. I felt -as light of heart under those century-old trees as if -I were returning to the paternal manor after a -morning’s sport, but at the sight of the gate of the -mansion, my assurance forsook me.</p> - -<p>Will she receive me? Will she recognise me? -My blood, overheated by my rapid march, froze in -my veins at the question. I should probably have -turned back, but for the knowledge that to advance -was the only chance of finding an asylum.</p> - -<p>When I got to the porter’s lodge I pulled the -chain, producing but a faint tinkling of the bell. It -had, nevertheless, been heard, for a voice from inside -told Laurette to open the gate. ‘Laurette,’ I said to -myself; ‘that name, no doubt, belongs to a young -girl, and the sympathy between our ages will probably -get me a favourable reception.’ The illusion vanished -almost immediately, and I should have been the first -to laugh at my blunder if at that moment my poor -heart had been at all susceptible to any kind of joy. -Instead of the little Laurette I expected—namely, a -kind of <i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">opéra-comique</i> shepherdess, with a beflowered -and beribboned crook—I beheld an old peasant woman, -wrinkled and bent down with years. Laurette was -dressed in a black and white striped kirtle, and her -crook was represented by the ponderous key of the -gate. In answer to my inquiries, she pointed to the -door of the hall; but her second reply convinced -me that she was deaf, for she kept gently shaking her -head and softly slapping her ears with her fore-finger.</p> - -<p>Trembling and uncertain, I stood rooted to the -spot, dreading to advance; for it is a cruel thing to -come to a friend’s door in the guise of a suppliant. -But the massive gate had turned on its hinges and -closed once more while Laurette re-entered her -pavilion, and I was thus compelled to advance.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_339">339</a></span> -Hence, I took my courage in both hands and -slowly crossed the court, still further slackening my -pace in ascending the steps of the ancient residence -of the Ducs de Lévis, both fearing and dreading to -reach the top. I rang the bell, and in answer a servant -appeared. Doffing my tri-cornered hat, considerably -too big for me, with that air of humility which -renders the man down on his luck so awkward, I -asked him, in a voice which I tried in vain to steady, -if I might see Mme. Récamier. From the way in which -he began to ‘take stock’ of me, I imagined that he -was in the habit of seeing many needy creatures -steer for this haven, and that, naturally, he classed -me among the crowd of the wretched which each -day solicited the inexhaustible charity of his mistress. -‘I’ll see if madame is at home,’ he said; ‘but what -name shall I say?’ I gave him mine, and, apparently -satisfied on that point, he bade me take a seat. -A few moments passed, and Joseph—that was the -name of the domestic—did not return. Devoured -with anxiety, I rose from the seat, which offered no -rest, and strode up and down the large hall, paved -with marble and hung with sombre portraits, paintings -of another age, worn out like the past, forgotten -like the past, and on the faces of which I tried in vain -to catch a favourable smile.</p> - -<p>Every one knows with what minute attention a man -coming to ask a favour scans the spot where he awaits -his fate. At last Joseph came back; but it was no -longer the semi-benevolent face that welcomed me on -my entrance.</p> - -<p>‘Madame is very sorry not to be able to see you -to-day, monsieur. Not having the honour of your -acquaintance, she would ask you to write to her about -the motive of your visit.’</p> - -<p>‘Not know me!’ my lips painfully murmured, -stupefied. I felt like one suddenly blinded. Everything -in this world seemed to fail me at once—the -present, the future, friendship, and my courage withal.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_340">340</a></span> -Tears, but badly hidden by the brim of my hat, coursed -down my cheeks. At sixteen one does still shed tears. -One has not acquired the courage which is only learned -in the school of adversity.</p> - -<p>Though distressed beyond measure at my own weakness, -I could not make up my mind to leave the -place. In fact, by that same wonderful process of -the imagination which in a few moments of sleep -shows you a long series of diverse objects, my imagination -pictured to me spontaneously the steep and -winding staircase leading to the attics of the Hôtel -de Calais, and my relentless landlord waiting there, -my bill in his hand, in order to bar further progress, -as he had barred it to my expelled predecessor. -There was more than this, however. Some horrid -words had in reality fallen upon my ear. Juliet, the -friend and companion of my infancy, no longer remembered -even my name. During this mental -colloquy, Joseph, rigid, motionless, constantly watching -a curtain in the hall, showed but too plainly -his impatience to close the door upon me for ever. -In spite of his looks, I did not budge. I felt it -impossible to abandon my last hope. All at once, by -one of the spontaneous inspirations often due to -desperate positions, it flashed upon me that during -my infancy I bore only a pet name, and that Mme. -Récamier never called me by any other. That was -enough. Tightly grasping Joseph’s arm, I exclaimed:</p> - -<p>‘Please, monsieur, go back to Mme. Récamier, -and tell her that it’s Lolo who has come back from -Sweden, who begs of her to see him for one moment.’</p> - -<p>To judge by Joseph’s face at this new request, I -felt certain that he considered me bereft of my senses. -The man was, no doubt, asking himself what possible -connection there could possibly be between Lolo, -Sweden, and his mistress. Consequently, he did not -seem disposed to attempt this new message, but -I begged so hard that finally he decided in my<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_341">341</a></span> -favour, just as one grants to a patient whose physician -has given him up the last whim from which he -expects his cure.</p> - -<p>Behold me alone once more, striding up and down -the huge hall, not even trying to restrain my fears -now that there is no stranger to witness them, and -recommending myself to that Providence which -hovered over our vessel in the storm-tossed Baltic, -which had protected me at Copenhagen, and from -Whom at that moment I seemed to request a miracle -not less decisive than any of the former to which I -owed my life.</p> - -<p>‘It often takes no more than a minute to settle a -man’s destiny,’ says an Arab poet, just as it suffices for -one ray of light from heaven to disperse a cloud. At -the most exciting part of my mental soliloquy I heard -in the distance a concert of feminine voices shouting -in all keys. One, however, dominated the rest; and -such a voice! That of the heavenly spirits painted -by Milton never made a more charming impression. -I recognised it at once. Then, immediately -afterwards, the door was flung open, and Mme. -Récamier, surrounded by three young girls as -beautiful as herself, rushed towards me, crying, -‘My friend, my poor Lolo, so it’s you!’ and her -eyes, fixed on mine, grew moist, while the most -grateful and refreshing tears I ever shed in my life -coursed freely down my cheeks. ‘Yes, it is I,’ I said.</p> - -<p>This, ladies, is one of the chapters in my chequered -life. You wished to hear it, and fashion alone must -be the excuse for telling it.</p> - -<p>This little story wound up the evening.</p> - -<div class="tb">* <span class="in2">* </span><span class="in2">* </span><span class="in2">* </span><span class="in2">*</span></div> - -<p>Next day the majority of us met once more at -a fête the dazzling pomp of which did not come up -to the more intimate happiness of the small circle at -the Comtesse de Fuchs’s. Lord Stewart, the English -ambassador, gave a grand ball at the magnificent -Stahremberg mansion, his residence, to celebrate the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_342">342</a></span> -birthday of his sovereign. Nothing had been -neglected to make the entertainment worthy of the -memorable circumstances, and of the power represented -by his lordship. Lord Stewart displayed a -magnificence—or, to speak correctly, a profusion—of -which few fêtes offered an example. His excellency, -however, who loved to be eccentric in everything, and -whose eccentricities were not always successful, had -hit upon the idea to add to his invitation a courteous -injunction to come to his ball in the costume of the -time of Elizabeth. His countrymen understood him -easily enough, and they were numerous in Vienna. -The remainder of the guests had not complied with -the request, but those who had adopted the costume -were sufficiently numerous to produce a very remarkable -effect. As to his excellency himself, he wore -his uniform of colonel of hussars, the scarlet of which -was covered with embroideries, and a great number of -orders, civil and military, to such a degree as to have led -one easily to mistake him for a living book of heraldry. -Save for that singularity the ball was like any other: -a great many sovereigns, princes, ‘grandes dames,’ -political celebrities; a marvellous supper; a charming -lottery of English trifles, which a lady dressed -exactly like Queen Elizabeth distributed to the guests. -After which we danced until daylight, a proceeding -becoming rarer and rarer every day in Vienna, -where the Court balls were seldom prolonged beyond -midnight.</p> - -<p>While all this was going on, the uncertainties of -the Polish question had ceased. The result of the -conferences of the Congress, which both Europe and -Vienna awaited with equal impatience, was at last -known. Alexander had been proclaimed King of -Poland. During four months this had been the exclusive -aim of his thoughts. His efforts, the ability -of his ministers, the profound correctness of their -views, had been crowned with success. The Duchy -of Warsaw and the handsomest part of the Polish<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_343">343</a></span> -territory were definitely incorporated with his empire. -The gate of the West was open to him. Among the -various phases of that negotiation, two things could not -fail to strike the mind—the clever diplomacy of the -Russian Government, and the confidence of the Poles. -When the fall of Napoleon dispelled the last hopes -of the Poles, they instinctively turned their regard -towards Alexander. Persuaded that he would restore -to them their ancient position, that he would reconstitute -in Poland an independent kingdom, they transferred -to him their affection and their hopes. Neither -the recollections of the past nor the lessons of history, -nor the warnings of some sagacious minds had succeeded -in opening their eyes. Alexander and his -ministry, it should be said, had carefully exploited -that disposition. A great parade was made of moderation. -The most seductive promises were lavished on -the Polish nation. Their dreams of independence, -their ideas of a free constitution, were constantly -flattered. The Russian officers in Poland received -orders to show the utmost deference to the civil and -military authorities. Finally, in the month of September -1814, even before Alexander crossed Poland -to appear at the Congress, when General Krazinski -entered Warsaw with his division, the Field-Marshal -Barclay de Tolly at the head of his staff had been -the first to congratulate him. The most cordial union -apparently existed between the generals of the two -nations.</p> - -<p>But from the first conferences of the plenipotentiaries, -and in spite of the protestations of the czar in -favour of the Polish nation, Alexander’s system of -aggrandisement was soon discovered.</p> - -<p>In vain did the King of Prussia, in close agreement -with him, support all his demands. The Congress -resisted a long while before giving its assent. France, -Austria, and England opposed an absolute refusal. -We have already seen how Alexander declared one -day that he would maintain, arms in hand, his pretensions<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_344">344</a></span> -regarding the freedom of Poland. Finally, -thoroughly tired out, the Congress gave way, and the -country of the Jagellons and the Sobieskis was united -to Russia. The decision had scarcely been made -public when Alexander announced it to the government -of Warsaw. In an autograph letter to Comte -Ostrowski, President of the Senate, the czar expressed -himself as follows:</p> - -<p>‘In assuming the title of King of Poland, I desire -to satisfy the wish of the nation. The Kingdom of -Poland will be united to the empire by the bonds -of its own constitution. If the supreme interest of -a general peace has made it impossible for all the -Poles to be united under one sceptre, I have made it -a point to soften the rigours of that separation, and -to secure for them everywhere a peaceful enjoyment -of their nationality.’</p> - -<p>Faithful to his system, Alexander shouted very -loudly from the house-tops the word ‘nationality’ -at the very moment when was accomplished and -consecrated the division which was to make havoc -of the word itself. Among the Polish notabilities -in Vienna who had defended the cause with most -intelligence and courage, one must mention in the -first rank the Prince Adam Czartoryski. The passionate -defender of the independence of his country, -he for one moment fostered the illusion of having -found the regenerator in Alexander. When the -emperor, during his voyage from Russia to Vienna, -stopped at Pulawi, the residence of this ancient -family, the princess-dowager, her two sons, Adam -and Constantine; her two daughters, the Princesse de -Würtemberg and the Comtesse Zamoyska, had prepared -the most brilliant reception. In their eyes it -was Alexander whose hand was to raise their country -from its ruin. Alexander, on his side, professed a -great esteem for the character of Prince Adam. Even -at the Congress the rumour ran for a moment that he -was going to appoint him his Minister of Foreign<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_345">345</a></span> -Affairs, instead of M. de Nesselrode, and that he -reserved the vice-royalty of Poland for him later on. -It was never known how far those rumours could be -substantiated. Was it a tribute to the loyalty and -talent of Prince Adam? Was it a means of leading -people astray? Afterwards Europe learned how that -prince became the martyr of the cause to which he -had devoted the whole of his life. What, in the -future, was to be the upshot of that decision of the -Congress? Placed under the sceptre of the Russian -autocrat, would Poland once more find her level -among the rank of nations, or, like the streams which -lose both their name and their substance, was Poland -to be swallowed up in the immense boundaries? -Such were the questions discussed one day in the -most lively manner at Princesse Sapieha’s. Around -her were the Comte Arthur Potocki, the Comte -Komar, the Prince Radziwill, the Prince Paul -Sapieha, the Princesse Lubomirska, the Comtesse -Lanskarouska, and several other ladies. Illusion is -nowhere so thoroughly permitted as when it becomes -a question of country; in that gathering, all hearts -were generally open to the hopes of a political restoration, -all minds believed in the realisation of -Alexander’s promises.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_346">346</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2><a id="CHAPTER_XVII"></a>CHAPTER XVII</h2> -</div> - -<blockquote> - -<p>The Emperor Alexander, the King of Prussia, and the Naval Officer—Surprise -to the Empress of Russia—More Fêtes—A Ball at M. de -Stackelberg’s—Paul Kisseleff—Brozin—Fête offered by M. de Metternich—The -Ball-room Catches Fire—Fêtes and Banquet at the Court—Ompteda—Chronicle -of the Congress—The Tell-tale Perfume—Recollection -of Empress Josephine and Madame de Tallien—A -Romantic Court Story.</p></blockquote> - -<p>One morning the Comte de Witt burst into my rooms -holding his sides with laughter. He scarcely waited -for me to ask him the reason.</p> - -<p>‘It’s a story just told to me by Ouwaroff. It’s very -funny, but though he got it direct from Emperor -Alexander, it is scarcely credible. A protégé of -the Comte de Nesselrode, a young sailor, who, -curiously enough, had never been to St. Petersburg -and did not know the emperor, had been sent -with important despatches to Vienna. Alexander, -here as well as in his capital, loves to wander about -the streets. This morning his Majesty, dressed in -a simple military great-coat, on leaving the palace -caught sight of a young naval officer, booted and -spurred, apparently trying to find his way, and -examining the entrance of the imperial residence, -totally at a loss how to set his helm. “You seem to -be looking for something,” said the emperor. “That’s -true,” answered the sailor. “I have got a despatch to -remit personally to the Emperor of Russia. They -told me to go to the Burg, and here I am; but as I am -a stranger in Vienna, I haven’t got a soul either to guide -or to introduce me.” Alexander was delighted with -the frank and open face of the young fellow, and just<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_347">347</a></span> -for the fun of the thing thought he would keep up -his <i xml:lang="la" lang="la">incognito</i> a little longer. “You’ll not find the emperor -now,” he said. “He’s not at the palace, but at -two o’clock he is sure to receive you.” The conversation -went on in the same amicable and familiar tone for -several minutes, the czar interrogating the officer on -his family, his career, and his prospects. The young -fellow tells him that, having entered the service when -he was very young, he has never been to Court and has -never seen his sovereign. Finally, after half an hour’s -walking about in conversation, Alexander, turning to -the young salt, says in an affectionate tone, “You can -give me your letter, sir, I am Alexander.” “That’s -a clever joke,” replies the other, laughing, “but you -don’t expect me to believe it.” “You may believe -it or not, but I am the Emperor of Russia.” “I dare -say—just as I am the Emperor of China.” “Why -shouldn’t you be the Emperor of China?” Alexander, -getting thoroughly amused with an adventure which -promises to become very comic, makes up his mind to -continue it a little longer. In a short time they reach -the fortifications, and Alexander espies the King of -Prussia coming towards him. “Do you know -German?” he asks of his companion. “Not a word,” -replies the other. Immediately Alexander takes a few -steps in front of him, and says a couple of words in -German to Frederick-William, then he comes back to -the young sailor, and takes him by the hand. “Here’s -an excellent opportunity of presenting you to the -King of Prussia,” he remarks. “Sire, an officer of -my fleet, whom I have the honour to present to your -Majesty.” “We are getting on rapidly,” says the -young fellow. “This gentleman is the King of -Prussia, you are the Emperor of Russia, and I am -the Emperor of China. Three sovereigns. After all, -why not, seeing that my captain says that after God -he is king on board his ship? Oh, by the by, how -are things in Prussia? Everybody all right in Berlin? -In truth that <em>was</em> a hero, and no mistake, your predecessor,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_348">348</a></span> -the great Frederick. Just like your ancestor, -Peter the First, of glorious memory,” he said, bowing -to Alexander. “But great though they may have -been, I doubt whether they would have imitated my -grandfather, who at the battle of Tchesmè blew up -his vessel and himself rather than surrender to the -Turks.”</p> - -<p>‘Although the talk savoured somewhat of insolence, -it was delivered by the sailor with that frankness and -gaiety which seem almost inseparable from his profession. -Not only were the two sovereigns unoffended, -but their laughter showed that they were -highly amused at it.</p> - -<p>‘Meanwhile, they had arrived at a little drinking-shop. -The officer most politely invited his companions -to sit down and to continue the conversation glass in -hand. Yielding to the fascination of the moment, -the two sovereigns accepted. Refreshments were -served. They sat down, and clinked glasses familiarly, -continuing their conversation without the slightest -restraint, and absolutely with the <em>abandon</em> of a royal -freak, in such a place. “To your health, brother,” -says Wilhelm of Prussia to Alexander of Russia. -“‘Pon my word,” is the latter’s answer, “it only wants -the usual salute from the batteries of our capitals -to complete the ceremony of that toast.” “So be it, -then,” says the sailor, taking hold of his pistol, and -preparing to load it. He was going to fire, and thus -draw a crowd, which would have transformed a comic -adventure into a scandal. They had a great deal of -trouble to prevent the danger of such a noisy demonstration. -Finally, they leave the place, but the sailor -obstinately insists on paying the expenses, and they -are bound to give in. At last they get outside the -tavern.</p> - -<p>‘Scarcely have they advanced a few steps on the -ramparts, when the crowd begins to surround the two -monarchs, with their accustomed marks of deference. -M. de Richelieu advances hat in hand, and addresses<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_349">349</a></span> -Alexander as “your Majesty.” The young officer, -who had served under the Duke of Odessa, recognises -him at once. He goes very pale and confused, for -he begins clearly to perceive that he has been the -victim of a royal mystification. He is, however, soon -reassured by the kindly look of Alexander, and he -promptly remits his despatches to him. The emperor -takes them with a gracious and significant smile, and -with the most kindly gesture dismisses the young -sailor, after having given him an invitation to dine -for that day. One thing is very certain—this bit of -royal pastime will push the other a great deal further -than twenty years of service, or the most signal action -on board his ship. He will have no need to go and -seek his recompense in heaven by the aid of a barrel -of gunpowder.</p> - -<p>‘But while our kings amuse themselves,’ the general -went on, ‘the empresses and queens refuse to remain -behind. You know that to-day is the birthday of -the Empress of Russia? Now, it has been written -that all the birthdays and all the holidays of the -calendar should be converted into opportunities for -pleasure; and pleasure seems to take good care that -none shall be overlooked. Yesterday morning the -Empress of Austria, the Grandes-Duchesses d’Oldenbourg -and Saxe-Weimar, dressed out in the strangest -manner, requested an audience, under assumed names, -of the Empress Elizabeth. After a little hesitation, -there was a mutual recognition, a great deal of -laughter, a great many magnificent presents were -offered, and, like the surprise, were accepted with the -utmost grace.’</p> - -<p>‘The Prince de Ligne, my dear general, in talking -of all those sovereigns, who appeared to be so -thoroughly intoxicated with pleasure, called them -“kings on their holidays.” In truth, seeing them -play pranks like children, we might call them “schoolboys -on their holidays.”’</p> - -<p>The comte was anxious that I should accompany<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_350">350</a></span> -him that evening to a grand ball at M. de Stackelberg’s, -the Russian Ambassador, in honour of his -sovereign’s birthday. I promised to do so, as it -was said that this was to be the last Russian fête; -for according to rumour the whole of the business of -the Congress would be finished before the carnival. -Several sovereigns were already thinking of leaving -Vienna, and Lord Castlereagh was called to London -by the opening of the English Parliament.</p> - -<p>Although similar rumours had run almost from the -very outset of the Congress, this time they were -invested with a kind of probability. Four months -had gone by since pleasure had thrown open to the -representatives of Europe the doors of the sanctuary -in which her fate was going to be decided. Peace, -and a durable equilibrium, would most likely be the -result of this long gestation. There remains nothing -to be said of M. de Stackelberg’s ball which has not -been said of any of the others. It really seemed as -if the representatives of the great Powers were -determined upon a contest in good taste and -magnificence.</p> - -<p>One of the first persons I noticed in this dazzling -crowd was General Ouwaroff, standing stock-still and -rigid according to his habit. He wore on his finger -that mysterious ring, which never quitted him, and -on which a death’s head was engraved. Was it a -reminder of the death of the Princesse S——, who -had poisoned herself for love of him? I have never -been able to discover. Close to him were Colonel -Brozin and the Comte Paul Kisseleff, both aides-de-camp -of Emperor Alexander. The first, a handsome -and brave soldier, had later on the dangerous honour -of succeeding his master in the heart of La Belle -Narischkine, for it was only given to Louis <span class="smcap smaller">XIV.</span> to be -beloved by a La Vallière, by a woman who gave -herself to God when she ceased to belong to her king. -The second, a soldier of the highest distinction, has -since then won for himself a well-deserved reputation<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_351">351</a></span> -as an administrator of Wallachia and Moldavia. He -at once evoked one’s sympathy for his intrepid and -brilliant character. Enthusiastic for everything which -was grand and noble, he had really a god-like reverence -for Alexander, whom he loved as a benefactor, -and whom he cherished in consequence of the natural -attraction which attaches two souls apt to understand -each other. General Paul Kisseleff has married since -the eldest daughter of the celebrated Sophie Potocka. -He is entrusted to-day with one of the most important -portfolios of the Russian empire.</p> - -<p>Here was the Prince Dolgorouki, the son of that -handsome Princesse Dolgorouki, to please whom -Potemkin had the fortress of Oczakoff shelled for a -whole night. He was surrounded by a numerous -circle, among whom one might easily distinguish the -Princes Gagarin and Troubastköy; the aide-de-camp -Pankratieff, etc.</p> - -<p>A little further on, Talleyrand is calmly conversing -with MM. de Wintzingerode and d’Hardemberg. -Amidst the noise and the animation of all this pleasure -his impassive features preserve the same calm visible -thereon in the Congress-room.</p> - -<p>Many waltzes and polonaises had been danced when -they asked the Princesse B—— to dance the tarantella, -that pretty Neapolitan dance which, in her -infancy, her young companions of the Parthenope -danced with her under the beauteous sky where she -was born. Acquiescing in a general wish, she placed -herself in the middle of the ball-room, made one or -two graceful bows, then seizing a tambourine, gave -the signal for the music to begin; and then performed -those voluptuous, light, and animated movements so -thoroughly in harmony with the air of Naples.</p> - -<p>Very often, when my recollections brought me -back to those fêtes in which I have seen the Russian -nobility at St. Petersburg, Moscow, and Vienna display -so much wealth and elegance, I have been -reminded of what my friend Count Tolstoy told me<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_352">352</a></span> -about the difficulties of Peter the First to make his -Boyards amuse themselves in a European fashion. -The opposition was so violent that he could only get -the better of it by publishing a long regulation, and -whosoever deviated from it exposed himself to the -most severe punishments. Although his inflexible -will had decided that those fêtes should have a -European character, they were too near to barbaric -times not to be tainted with their spirit. It was to -the sound of the drum that the Court balls were -announced in the city. The ladies repaired to them at -five o’clock in the evening. They had to be dressed -in the fashion prevailing in the Courts of Europe. -Only the empress, who was a Narischkine, was -exempt from the general law, and permitted to keep -to the dress of the Russian ladies. Peter, who never -tried to avoid the orders he imposed on others, stood -sentry at the door of the palace, a partisan in his -hand. Thus did Louis <span class="smcap smaller">XIV.</span> stand guard at the door -of the St. Cyr Theatre on the occasion of the performances -of <cite>Esther</cite>. The grandes-duchesses offered -refreshments to the guests: French wines, hydromel, -and strong beer. At the entrance door, facing the -emperor, stood a chamberlain, holding two urns containing -a great many numbered tickets. Each cavalier -and each lady, on entering the ball-room, drew one, -and willy-nilly found him- or herself associated with -the corresponding number, as in days gone by the -athletes of the pugilistic exercises in the Olympic -Games. The masked balls were still more extraordinary. -Disguise was resorted to by way of the -most curious costumes, and the rejoicing and the -dances were in harmony with the costumes.</p> - -<p>Only a very few years went by, and the tactics of -the illustrious reformer began to bear ample fruit. -Under Catherine <span class="smcap smaller">I.</span> and under Elizabeth, pleasure -followed the same direction as Russian influence and -power. The latter princess was especially fond of -masked balls. She gave a magnificent one on each<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_353">353</a></span> -New Year’s Day. The ladies were bound to appear -as men, and the men as women. The Empress, who -looked very well in male attire, was particularly fond -of that disguise. Then came the reign of Catherine <span class="smcap smaller">II.</span> -which seemed fated to exhaust all kind of glories and -pleasures. Apart from her magnificent carousals, one -is reminded of her receptions and balls at Tzarskoë-Selo, -and of the fêtes of Potemkin in the Palace of -the Taurus. Beyond these, imagination cannot go. -Finally, during the first years of this century, and at -the period of the Congress of Vienna, there was no -nation which understood pleasure better than the -Russians, and stamped that pleasure with such extreme -politeness and grandeur.</p> - -<div id="ip_353" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 30.4375em;"> - <img src="images/i_352.jpg" width="487" height="600" alt="" /> - <div class="caption"><span class="smcap">Prince Metternich.</span></div></div> - -<p>Consequently, each day saw a new fête succeed to -that of yesterday, without this continuation appearing -to bring satiety. While M. de Stackelberg celebrated -the birthday of his sovereign, Emperor Francis -invited for the same purpose the crowned heads, the -princes, and the other political or military notabilities -in one of the great halls of the imperial residence. -A splendid dinner had preceded the concert. Two -days before, the Prince de Metternich had also given a -great ball at which the majority of the guests of the -Austrian Court had been present. It has just struck -me that I am nearing the end of my course, and that -as yet I have not spoken of one of the most conspicuous -personages of our epoch. Almost everybody -has tried to portray M. de Metternich. Like M. de -Talleyrand, he has had all the honours of history bestowed -upon him during his lifetime, but although -his portrait has been traced more than once by more -skilful hands than mine, I cannot resist the desire to -show him as I was enabled to judge him—behind the -glamour of power and political reserve in which he -has lived since his youth. At that period M. de Metternich -might still pass muster as a young man. His -features were perfectly regular and handsome, his -smile was full of graciousness, his face expressed both<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_354">354</a></span> -benevolence and the most delicate intelligence. He -was of average height, and of elegant proportions. -Both his gait and demeanour were marked by much -nobleness. It is, above all, from the handsome design -of Isabey, representing the plenipotentiaries at the -Congress, that one may gain a more or less exact idea -of all those outward advantages of which he himself -was by no means insensible. At the first glance, -one felt delighted at seeing one of those men to -whom nature had vouchsafed her most seductive gifts, -and whom nature, as a rule, seems to take a delight -in calling only to the frivolous successes of a society -life. It was when attentively scanning his physiognomy, -at once supple and firm, and carefully scrutinising -Metternich’s looks, that the superiority of his -political genius at once became manifest to even the -superficial observer. ‘The society man’ disappeared, -and there remained nothing but the statesman, accustomed -to rule men and to decide important affairs. -Mixed up for twenty-five years with the gigantic -commotions that disturbed Europe, M. de Metternich -showed the lofty aptitude of his mind, and that rare -penetration and sagacity which can foresee and direct -events. His decision, the result of long meditation, -was immovable. His words were incisive, as they -ought to be from the lips of a statesman sure of the -drift of everything he says. I may add to this that -M. de Metternich is one of the most charming story-tellers -of our epoch. In politics he has been -reproached with his subserviency to the Law of Immobility; -certainly a lofty mind like his understood well -enough that it is impossible for man to remain -stationary, and that, in our age, to remain stationary -would be tantamount to retrogression. But he -also knew that sudden shocks do not constitute progress, -and that, in the government of man one ought -to take count of their habits and of their real wants. -If it be true that the moment has not yet come to -judge M. de Metternich definitely, contemporary history<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_355">355</a></span> -will be bound to admit the calm and cloudless -happiness which his immobile and silent government -has succeeded in imparting to the hereditary states -of Austria. That happiness, which seems to suffice -them, is already a title of glory one cannot easily -deny.</p> - -<p>The fêtes of M. de Metternich during the Congress -bore a peculiar stamp, altogether in harmony with -his personality, if one may express it in that way. -To the most thoroughly experienced lavishness, to -an extreme minuteness of detail, there was added a -grandeur absolutely without embarrassment. It was -towards the end of January that this fête took place. -The <i>locale</i> chosen was M. de Metternich’s country -estate, a short distance from Vienna. Though the cold -was excessive, the number of guests was immense, -and, as usual, comprised all the illustrious personages -of Europe and the handsomest women of the moment. -The prince and princess discharged their social duties -with a certain coquettish grace—a grace which tends -to disappear now that people believe they have done -everything by throwing open their drawing-rooms. -Truly, watching this illustrious host, and the pains -he took to please his guests, one could but remember -how, at the beginning of his career in Paris, he had -shone by the brilliancy of his manners. And, though -his position had become immeasurably greater since -then, it had made no difference to a courtesy which -must always be a powerful auxiliary in the hands of -such a man. A magnificent ball-room had been constructed -for that fête in the garden itself, and had -been decorated with all the pomp and lavishness that -had really become a matter of course. The stands -were tenanted by women dazzling in youth and -elegance, who vied with the masses of colour supplied -by the uniforms, decorations, and embroideries occupying -the middle of the floor.</p> - -<p>Next morning an alarming rumour spread that this -elegant ball-room had been partially ruined during<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_356">356</a></span> -the night by a fire. Vienna is quite as prolific in -superstitious people as other places, and the untoward -event served as a text for several prophecies. They -recalled the accidents that had marked the marriage -of Louis <span class="smcap smaller">XVI.</span>; they recalled the fire at the mansion of -the Prince de Schwartzenberg at Paris at the moment -of the union of Napoleon with the daughter of the -Cæsars—a sad analogy with the fates occasioned by -his fall in the capital of his father-in-law, and not far -distant from the place of exile of his wife and his -son. The high position of M. de Metternich in the -debates of Europe; the presidency which his colleagues -had spontaneously and simultaneously conferred -upon him—all this was calculated to give still -greater consistency to all those lugubrious conjectures.</p> - -<p>A few days later, without taking the slightest notice -of any of the predictions of the Viennese Nostradamuses, -the Austrian Court joyfully celebrated the -birthday of the King of Denmark, of the Queen of -Bavaria, of the Duke of Saxe-Weimar, and of the -Grand-Duke of Baden, all happening on the same -day. A grand state-fête, to which the public were -admitted as spectators, united all the crowned heads. -I followed the crowd, anxious to witness a sight -which was not likely to renew itself within my days. -It was in reality something very important, that -banquet, both by the number and rank of its guests.</p> - -<p>‘Sire,’ ‘your majesty,’ might be heard at each -corner of every table; royal highnesses, imperial -highnesses, grand dukes, dukes, etc., were practically -speaking, so many small-fry. If one added to all -this the rank of the officers in attendance, equerries, -cup-bearers, pantlers, most of these holding high -rank; if one still further adds thousands of wax -candles, causing the crystals to glint and to sparkle, -and reflecting their light in the massive gold plate; -if we still add the perfume of flowers mingling with -the harmony of the instruments, the sweet familiarity,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_357">357</a></span> -the intimacy of those masters of the world tempering -the majesty of their gathering—if we consider all -this, it will be admitted that the spectacle was likely -to remain a unique one.</p> - -<p>It was during these gala-fêtes that they served those -famous Tokay wines, the exorbitant price of which -is estimated at between a hundred and twenty and -a hundred and fifty florins a bottle. The emperor -had some in his cellars which was more than a century -old; the precious nectar was only brought forth on -solemn occasions, when it was necessary to drink the -health of this or that sovereign, or to celebrate this -or that grand anniversary. Chance had placed me not -far away from the Baron Ompteda. We left together -to go to the theatre of the Carinthian Gate. The main -attraction was <cite>Flore et Zéphire</cite>, a ballet performed -by the dancers of the Paris Opéra. The house was -full, as usual. Indifferent to the entrechats and the -pirouettes, I strolled about with Ompteda, pretty -well certain that, if he were in the mood, I should -soon be posted in all the particulars of the Congress, -no one being more capable than he of attractively -dishing up both the news of the Graben and of the -drawing-rooms.</p> - -<p>‘What is the news?’ I asked of my sprightly -companion.</p> - -<p>‘Everything is over or nearly over. All the -clouds are dispersed. Europe owes the happy issue -of the negotiations to the departure of Lord -Castlereagh.’</p> - -<p>‘Was Milord, then, the only obstacle to peace?’</p> - -<p>‘No, you are wrong. It is not that. For the last -four months they have been debating without coming -to an agreement. All at once Lord Castlereagh is -called to England for the opening of Parliament. -You may easily conceive that he couldn’t return -empty-handed; consequently he put some life into -the deliberations, and hurried the conclusion of affairs, -in order to show some results. What a pity it is<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_358">358</a></span> -the other nations haven’t some parliaments to be -opened!</p> - -<p>‘The Austrian Court is right enough,’ the Baron -went on. ‘The European Areopagus has decided -upon the fate of Naples and its imprisoned King -Joachim. Its throne is going to be restored to the -Bourbon branch. You are aware that the Imperial -Chancellery decided not to notify officially the death -of Queen Caroline, not knowing what title to give -her. That bit of awkwardness has disappeared too.’</p> - -<p>‘Yes, I remember that they took hold of a very -honest pretext. The Court, it was said, would not -cast a damper on the fêtes of the Congress by shedding -official tears for the daughter of Maria-Theresa. In -reality, the Court did not dare, or did not want, to -decide the question of etiquette reserved for diplomacy, -and now they are going to assume mourning for the -poor queen at the moment when it would be more -sensible to sing a <cite>Te Deum</cite> for the return of her -husband to the throne of his fathers.’</p> - -<p>‘One of your influential diplomatists here has a -sweet trick of his own to get news from Paris to -Vienna for the purpose of dishing it up in a peculiar -fashion. He sends to his wife, Madame la Duchesse, -the draught of a despatch. The docile secretary -transcribes it, and a week after the carrier brings it -back. Then they show, under the seal of the greatest -confidence, notes from the Court of the Tuileries which -have neither been dictated nor put in cypher there. -In reality, they might save them the jolting of the -journey.</p> - -<p>‘Oh, by the by, have you heard of the duel which -has just been fought between the Prince de ——, and -the Comte ——?’</p> - -<p>‘Yes, I have heard that the two champions were -both wounded, but were so little hurt that their -friends are not in the least uneasy.’</p> - -<p>‘The Vienna public,’ remarked Ompteda, ‘would -indeed be surprised if it knew the cause of the quarrel.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_359">359</a></span> -The wife of one of these gentlemen has an unfortunate -mania for scents, or rather for one scent of -which she claims to be the inventor. It’s a mixture -of rose-water and musk, sufficiently strong to set all -the Italian women troubled with vapours running. -Inasmuch as the lady, who is still very good-looking, -though by no means in the first flush of youth, goes -out a great deal, that undesirable perfume is so -well known that she couldn’t enter a room without -her presence being betrayed by it. It so happened -that one fine morning her husband, the Prince —— -walks into the rooms of his friend the Comte ——. -In less than a second his nostrils are assailed by a -scent which he knows but too well, and he exclaims, -“My wife has been here.” “Your wife,” replies the -comte. “Not at all.” “You deny it! Well, then, -she is still here, and if I begin to look for her, the -scent will do the rest for me very shortly.” In consequence -of this violent explanation, in which the one -denies and the other affirms, the two friends draw -their swords in the room itself, and while each wounds -the other, the lady escapes by a back staircase. The -mishap ought to have cured her. She continues, -nevertheless, to drench herself with that damnable -perfume, which might well be called the Tell-tale -Scent.’</p> - -<p>‘People are very sorry about the accident which -cost the young Duc Louis d’Aremberg his life. You -know that he was thrown from his horse on the flagstones -of the Josef Platz, and when they lifted him up -he was dead. It appears that birth is no guarantee -against the thunders of the gods. The father of the -young duke lost his life out hunting. His mother -was guillotined in France. His brother was exiled -in consequence of a duel in which he killed his -adversary; his sister perished in the historic ball -given by Prince Schwartzenberg in Paris. Was it -worth while to call oneself d’Aremberg to be a prey -to all these misfortunes?’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_360">360</a></span> -‘You were not at the last ball of Gey-Müller, the -banker?’</p> - -<p>‘No, but I was at the similar fête at Arnstein’s, -and it was really a curious sight to me to see the -financial world rivalling the Austrian Court in display, -and perhaps surpassing it.’</p> - -<p>‘The most particular feature of the Gey-Müller ball -was not so much its profusion, its elegance, its exquisite -supper, as a fall—not the fall of an empire, to -which people are pretty well used by now—but the -fall of the handsome Madame Pereyra, the daughter -of Baron Arnstein. She was waltzing with Prince -Dietrichstein. Carried away by the rapidity of that -Russian waltz, which is like a whirlwind, and getting -caught in the folds of her dress, she fell with her -partner, and both rolled amidst the crowd. You may -imagine their confusion. Truly, princes with the name -of Maurice seem to be pursued by a kind of fatality. -At the imperial <i>carrousel</i> you saw Maurice Lichtenstein -flung into the middle of the arena with his horse, -and now there is this other Maurice who gyrates on -his back instead of turning round on his legs. However, -there is no accounting for taste.’</p> - -<p>‘Don’t joke about it, dear baron, for you are unwittingly -stoning me. A similar adventure happened -to me in the Salon des Étrangers at Paris. Fortunately, -my pretty partner was masked, which saved -her the trouble of blushing. I, moreover, owed to -this fall the overhearing of a conversation which, at -that period, had all the interest of a scene from a -drama.</p> - -<p>‘It was during the first years of the Consulate. -The best society of Europe flocked to Paris. France, -probably anxious to get as much joy out of life as -she could after the bloody scenes of the Revolution, -seemed to do everything to forget. The rooms at -Frascati were the resort, or rather the temple, of -pleasure. In one part of the building people of every -rank and of both sexes came to risk, under the disguise<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_361">361</a></span> -of a domino, the fruits of twenty years’ work, or the -product of more ingenious speculations. In another -spot, screened by a slight surface of cardboard and a -silk wrap, the most piquant, political, or amorous -intrigues went on. Further on, quadrilles, in which -figured Vestris, Bigottini, and Millière, displayed all -their grace and suppleness. I was waltzing with -Madame R——. The crowd surrounding us was -immense. Getting caught in the folds of her domino, -my partner stumbles, falls, and bears me down with -her. We were immediately on our legs again, but, -somewhat excited by the accident, Madame R—— -asked me to take her outside the room. Fortunately -for us, we ran against the Marquis de l’Ivry, who -had us taken to his own apartments higher up. The -purer air and some stimulant soon got the better of -the discomfort of Madame R——. We were just -getting ready to go down to the ball-room again -when we heard a lively conversation in the adjacent -apartment. Beaumarchais has said that in order to -hear, you must make up your mind to listen. Persuaded -that it was nothing but a ball intrigue, we got -nearer to the partition, and through its very thin -substance we distinguished two female voices. We -were about to draw back disappointed, when the -name of Bonaparte struck our ear. That name, the -talisman of the period, having attracted our attention -once more, we heard one of the ladies say—“I give -you my word, my dear Teresina, that I have done -everything friendship could expect of me, but that -it’s all in vain. This morning I made a new attempt, -but he will not listen to anything. In fact, I have -been asking myself what could have prejudiced him so -strongly against you. You are the only woman whose -name he has struck off the list of those admitted to -my familiar intercourse. Being afraid of his affronting -you personally—a thing for which I would never -console myself—I ventured to come here alone with -my son. At the Château they think I am in bed, but<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_362">362</a></span> -I wanted to see you to quiet your own mind, and to -justify myself.”</p> - -<p>‘“I have never doubted either your heart or your -affection, Josephine,” replied the other lady. “Their -loss would be a thousand times more painful to me -than Bonaparte’s prejudices. My conduct has been -sufficiently dignified to make my visits appreciated, -and certainly I shall pay you none without his knowledge. -But does he not remember that the first step -of Tallien after the 10th Thermidor was to open -for us the cell where we were both awaiting our -death sentence? Can he forget that the man whose -name I bear provided for your children throughout -your captivity? Those children—his own now—were, -without doubt, not consulted before he forbade -you my company. He was not Consul when -I shared with you—but pardon me, Josephine, O, -forgive me!”</p> - -<p>‘Here there was a burst of sobs, preventing me -hearing every word.</p> - -<p>‘“Calm yourself, my dear Teresina. Let us -allow the first storm to go by, and everything -will turn out for the best. But above all, don’t -let us irritate him still further. He is very incensed -with Ouvrard, and people say he is at your house, -or expected.”</p> - -<p>‘“Oh!” replied Teresina, indignant, “is that it? -Does he pretend to tyrannise over our hearths because -he happens to govern France? Must one sacrifice -even one’s dearest and closest affections?”</p> - -<p>‘As she spoke these words there was a knock at -the door. It was Eugène de Beauharnais, who came -to fetch one of these ladies.</p> - -<p>‘“Let us go,” he said. “You have been here more -than an hour. The Council is perhaps finished, and -what would the First Consul say if he failed to find -you at home?”</p> - -<p>‘We stole away on tiptoe, Madame R—— and I.</p> - -<p>‘“Let’s leave the ball,” I said, going down.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_363">363</a></span> -“Whatever we may see there is not worth what we -have just heard.”</p> - -<p>‘One of these ladies was Josephine, she who in a -short time was to be Empress. The other was -Madame Tallien, as famous for her striking beauty as -for her energetic character; to whom France owed the -overthrow of Robespierre.’</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_364">364</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2><a id="CHAPTER_XVIII"></a>CHAPTER XVIII</h2> -</div> - -<blockquote> - -<p>The Comte de Rechberg’s Work on the Governments of the Russian -Empire—The King of Bavaria—Polish Poem of Sophiowka—Madame -Potocka, or the Handsome Fanariote—Her Infancy—Particulars -of her Life—A Glance at the Park of Sophiowka—Subscription -of the Sovereigns—Actual State of Sophiowka.</p></blockquote> - -<p>The Comte Charles de Rechberg had written an -interesting work on the fifty-two governments of the -Russian Empire. The book, both historical and -picturesque, deals with the ethnology of the peoples -from the Great Wall to the Baltic, and from the -Crimea to the Pole. It contains an exact description -of the various provinces considered in their political -and commercial aspects, and researches on the -archæological curiosities still to be found there, which -study is calculated to elucidate some migrations of the -primitive peoples. The greatest lavishness had been -displayed in this publication, which was enhanced by -magnificent coloured engravings. The price, which -varied from 1800 to 2500 francs, might have been -an obstacle to the success of the work; fortunately -Rechberg found one of the most powerful auxiliaries -in his sovereign, the King of Bavaria. From having -been the patron of the Altar, that excellent prince -wanted to become the patron of the Book. He recommended -it everywhere, with that particularly happy-go-lucky -and paternal unaffectedness which made him -positively worshipped by every one. He solicited subscriptions, -and thanks to this benevolent intervention, -the comte disposed of a great number of copies. -Such a success, obtained in a gathering of so many -diverse personages, gave me the idea of likewise<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_365">365</a></span> -printing a work, inspired by the Muse of Poetry. In -1811 I had spent at Tulczim, the seat of Comtesse -Sophie Potocka, a twelvemonth which was practically -tantamount to a whole lifetime if counted by the -happiness vouchsafed to me then. Very often I -accompanied the countess to Sophiowka, a garden -situated close to Humeng, and one of the most charming -creations the mind could conceive. The Comte -Félix Potocki, in order to immortalise the woman -whom he worshipped, had given proof of a magnificence -in taste which surpassed everything Europe had -to show of that kind. Trembecki, the most celebrated -poet of Poland, had at the age of seventy recovered all -the fire of his youth, and composed on that garden a -poem which practically passes for a masterpiece. There -are, in fact, few educated Poles who do not know -some fragments of that poem by heart.</p> - -<p>This double claim to immortality was worthy of -the woman whose beauty was proverbial, and whom -fortune had been pleased to guide from an obscure -position to the summit of the most opulent and conspicuous -nobility of Europe. Her history would constitute -a remarkable episode of her own time if there -were nothing in her life but the extraordinary fact -of having been sold twice—in the first place by her -mother, in the second by her husband. But when one -has seen, as I have, the pomp of her fêtes, the unprecedented -value of her precious ornaments, the grandeur -of her palaces, and the extent of her power, then one -becomes confounded at those elevations of fortune -due to love—to nothing but love, that magician -without a rival. Madame Potocka was born at Constantinople. -It is well known that the great Greek -families residing in that city have experienced all the -vicissitudes of fortune as a consequence of revolutions. -It is not surprising, therefore, to see in the Fanariote -quarter the members of those ancient and princely -races pass, at one fell stroke, from extreme opulence -to extreme poverty, and often be obliged to engage in<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_366">366</a></span> -this or that profession, if not in a downright trade. -In a small street, not far from the palace of Sweden, -there lived a poor artisan, though he was an undoubted -descendant of the Commenius family. He had several -children, and among these a girl whose nascent beauty -was the admiration of the whole of the neighbourhood, -and the envy of all her companions. M. de -B——, a French gentleman, secretary to the embassy, -was one day slowly riding through the streets of -Pera, accompanied by a janissary of the Palais de -France. Near the tomb of the Comte de Bonneval, -who became a Turkish subject, the rider perceived a -group of children, and among them a young girl, -between thirteen and fourteen, such as only the -beautiful race of Greece can produce. Struck by her -beauty, he gives her a sign to come up to him, and, a -diplomatic functionary being a kind of power at Pera, -the child obeys. The marquis gets off his horse, -asks the child’s name, and begins to inquire about -her family. ‘My name is Sophie,’ replies the child. -‘We are Greeks by origin, and from what my mother -says, well born, but a series of misfortunes has reduced -us to work for our living. My father is a baker.’ -The marquis is absolutely dazzled by the child’s -beauty, he is touched by the sound of her voice, he -admires her mind, at once innocent and precocious. -After a few other questions, he leaves Sophie, telling -her, however, that he will expect her mother at the -French Embassy. Next morning the poor woman -is true to the appointment. Interrogated about -her position, she confesses, amid bitter tears, that -they are very poor, and that their labour is insufficient -to keep the relentless creditors from the door. Thereupon -the marquis proposes to take care of her daughter, -to take her to France, and winds up by offering the -mother fifteen hundred piastres to provide for her -most pressing needs. The mother at first refuses. -There is, however, to begin with, the money which -would put an end to their difficulties; and, moreover,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_367">367</a></span> -the brilliant future for her well-beloved daughter. -Finally, after many tears, hesitations, and heart-burnings, -she gives her consent to the great sacrifice. -The document surrendering her daughter duly signed -and sealed, she receives in exchange the fifteen hundred -piastres—a very feeble compensation for the -treasure she was handing over: a monstrous transaction -from our point of view no doubt, but less -surprising in a country where one is accustomed to -see a woman become an article of barter. Invested -with paternal rights, M. de B—— scrupulously discharged -them. He improved Sophie’s education, -which, as may be easily imagined, had been more than -neglected. He lavished all his care upon her, gave -her professors, and, art seconding nature, Sophie at -sixteen had grown into a model of beauty and perfection -in every <i>genre</i>. At that time he was recalled -by his Court, and, to spare his pupil the dangers of -a sea-voyage, he intended to come back by way -of Poland and Germany. After traversing European -Turkey, he reached Kaminiek Podolski, the first -fortress of the Russian frontier.</p> - -<p>The Comte Jean de Witt, the descendant of the -great Dutch Pensionary, was its governor. He welcomed -the noble traveller with the utmost courtesy -and attention, and induced him to stay for some -little time at Kaminiek; but the desire for the -marquis’s company and the consideration due to -his rank were not the only causes of the comte’s -pressing invitation. The general had not been proof -against Sophie’s charms, and had become passionately -enamoured of her. Informed by her of her real -position, knowing that she was neither servant nor -mistress, but simply a kind of chattel for fifteen -hundred piastres, he did not scruple to follow up his -love-declaration by an offer of marriage. The comte, -a very handsome man, and barely thirty, was already -lieutenant-general, and in great favour with Catherine -the Second. The far-seeing Greek girl was sensible<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_368">368</a></span> -enough not to refuse this first chance, and without -a moment’s hesitation she accepted the hand offered -to her.</p> - -<p>Nevertheless, it was perfectly plain to both that -the diplomatist would not willingly part with a -possession on which he set so much store. The -general-governor therefore bided his time until his -excellency took a solitary ride outside the fortress. -To guard against surprise, he had the drawbridges -raised, then repaired to the church with Sophie, and -a priest gave the young couple his blessing. While -the ceremony was drawing to an end, to the ringing -of all the steeples of Kaminiek, his excellency presented -himself before the moat of the place, asking to -be let in. He was informed of what had happened, -and to corroborate the story they showed him the -marriage-certificate duly signed and sealed, and -in accordance with the <i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">dénouement</i> of every well-constructed -comedy.</p> - -<p>And in order to spare the handsome delinquent -the severe reproaches which in reality her ingratitude -and her hurried desertion would have fully justified, -the general sent word to the members of his excellency’s -suite to pack up their traps and to join their chief -without the walls. They were also to take back all -the gifts Sophie had received from the marquis, not -even excepting the fifteen hundred piastres of the -primary contract; and the young bride added a letter -full of excuses for having disposed of her hand and -heart without the permission of her second father. -M. de B—— could only give vent to his anger, not -unjustified, by imprecations on and reproaches to -those who were not to blame. Perfectly convinced, -though, that he could not remain all his life contemplating -the walls of the fortress, and that there -was no probability of the two Courts suspending -amicable relations to revenge an affront without a -remedy, and to enforce restitution of another Helen to -another Menelaus, the marquis pursued his journey,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_369">369</a></span> -determined not to be caught a second time trafficking -with a merchandise no doubt precious in its -way, but only precious when it is given and not -sold.</p> - -<p>After a honeymoon which lasted several years, and -during which a son was born to him, the Comte de -Witt obtained leave of absence, and journeyed to -all the Courts of Europe with his beautiful Greek. -Practically, theirs was a triumphal procession. The -wondrous beauty of the girl, enhanced by all the -sensuous and piquant charms of the East, transformed -the tour into a kind of series of fairy tales. It was -at that period that the Prince de Ligne, who at first -gave me all those particulars, afterwards confirmed -by Sophie herself, saw her at the Court of France. -He subsequently saw her at the siege of Ismaël, -where she was particularly distinguished by Prince -Potemkin. Kings, statesmen, warriors, philosophers—all -gave one the idea, in their intercourse with the -beauteous Sophie, of Socrates, Pericles, and Alcibiades -crowding around Aspasia to purify their taste and -to sharpen the edge of their oratory.</p> - -<p>The second period of her life was practically a -marvellously fit completion of the first. The Comte -Félix Potocki, at the commencement of the troubles -in Poland, had, by the influence of his rank and -his immense fortune, gathered around him a great -party. Momentarily absent from his Court, he was -on his way back from Italy when, at Hamburg, he -fell in with Comte and Comtesse de Witt. He -became ardently enamoured of Sophie, and without -entering into the details of a story which, though short -enough, was full of incidents, I pass to the <i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">dénouement</i>, -which he accelerated in a novel fashion. Nothing is -easier in Poland than a divorce. The abuse of the -law is carried to such an extent that I have known a -M. Wortzel who had no fewer than four living wives -bearing his name. The Comte Potocki took advantage -of this state of things. Having taken all the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_370">370</a></span> -necessary measures beforehand, he went to see the -Comte de Witt one morning.</p> - -<p>‘I can no longer live without your wife,’ he said. -‘I am certain that I am not indifferent to her. I -prefer to owe my happiness to you, and to preserve -an eternal gratitude. Here are two documents. The -one is an act of divorce, and only wanting your -signature; your wife’s is already there. The other is -a voucher for two millions of florins to be paid by my -banker this morning. Let us terminate this affair in -an amicable way, or in another way if you like, but -let’s terminate it.’</p> - -<p>The husband, no doubt, remembered the drawbridges -of Kaminiek. He made the best of a bad -business, like the French embassy-secretary, and -signed; and handsome Sophie, from Comtesse de -Witt as she was, became that same day Comtesse -Potocka, this time adding to the prestige of her beauty -the advantage of a wealth which had not its equal in -Europe. At one moment there seemed even a higher -destiny in store for her, when in 1791 the majority -of the grandees of Poland had agreed to sacrifice -a part of their privileges to procure the appeasement -of their country. Catherine, to give more importance -to this confederation, decided that Potocki should be -its chief. To induce him to accept the position, she -even dangled the crown before his eyes. One day, at -the end of a solemnity, she took her diadem from -her brow and placed it on the head of Potocki, saying, -‘This would suit you admirably well, comte.’</p> - -<p>Everybody knows the sequel of this comedy, and -how the pledges were kept. When that dream was -over, Potocki simply studied to make the woman he -idolised thoroughly happy. The art, the talent, the -pomp and splendour of various parts of the world -were all called into requisition to add to her happiness. -To satisfy her desires and her slightest fancies, -he absolutely realised all that the imagination may -conceive in the way of fairy tales. One day she<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_371">371</a></span> -expressed a wish for a set of pearl ornaments. The -count asked for a twelvemonth to offer one worthy of -her. He sent to every capital of Europe and Asia -the drawing of a pearl, and informed the jewellers -that he would pay a thousand louis for each one that -equalled the model in size and brilliancy. They -gathered a hundred, and at the next St. Sophia’s day -he clasped round the charming neck of his wife a -necklace worth a hundred thousand louis.</p> - -<p>At the death of Comte Potocki, Sophie practically -found herself at the head of his colossal fortune, either -in virtue of direct personal gift or as the trustee -of the children born of her second marriage. It was -shortly after this that I made her acquaintance at St. -Petersburg, and accompanied her to her estate at -Tulczim. Even at that period the celebrated Sophie -was a most ravishing creature. Her beauty was -really marvellous, and reminded me of nothing so -much as the models the Greek statuaries of old must -have employed to create their divinities.</p> - -<p>It would require volumes to convey an idea of the -life led at Tulczim. Sophie saw life from so high a -point that she no longer seemed to belong to the -world surrounding her, which her beauty kept incessantly -at her feet. It was not that she was vain -or imperious, but she was beautiful, and she knew it. -This never-ceasing worship had made an idol of her, -and from the altar on which they had placed her, she -paid the incense with a look and the praise with a -smile. Queen in virtue of her beauty, she seemed to -say, ‘The world—I am the world!’ Her palace was -the temple of hospitality. The stranger who came to -ask an asylum was royally put up for a fortnight: -horses, carriages, and servants were placed at his disposal, -without his being obliged to show himself to -his hostess, but on the sixteenth day he was to present -himself, if only in order to take his leave. And -that sort of thing, be it remembered, was practised, -not under the tent of the Arab of the desert, nor in<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_372">372</a></span> -the hut of a Laplander, but in an enchanted palace of -which Sophie was the Fairy Queen. No wonder that -she often said, ‘People have paid me visits at Tulczim -which have lasted for three years.’ I remember, -among others, a fête she gave to Madame Narischkine, -Alexander the First’s friend. It lasted for three -days. About the same period I accompanied her on -a journey to the Crimea, to take possession of some -territory which had been granted to her by an imperial -favour, and on the site of which she wished to found -a town named Sophiopolis.</p> - -<p>At the eastern point of the Crimea there uprises a -double promontory. On that spot stood the temple -whose priestess was Iphigenia. Between those two -promontories lies the delightful valley where reigns -eternal spring. The olive- and orange-trees grow -wild. The Greeks, fitly to render homage to the -beauty of the spot, called it Kaloslimen. It was -there that Sophiopolis was to be erected. We got to -the summit of Cape Laspi. The countess built a -pavilion there whence she could inspect the works. -It was on the same spot that Catherine <span class="smcap smaller">II.</span> was struck -with admiration at the sight of the picture unfolded -before her, regretting that the Euxine, which rose to -the horizon, hid Constantinople from her.</p> - -<p>Wishing to perpetuate the memory of the woman -whom he had so deeply loved, Comte Potocki decided -that the gardens should bear the name of Sophie, and -should surpass in magnificence, as well as in taste, all -that antiquity and modern times had that was most remarkable. -To realise this project he chose a vast space, -where savage nature could lend itself to the embellishments -of art. He employed two thousand peasants -as navvies for ten years, and spent twenty millions. -Enormous masses of rock were transported and rivers -turned out of their courses. Finally, near a spot which -is only known by the exile of Ovid, he realised among -the steppes of Yedissen what the imagination of Tasso -could lend to the gardens of Armida.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_373">373</a></span> -During my stay at Tulczim, I often visited that -beautiful garden, and I always remained in ecstasies -before that unique creation. I did not wonder that -it had revived the septuagenarian muse of Trembecki. -Seduced by the hope of acquitting towards that noble -family of Potocki a debt of gratitude, I attempted, -during my stay at Tulczim, to translate into French -verse the beautiful inspirations of the Polish bard. -When my task was finished, I desired to enhance -the work, by investing it with a splendour that might -complement its literary merit. The Comte Jean -Potocki came to my aid with his profound knowledge, -and Mr. William Allan, an English landscape-painter, -to-day the President of the Royal Academy -of Painting in Edinburgh, lent me the magic of his -brush. I intended to publish the work in France, -when the desire to witness in Vienna the unique -scenes being enacted there brought me to the capital -of Austria. Having witnessed the success obtained -by the Comte de Rechberg, thanks to the assistance -of King Maximilian, surrounded by all the masters -of art grouping themselves around this gathering -of sovereigns, I bethought myself of placing -my verses under the patronage of the European -celebrities whom the Congress had brought together. -I began to take steps, and to solicit, with the hope of -inscribing them at the head of my translation, names -of celebrity which should serve it as an ægis. The -familiar footing on which everybody was living with -every one else in Vienna obviated much of the difficulty -which my efforts would have cost elsewhere. With -nearly all the sovereigns it was sufficient to present -oneself to be received, without asking for a special -interview. In a few days my subscription list was -full. The Emperor and Empress of Russia were the -first to put their names down for several copies. The -Kings of Prussia, Denmark, Bavaria, and, in short, -every illustrious personage in Vienna, followed suit. -I had Polish type cast. The printing was confided<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_374">374</a></span> -to the presses of the celebrated Strauss. Krudner -did the engravings. Nothing was spared to invest -the publication with all the beauty to which it could -lend itself. The first copies had just been ‘pulled’ -when the news reached us of the landing of Napoleon -at Cannes. From that moment people troubled very -little about literature and poetry, but there were a -great many diplomatic conferences, declarations, and -preparations for war. Nearly all the subscribers left -Vienna without taking their copies. I myself left -the city a little while afterwards to go to Paris; and -of the whole of my attempt there only remained the -recollection of the gracious reception of the sovereigns, -and one of the most curious collections of autographs in -the hands of any author. Men in Vienna—Russians -and Poles—without distinction subscribed for the -publication of the songs of Trembecki. People little -dreamt that, fifty years later, that beautiful garden -would be taken away from the family of its founder, -confiscated in consequence of the last revolution of -Poland. Sophieowka has been added to the domains -of the Emperor of Russia. They have even taken -away its name, which it owed to love. To-day it is -called Czaritzine-Gad (the garden of the Czarina). -There is, however, something more powerful than -arms, than conquests, than the decrees of kings. It -is the empire of memory and of poesy. The beautiful -verses of Trembecki will endure, and in ages to -come people will always pronounce the name, and the -only name of Sophieowka.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_375">375</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2><a id="CHAPTER_XIX"></a>CHAPTER XIX</h2> -</div> - -<blockquote> - -<p>A Luncheon at M. de Talleyrand’s on his Birthday—M. de Talleyrand -and the MS.—The Princesse-Maréchale Lubomirska—The New -Arrivals—Chaos of Claims—The Indemnities of the King of -Denmark—Rumours of the Congress—Arrival of Wellington at -Vienna—The Carnival—Fête of the Emperor of Austria—A Masked -Rout—The Diadem, or Vanity Punished—A Million—Gambling -and Slavery: a Russian Anecdote.</p></blockquote> - -<p>Among the memories of the Congress which I recall -with the utmost gratitude is that of a very familiar—I -might almost say a family-fête at M. de Talleyrand’s. -It was a luncheon, partaken of solely by his -ambassadorial staff, a few of his intimate friends, and -a still smaller number of notable Frenchmen, then in -Vienna. This matutinal entertainment was given in -honour of his birthday; the prince was entering on -his sixty-first year. Those who are fond of collecting -the smallest particulars about a celebrated man have -not forgotten to note the minute details of the Prince -de Talleyrand’s toilet, and the ‘coquettishness’ of his -rising. In fact, it partook of the peculiarities both of -Mazarin’s and of Madame de Pompadour’s. Somewhat -anxious to study its details, I followed to the -great man’s bedroom MM. Boyne de Faye and Rouen, -who were going to present their good wishes to their -illustrious patron.</p> - -<p>At that moment the model diplomatist pushed his -head between the heavy curtains of his bed. A -small number of the most privileged were already assembled. -Wrapped in a plaited and goffered muslin -<i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">peignoir</i>, the prince proceeded to attend to his -luxuriant hair, which he surrendered, not like the -man in La Fontaine’s fable, to two women, but to<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_376">376</a></span> -two hairdressers, who, after a great deal of brandishing -of arms and combs, ended by producing the -<i>ensemble</i> of wavy hair with which everybody is -familiar. Then came the barber’s turn, dispensing at -the end a cloud of powder; the head and the hands -being finished, they proceeded to the toilet of the -feet, a somewhat less recreative detail, considering the -by no means pleasant smell of the Barège Water -employed to strengthen his lame leg. When all this -was accomplished with the greatest care, we, though -not valets, were enabled to judge the hero of -diplomacy in his dressing-gown. To me personally, -he looked better than in his ministerial court-dress. -He looked the natural man: the model of that noble -and courteous manner is no longer anything but -a memory. When all those ablutions of water -and perfume were terminated, his head servant, -whose only function consisted in superintending the -whole, came forward to tie his stock into a very -smart knot. Then came the other parts of the -adjustment. I am bound to say that all these -transformations were carried out with the ease of a -grand seigneur, and a nonchalance never over-stepping -the good form which only permitted us to -see the man, without having to trouble about his -metamorphosis. At table, M. de Talleyrand not only -showed his customary grace and urbanity, but he was -in reality more amiable than in his reception-rooms, -where, in spite of his free and easy demeanour, one -always felt conscious that he kept a check upon -himself. It was no longer that habitual silence -which, as has been said, he had transformed into the -art of eloquence, just as he had transformed his -experience into a kind of divination. Though less -profound, his talk was perhaps all the more charming. -It came straight from the heart, and flowed without -restraint.</p> - -<div id="ip_376" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 23.4375em;"> - <img src="images/i_376.jpg" width="375" height="600" alt="" /> - <div class="caption">Ch. Maurice de Talleyrand</div></div> - -<p>Although Madame de Périgord was present, the -duties of the table entirely devolved upon the prince.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_377">377</a></span> -He served all the dishes, suggested all the wines, -addressing each guest in a few sprightly and kindly -words. If, perchance, some one attempted to turn -the conversation into the channel of politics, which in -Vienna is a very habitual weakness, at that very -moment he began to talk of this or that thing so -utterly foreign to the question just broached as to -cause one to think that diplomacy was altogether -antipathetic to him. He told us that he was so fond -of receiving birthday wishes that, as a rule, he kept -up two days, the Saint Charles and the Saint Maurice, -without forgetting his real birthday.</p> - -<p>‘Those two saints,’ he added, ‘would always prove -the best landmarks in my recollections, if ever the -fancy took me to write my own life. With their aid -I could co-ordinate all my years, happy or sad, and I -should be able to say where I was on the days of their -appearance in the calendar.’</p> - -<p>Madame de Périgord told us that she had received -that very morning a Latin manuscript on the history -of Courland. It was dedicated by the author to -Prince Louis, the husband of her mother.</p> - -<p>‘A manuscript!’ interrupted the prince, somewhat -excitedly. ‘That reminds me of one of the most -curious circumstances of my life. When, after my -return from America, I was in Hamburg, I made the -acquaintance of a gentleman who, like myself, lodged -at the inn of the Römische Kaiser. We had met at -the <i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">table d’hôte</i>, and he had asked me to read the -manuscript of a work of his—I no longer remember -the subject. I accepted the ordeal, and went to my -room. It so happened that on that same day I had -been to MM. de Chapeau-Rouge, my bankers, and taken -from the remains of a very small credit about fifteen -louis. When I got to my room, I opened the manuscript -to read it, and between its leaves I deposited my -small treasure, wrapped in a sheet of paper. At six in -the morning there was a violent knocking at my door, -and my author rushed in to inform me that he was<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_378">378</a></span> -going to take ship at that very moment for London, -and that he would be pleased to have his manuscript. -Half awake and half asleep, I made him a sign to -take his manuscript, which was lying on his table, and -half sarcastically called to him, “A pleasant journey.” -Then I turned round in my bed and fell asleep again. -Alas, the wretch took my money with him, and -chance did for him what no publisher would have -done for his manuscript. I never saw him again, or -my fifteen louis, and was obliged to return to my -bankers in a sad frame of mind to withdraw the rest -left to me, promising myself that they would not -catch me examining manuscripts again.’</p> - -<p>We went into a small drawing-room, where on a -table were all the presents that had been sent from -Paris. There were some from the Duchesse de -Luynes, from the Princesse de Vaudémont, from -Mme. Jyskewicz, and from many other ladies, who, -knowing his fondness for those delicate attentions, -never failed to send them at the three periods to -which he had referred during luncheon. On a couch -were laid out all his orders, and there were enough -and to spare. Odd to relate, the most brilliant ones -in the way of precious stones had been given by the -minor princes.</p> - -<p>M. de Talleyrand went on chatting to us for a little -while, his most casual sentences being marked by a -graceful unaffectedness, so strongly contrasting with -his diplomatic reputation. His expressions were, however, -always simple; they, as it were, derived their -value from the attitude and the courtesy of the grand -seigneur, which were not at fault.</p> - -<p>When he finally left us to go to M. de Metternich’s, -I was not at all in agreement with what was said about -him. People pretended that M. de Talleyrand in his -dressing-gown was, as far as intellectual conversation -went, a different man from M. de Talleyrand in Court -dress; in a word, that the latter was practically -indispensable to him. Personally, I have seen him<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_379">379</a></span> -in the political drawing-rooms of Paris, London, and -Vienna, and only once was I received amidst his -nearest and dearest. Well, among my recollections of -that celebrated man, the last-mentioned is unquestionably -the most constantly present to my mind, and also -the most vivid.</p> - -<p>Among the drawing-rooms capable of vying with -that of M. de Talleyrand in the matter of ‘exquisite -form,’ elegance, and delicate observance of society’s unwritten -code, one was bound to name, first of all, that -of the Princesse-Maréchale Lubomirska.<a id="FNanchor_101" href="#Footnote_101" class="fnanchor">101</a> Having -taken up her residence in Vienna, she appears to have -accepted the task of keeping open house for all the -strangers who wished to be presented to her. No one -could convey a more exact idea of the fabulous existence -of all those Polish grandees in their most -splendid days. She, as it were, combined within -herself all that was known about the grandeur of the -Potockis and the Czartoryskis, the magnificence of -the Radziwills, the noble splendour of the Lubomirskis, -and of all the others, the recollection of whom -has become imperishable. Her palace situated near -the fortifications, her servants, the footing of her -establishment, in fact everything, represented a partly -European, partly Asiatic whole. Being particularly -intimate with her grandson Frederick, I had been -welcomed as an old acquaintance.</p> - -<p>The month of February, which had brought us back -a few rays of sunshine, had also brought back to the -Graben the swarm of idlers and newsmongers who -had been dislodged by the cold and the snow. Added<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_380">380</a></span> -to this, there was a considerable influx of newcomers, -more numerous perhaps than in the first days of the -Congress. These had been attracted to Vienna by -the carnival. The promenades, the public places, and -the fortifications were positively swarming with -people, and the theatres, balls and entertainments, -somewhat neglected during the few previous weeks, -had recovered all their former favour. It was a -revival of pleasure, and as if the whole of Europe had -made it a point to send representatives to this joyous -pilgrimage at Vienna, there was no longer a mention -of the termination of the Congress, so often foretold -and so often denied.</p> - -<p>It was really the realisation of the Prince de Ligne’s -words: ‘The Congress does not march along; it -dances along’; and they might easily have written -up the words they painted in large characters on the -site of the dismantled Bastille, ‘Dancing going on -here.’</p> - -<p>Prince Koslowski kept me posted in all the particulars -of the endless sittings. ‘Are the other -arbiters agreed?’ he said, in answer to my question. -‘Not in the least. The Polish question has been -settled; but all the others are as far as ever from -being settled. The fate of Saxony and of its king -is by no means decided. Prussia asks for the ancient -Belgian provinces, the territory of Treves and -Cologne. France, who is not at all anxious for that -neighbour, does not want Prussia on the left bank of -the Rhine. On the other hand, she insists upon the -throne of Naples being restored to the Bourbon -branch. Take it all in all, it is nothing but a -tangled skein. And to crown it all, the King of -Denmark is joining the throng, and is asking for what -each sovereign is pleased to call his indemnities.’</p> - -<p>‘That is certainly an imprudent request. Frederick -ought to think himself very lucky to have passed -unperceived amidst this chaos of pretensions.’</p> - -<p>In fact, among all those sovereigns who were to<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_381">381</a></span> -leave Vienna with the spoils of some of their neighbours, -the King of Denmark alone was fated to -remain strictly within his old territorial limits. Consequently -everybody repeated his reply to Alexander -when they parted. ‘Sire,’ said the czar, ‘you carry -all hearts away with you.’ ‘All hearts possibly, but -not a single soul,’ answered the king, with a significant -smile. To understand the witty allusion of the -word, I must again remind the reader that the word -‘soul’ means ‘subject,’ and that all the decisions of the -Congress were based upon the number of inhabitants -of the countries that changed rulers. From that point -of view, the King of Denmark had been the least -well treated.</p> - -<p>‘And now the Duke of Wellington has come to -Vienna. He arrived yesterday, and the diplomatists -depend much upon his co-operation. They hope that -the esteem in which the sovereigns hold him will -remove many difficulties retarding the progress of the -deliberations, and that he will be able to obtain -sacrifices which seem beyond the power of Lord -Castlereagh.</p> - -<p>‘Milord, it is said, takes his departure loaded, not -with diplomatic trophies, but with presents. To the -orders which he still lacked, and which the sovereigns, -large and small, have now promptly sent him, the -Empress of Austria has added two magnificent vases -from the porcelain works. My lady will be very -pleased with this imperial gift.</p> - -<p>‘Are you going to the rout to-night?’ asked the -prince, leaving me. ‘Wellington is going, and of -course all Vienna will be there.’</p> - -<p>Odd to relate, in a town at that moment sheltering -all the illustrious men of Europe, the arrival of -Wellington had set both the Court and the diplomatic -centres agog—the Court, because it supplied something -new, for which they were really at a loss; -diplomacy, because it was assured that he came to -replace Castlereagh, whose policy was generally<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_382">382</a></span> -blamed, and because it was no small thing to have -to treat with a new colleague. Mr. Wellesley-Pole, a -member of the House of Commons and a relative of -the duke, arrived at the same time. He was one of -the most brilliant Englishmen in Vienna, the owner of -an immense rent-roll, and endowed with a varied and -deep knowledge. He was an honour to the nation he -represented. Curiosity, therefore, was excited to the -highest degree. Everybody wished to know a man -to whom the fortunes of war had been so constantly -favourable, who, by his doggedness and perseverance, -had been able to hold in check the genius of Napoleon. -The sovereigns called upon him, and he was literally -loaded with honours. In the evening, when the -rumour ran that he was going to the rout, between -seven and eight thousand spectators rushed into the -place. When he made his appearance, accompanied -by Lord Castlereagh, a masked lady, supposed to be -Lady Castlereagh, hanging on his arm, the whole -of the crowd rushed towards them. They were -probably accustomed to that kind of reception, and -must have felt flattered at such a proof of popularity. -Finally, not the least curious result of his arrival -was the fluctuation in the public securities, which -caused a loss and gain of several millions in a few -days; for in Vienna as elsewhere, stock gambling -seized the slightest occasion to bring about those -rapid fluctuations.</p> - -<div class="tb">* <span class="in2">* </span><span class="in2">* </span><span class="in2">* </span><span class="in2">*</span></div> - -<p>The birthday fête of the Emperor of Austria, which -happened to come amidst all these rejoicings, was -spent in the privacy of his family. His health did -not permit it to be celebrated with all the pomp generally -displayed. The reception, in spite of its being less -numerous, nevertheless presented a most rare spectacle. -Nearly all its members called each other ‘brother’ or -‘cousin,’ and those brothers were the most powerful -sovereigns of Europe. In the morning, Emperor -Alexander had preceded them all, wearing the uniform<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_383">383</a></span> -of an Austrian general, and giving his arm to his -charming wife. He tendered his wishes and offered -his bouquet with that cordial simplicity that adds so -delightfully to the expressions of friendship. For -some time those monarchs had each adopted a particular -society in which they lived on a most familiar -footing. Nevertheless, when they assembled together -their affectionate familiarity was very genuine.</p> - -<p>The masked routs were more numerously attended -than ever. Griffiths and I went one evening to one -of those gatherings, which might fitly be termed the -magic-lanterns of the Congress, in virtue of the -number and variety of the personages present. The -crowd was so considerable that, after having opened all -the rooms, they were obliged to shut the outer doors -and to refuse admission to a great number. Nothing -could convey an idea of the happy-go-lucky animation -presiding at this gathering of so many diverse -elements. In the crowd I ran up against Prince -Koslowski.</p> - -<p>‘To watch on all sides this exchange of sweet -smiles and sweet looks, and hand-pressures sweeter -still, one might call the Vienna rout an exchange for -the traffic of amorous assets.’</p> - -<p>‘Beaumarchais said that before you about the -Opéra of Paris, but you could add, as an appendix, -that all such kinds of assets are marketable on all the -dancing exchanges of Europe.</p> - -<p>‘Just watch that young woman, so simply disguised -as a Calabrian peasant,’ the prince went on. -‘She seems to remember how dearly her mother once -paid for an impulse of vanity. That mother, who was -distantly related to my family, found out that an imperial -diadem may often cruelly hurt the head, even if -politics are altogether foreign to the attempt to wear it.’</p> - -<p>The lady was pretty, the anecdote promised to be -interesting. I asked my bright interlocutor to tell it -to me. He complied with my wish.</p> - -<p>‘One day Empress Catherine made up her mind<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_384">384</a></span> -to clean the enormous mass of jewels of all kinds -buried in the coffers that, since the reign of Peter -the Great, had swallowed up enormous treasures of -which there seem to be scarcely any knowledge in the -palace. Dreading some theft during that general -overhaul, the emperor appointed two captains of the -guards to superintend the work. The father of our -pretty mask was one of them. The view of all this -wealth produced such a fascination in the eyes and -the minds of the two inspectors that they also conceived -the fatal idea of robbery. They agreed to -abstract part of those treasures, hoping that the theft -would pass unperceived. The spoil was divided -between them. The one to whom came a lot of -pearls lost no time in sending them to Amsterdam by -a man in his trust. There, sold secretly, the money -he received was employed by him in the repurchase -of some family estates, which, however, he had the -prudence to settle on his son. The other, whose -share consisted of diamonds, waited for spring to proceed -to England, promising himself to dispose of -them to greater advantage than through the intermediary -of an agent.</p> - -<p>‘Among the number of stolen objects there was a -diadem whose value exceeded a hundred thousand -roubles. All these objects had been carefully hidden -in the remotest corner of his apartments. Fatality, -however, always dogs crime, and his wife discovered -the hiding-place. In vain did her husband swear to -her that the diadem did not belong to him, and that -it was entrusted to his honour to keep for awhile. She -begged of him, not to give it to her, but to let her -wear it, if only for a moment, at one of the Court -balls. He resisted, but she worried, begged, and -wept to that extent that the captain, madly in love -with his wife, unhappily gave in, trusting that the -jewel, which had not seen daylight for perhaps a -hundred years, would escape recognition by a person -of the new generation. The young woman, who did not<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_385">385</a></span> -perceive that this diadem was metaphorically searing -her forehead, got as far as the ball-room of the -Hermitage. I need scarcely tell you of the looks of -admiration and envy that marked her appearance. -Up till then everything had gone well, but just amidst -her greatest triumph old Mme. Pratazoff, standing -behind the chair of the empress, hears Catherine go -into raptures about the brilliancy of those stones.</p> - -<p>‘“Madame,” says her confidante, bending over her, -“there is no occasion for your majesty to be astonished. -That diadem belonged to your majesty’s aunt, -the empress. I have seen her wear it a score of times.”</p> - -<p>‘The words supplied, as it were, a flash of light to -Catherine, who got up, drew near to the young -woman, who, delighted with her triumph, had, like -Cinderella, forgotten her promise only to wear the -jewel for a moment.</p> - -<p>‘“May I ask you, madame,” said the empress, -“who is the jeweller who mounted these stones?”</p> - -<p>‘The young woman, in her confusion, names the -first jeweller she can think of. The empress, after a -few insignificant remarks, leaves her, and meanwhile -the young woman continues to dance with the ill-fated -diadem fastened to her head, more threatening than -the sword of Damocles, The empress at once sends -an aide-de-camp to inquire of the jeweller in question -since when, and for whom, he had mounted that -diadem. The jeweller of course denies all knowledge -of the affair. The reply comes back immediately. Once -more the empress interrogates the young woman.</p> - -<p>‘“You have played the fool with me. Your -jeweller denies having sold you this diadem. I am -determined to know whence it came to you.”</p> - -<p>‘The severe tone put an end to the young woman’s -faint show of confidence. She stammered and -stuttered, and Catherine’s suspicions were soon -changed into certainties. The order was immediately -given to arrest the two unworthy inspectors. -Both, judged and proved guilty, were sent to Siberia;<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_386">386</a></span> -but by a strange freak, he who had sold the pearls in -Holland, and transmitted their proceeds to his son, -was left in possession, while the diamonds found in -the house of the other were carefully brought back to -the treasury. When, after some years of expiation -the empress pardoned the two culprits, the first might -well lay the flattering unction to his soul that justice -was, after all, only a fable. The other would for ever -curse his want of firmness, which had cost him his -reputation and his future career. As for the young -woman, she dearly paid for the short-lived satisfaction -of her vanity, and the momentary gratification -of outvying her rivals.’</p> - -<p>After having made the round of the rooms once or -twice, Griffiths and I left the Burg early. It was a -beautiful evening, and we walked back to the Jaeger-Zeil. -Passing before the mansion of the Comte de -Rosenberg, we noticed that it was ablaze with light. -Servants in resplendent livery crossed the courts -carrying salvers with ices and fruits, while from the -inside arose the strains of a harmonious band and the -sound of many joyous voices.</p> - -<p>‘It seems to me,’ I said to my companion, ‘that your -countryman, Mr. Raily, treats his royal guest more -sumptuously than usual to-day. If he goes on in that -way his credit of a million at Arnstein’s won’t go far.’</p> - -<p>‘When that’s gone there will be more,’ replied -Griffiths. ‘The career of professional gamesters is so -thoroughly made up of unforeseen events and strange -episodes, fortune comes so often to their aid, that the -words “ruin,” “chance,” “audacity,” “opulence” are -practically present in every line of their biography. -Sometimes among all this there is also a flash of -generosity, of devotion, and of downright magnanimity -on their part. If the common observer had -the clue to the enigma of these existences, then -assuredly would vanish the fantastic prestige he -fancies he sees in the fate of those Bohemians of -Courts, of gambling hells, and palaces.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_387">387</a></span> -‘The origin of that credit of a million of florins is -connected with a fact which Mr. Rally has told me -since our last visit to him,—a fact which marvellously -characterises the infinite possibilities of gambling. -One morning, an elegant carriage, with four superbly -caparisoned horses, their manes flowing in the wind, -stopped at the door of Mr. Rally’s temporary residence -in Moscow. A man of about thirty, with a frank -and open countenance, alighted from it. He sends -in his name, and presents himself, with those easy -manners which are always a passport for a man who -has no other recommendation. “Pray excuse my -visit,” he said to Mr. Rally in very pure French, “but I -have had the advantage of meeting you now and again -in public, and I have presumed upon the circumstance -to call upon you. I hope you will excuse the liberty.” -When he had seated himself he went on. “The -matter I wish to speak to you about is of the highest -importance to me, but allow me to ask you for a -promise that, whether you consent or refuse to render -me the service I have come to ask, you will keep the -secret.” Mr. Rally promised at once, and the young -man went on. “My name is Soueskof-Feodorowich. -I am a merchant of the first class. You are no doubt -aware of the rank we occupy among the bourgeoisie. -I live in your neighbourhood, but my business house -and my habitual home are at Toula. You are, I have -been told, an English gentleman who has taken up -his quarters for a few months in Moscow, and, like -most of your distinguished countrymen, you play -heavily and in the noblest manner. That is what is -done in Russia, and, for the matter of that, everywhere. -But I have been told moreover, monsieur, that you -play carefully, and allow me to congratulate you on -the fact, for this gives you a great guarantee against -being duped. You’ll excuse me if I add that this -reputation induced me to present myself to you.” -Mr. Rally was somewhat surprised at this preamble, -but before he could translate his surprise into words<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_388">388</a></span> -his visitor resumed, “I, monsieur, never gamble. I -do not even know a game, but I come in furtherance -of an attempt, the success of which will depend upon -you, in which gambling will play a part. I have -heard you praised for your noble character; I have -perfect faith in it, and I have come to place in your -hands a possession prized highly by every Englishman—namely, -liberty. That word, from my lips, may -seem strange to you. The first gift of God after -life is liberty. Well, sir, that liberty, without which -life is nothing, I am for ever deprived of. I speak -of it as the blind hankers after the light. I am a -serf, and perhaps it is reserved for you to efface from -my forehead that ignominious stigma, that mark of -opprobrium which the law compels us to engrave on -our doors, that scutcheon of infamy which we inherit -from generation to generation, like the sign that -God’s finger set on the brow of Cain. My request to -you is this. In this vortex which one calls grand -society you no doubt meet now and again the Comte -K——, an ensign in the regiment of Chevalier Guards. -He is one of the young men most in renown at the -English Club. He astonishes by his audacity, his -display, and his arrogance the most adventurous -gamblers!”</p> - -<p>‘“It is true,” said Raily, “ours is a very intimate -acquaintance.”</p> - -<p>‘“Oh, it is, after all, without importance, I dare -say, for the real basis of it—esteem—is wanting. You -cannot possibly esteem the comte, and in this you are -only following common opinion. His vanity, which -he mistakes for pride, his impertinence, which he mistakes -for courage, his cackle, which he mistakes for -learning, are all he possesses. Beyond that he has -absolutely nothing: neither heart nor soul, nor bowels. -Such creatures may become acquaintances, they can -never be our friends.” “Your portrait is the reverse -of flattering,” said Raily; “but what does it all -amount to?” “It amounts to this, monsieur; I am<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_389">389</a></span> -bound to tell you with shame on my face and hell in -my heart that I am that man’s slave, that he is my -master.” His excitement got the better of him for a -moment, then he went on. “The comte’s father lived -on one of his estates near Orel. My father, who while -very young had become attached to him personally, -served him most faithfully—so faithfully, in fact, that -the old man at his death left him a considerable -sum of money, without, however, giving him his -liberty. Like many other serfs, my father employed -the money in trafficking in furs and skins with Eastern -Russia. Having been very successful in trade, his -fortune increased rapidly; and as a matter of course, -his establishment assumed a proportionate footing. -While I was still a mere lad, my father gave shelter -to a victim of the French Revolution, many of whom -exile had brought to our country. M. de B——, a -man of great parts, looked to my education. He was -like a second father to me, and whatever I am, I -practically owe to him. Being aware of our position, -he often suggested to me to put an end to it, by -accompanying him to some foreign land. I should, -however, have had to leave my own country; my -father would have been responsible for my doings; -and the least punishment that he would have suffered -would have been to leave his magnificent home -in order to resume his labour as a serf. Another -cause, based upon something more powerful than -reason, bound me to this ignominious vassalage—love. -I loved, monsieur, and was beloved; and though I -recoiled from the thought of associating with my fate -a young and well-born woman, who in uniting herself -to me would have ceased to be free, I cherished -the flattering hope that time would abolish those -iniquitous laws, that sooner or later Emperor Alexander, -the moral regenerator of his country—as his -illustrious ancestor Peter the Great was the regenerator -of his people—that Alexander would break our -iron yoke, that he would treat us like the peasants<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_390">390</a></span> -living on the shores of the Baltic, or like the serfs on -some of his own imperial domains; that, in fact, -ere long the country would be indebted to him for -the moral emancipation of forty millions of thinking -beings, whose intelligence is crushed in the vice -of an arbitrary power. Our masters, however, would -sooner forgive him the greatest excesses of that arbitrary -power than the exercise of that same power -in favour of the humbler class of his subjects. In -short, I hoped that, free at last, I should be able -to lead Eudoxia to the altar, not sullied with the -woollen band of the slave, but beaming beneath the -white and pure wreath attached to the head of the -free wife. Up to this day, I have hoped in vain. My -father died; I not only continued his commerce, but -extended it to the East; and in a few years doubled -the very considerable fortune he left me.”</p> - -<p>‘“Why not propose to the comte to buy your -freedom?” remarked Mr. Raily.</p> - -<p>‘“He would refuse. He is not one of the owners -who would support a rational system of emancipation,” -was the answer, followed by a most sombre picture of -the condition of the serfs; and he finally added, “Well, -monsieur, the end of all this wretchedness, the possession -of the woman I worship, who’ll die of grief -if we cannot be united—in short, liberty, all this I -may possibly owe to you; and in that case you will -have been to me more than a man, more than a friend, -you will have been nothing less than a god.” “What -am I to do?” asked Mr. Raily. “I am disposed to -help you, but you must explain?” “You are fond of -gaming, monsieur. What’s merely a pastime with -you, is a frantic passion with the Comte K——. He -sacrifices everything to it; and it will infallibly lead -to his ruin. Nothing, therefore, will be easier than -to get him to play with you. Get him to stake a -small estate he has on the banks of the Volga; it’s -a village counting no more than fifty households, and -the industry of which consists in making nails. That<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_391">391</a></span> -estate he’ll not sell at any price; but for that, it -would have been mine long ago. But in the feverish -excitement of the game, he may be brought to stake -it, he may lose it, and all my hope is there. If that -village, where my father and I were born, where the -rest of my relations are living—if that estate becomes -mine, we shall all be free. And now, monsieur, you -have my secret, and you are the arbiter of my fate. -If you consent to come to my aid, your word will be -sufficient for me, and you may raise your stakes to -any amount, double them, increase them fourfold, as -long as you get your final triumph. You have got -an unlimited credit on my bank, and I wish you to -make use of it unreservedly. Whatever may be your -luck, if it remained persistently contrary—even if it -ruined me—I should still be eternally grateful to -you for having understood me, for having listened to -my prayer, and for having attempted to make me -happy and free.”</p> - -<p>‘Raily promised everything, and the two men -parted, and that will explain to you how he and the -Comte K—— soon confronted each other at the -gaming table. Manœuvring very cleverly, the Englishman -at the outset suffered defeat upon defeat. His -adversary, intoxicated by his success, literally clung -to him like his shadow. He followed him everywhere—at -the hunt, at the ball, at the promenade: -he never left him. No courtier of Versailles or St. -James’s was more exact at the rising and retiring of -a sovereign. The game of faro, then very fashionable -at Moscow, was, as a matter of course, that -selected by the two antagonists. The comte held the -bank. The sum lost by Raily already amounted to -fifty thousand roubles. The Russian had tasted -blood and liked it, but at last it came to the other -one to deal the cards, and from that moment the -luck turned. One day after dinner the game went -so much in Mr. Raily’s favour that he won everything -the Comte K—— possessed in roubles, in<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_392">392</a></span> -paper-money, in objects of art, even to the holy -images, richly chased in gold and precious stones, -on which Russians set such store. Raily won everything; -and when daylight appeared the heap of riches -lay around the table which had served for their game. -Nevertheless, the comte proposed to continue the -game, but only in ‘white money’; that is, figures -serving as stakes drawn in chalk on the cloth, and -in reality meaning credit. Mr. Raily pretended to -have had enough of the game, and to ring for his -servants to take to his carriage all that was portable -of his rich and extensive loot. Seeing which, the -comte renewed his insistences to persuade him to -stay. He prayed so humbly, then so passionately, for -his revenge, that Raily judged the occasion favourable -and the moment decisive to carry out the promise he -had given to his young protégé. Gold, jewels, and -bank notes, everything was placed on the table. -Then Raily turned to his adversary. “You see, -comte,” he said, “that I play the game in no niggardly -spirit, and I will give you a new proof of it. I have -taken a fancy to be a Russian landowner, if only for -the strangeness of the fact. You have got a small -estate on the banks of the Volga. If you like, I -will stake all that’s there against it.” If at that -moment Lucifer had offered the comte to stake his -soul against a ducat, he would not have hesitated to -accept. Without replying, the comte rushes to his -writing-table, takes from it the title-deeds of his property, -and flings them with a kind of feverish joy on -the gold covering the table. The chances still remained -in favour of Mr. Raily. The game had not been -resumed ten minutes ere he was the master of that -Promised Land, and the much desired aim had been -attained. Taking up the contract which entitled -him to the property and the fifty thousand roubles he -had lost previously, he said, “Now, comte, I’ll play -you double or quits for the rest.” The comte named -the colour, and was right this time. “Take back all<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_393">393</a></span> -this,” said the Englishmen; “my night has been sufficiently -well paid.” Then they parted the best friends -in the world, the Russian enchanted with his prompt -and generous revenge, Raily delighted at the prospect -of the happiness he was to confer on his new friend. -That very day the lucky gambler wrote to Féodor, -sending him back his fifty thousand roubles, and informing -him that he held at his disposal the title-deeds -of the estate on the Volga. A few hours later -Féodor stood in his presence, holding by the hand -a young girl, beautiful, fresh, fair, like all the girls -of the north, whom he presented to him. It was -Eudoxia, she who loved him, she whom he had loved -so much. Both fell at Mr. Raily’s feet. “You are -our master, our father,” they said. “Give us your -blessing, and finish your sublime work of regeneration.” -Raily extends his hands, takes them in his arms, he -himself surprised at the tears coursing freely down -his cheeks. “Let him owe his happiness to you -alone,” he said, addressing Eudoxia, and handing her -the title-deeds of the property. “An iniquitous law, a -law iniquitous even in its foresight, forbids an emancipated -slave to possess property. But you are free, -madame, and noble, and the same law nevertheless -permits that the serf of your lands, raised to the rank -of your husband, becomes also freed from this unjust -exclusion. You are now a landowner in virtue -of these title-deeds—take Féodor to the altar; henceforth -he will bear no chains but yours.” “Monsieur,” -said the young merchant, “she and I will never be -strong enough to remain under the burden of such a -gratitude all our lives. You must, therefore, accept -some feeble tribute of our feelings towards you, for it -is only on that condition that you can really make -us happy.” Mr. Raily a few days before leaving -Moscow received a pocket-book, which contained a -million roubles, with the following words inscribed -upon it: “To the free man who has made me a free -man.”</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_394">394</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2><a id="CHAPTER_XX"></a>CHAPTER XX</h2> -</div> - -<blockquote> - -<p>Isabey’s Study—His Picture of the Plenipotentiaries at the Congress -of Vienna—The Imperial Sepulchre at the Capuchins—Recollections -of the Tombs of Cracow—Preacher Werner—St. Stephen’s Cathedral—Children’s -Ball at Princesse Marie Esterhazy’s—The Empress -Elizabeth of Russia—The Picture-Gallery of the Duc de Saxe-Teschen—Emperor -Alexander and Prince Eugène—The Pictures -of the Belvedere—The King of Bavaria—Anecdotes.</p></blockquote> - -<p>One of the memorabilia of the Congress of Vienna -which had the advantage of uniting all suffrages, a -privilege not generally granted to all the transactions -of that august Areopagus, is the historical and beautiful -drawing of Isabey representing a sitting of the -plenipotentiaries. The artist was then putting the -last touches to it. One morning, Griffiths and I went -to his house. His gallery of portraits, which contained -all the celebrated personages of Europe, was already -very considerable, but our attention was attracted at -once by the drawing which, under the title of ‘The -Congress of Vienna,’ will connect his name with the -illustrious men he has portrayed there. Everybody -knows that composition, representing the room of the -Congress at the moment Prince de Metternich introduced -Wellington.</p> - -<p>Theoretically, Lord Wellington had no right to -figure in that production, inasmuch as he only -arrived in Vienna in February 1815, and then it was -to replace Lord Castlereagh. His arrival necessitated -an important change in the picture—the -introduction of a new personage. That was the -motive which made Isabey choose that particular -moment, inasmuch as it enabled him to leave all the -other figures in their original places. Isabey explained<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_395">395</a></span> -to us very charmingly the discontent of the new -arrival at finding himself relegated to a corner of the -composition, where he can only be seen sideways. The -clever artist had ingeniously explained the situation -to the English general, apparently with great satisfaction -to both. Another particular incident had -marked the preliminaries. Among the number of -European celebrities Baron Humboldt was necessarily -a figure. They had told Isabey that he would meet with -great resistance on the part of this statesman, who -had a thorough aversion to having his portrait taken. -He had even refused that favour to Princesse Louisa -Radziwill, the sister of Prince Ferdinand of Prussia. -Warned of this singularity, and even somewhat -intimidated by it, Isabey presented himself at -the diplomatist’s. His real or simulated embarrassment -increased the partial good humour of the baron, -who, fixing his large, blue-goggled eyes on him, -replied, ‘Have a good look at me, and then you’ll be -bound to admit that nature has given me too ugly a -face ever to spend a penny on it for its reproduction. -Nature would in reality have the laugh of me if she -could convict me of such foolish vanity. She ought -to be aware that I fully recognise the trick she has -played me.’ Struck by the reply, the painter looked -with stupefaction at the extraordinary face of the -minister, but immediately resuming his gaiety and -quickness of wit, he retorted, ‘But I am not going to -ask your excellency the slightest recompense for the -pleasant trouble I am going to take. I am only going -to ask the favour of a few sittings.’</p> - -<p>‘Oh, is that all? You can have as many sittings -as you like. You need not stint yourself in that -respect, but I cannot abandon my principle of not -spending a penny on my ugly face.’</p> - -<p>In fact, the witty diplomatist sat as many times to -the painter as he wished. When the engraving -appeared, his was found the most striking likeness -of all, and he often said, ‘I have not paid a penny<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_396">396</a></span> -for my portrait by Isabey. No doubt he wanted to -avenge himself, and he has made an excellent likeness -of me.’</p> - -<p>Leaving the painter’s study, we went citywards, -and on the bridge over the Danube we fell in with -Princesse Hélène Souvaroff, General Tettenborn, and -Alexander Ypsilanti. They were going in the same -direction, and told us that they were making for the -church of the Capuchins to see the tombs of the -imperial family. They proposed that we should -accompany them, and we accepted.</p> - -<p>When we got to the chapel, a monk, after having -lighted a large torch, preceded us to the crypts. -There were nine tombs of emperors, thirteen of -empresses, and in all about eighty of the members -of the imperial race. ‘It was in this subterranean -chapel,’ said our guide, ‘that every day during thirty -years Maria-Theresa heard Mass before the sepulchre -she had erected for herself by the side of that of her -husband.’</p> - -<p>‘This trait of Maria-Theresa,’ said Tettenborn, -‘reminds me of one of the clever answers of -Joseph <span class="smcap smaller">II.</span> When he had granted the public admission -to the Augarten, a lady complained that she -could no longer stroll about there among her equals. -“If everybody were restricted to the society of his -equals,” replied the emperor, “I should be reduced for -a bit of air to the crypt of the Capuchins, inasmuch as -it is only there that I should find mine.”’</p> - -<p>After contemplating for a few moments those -magnificent monuments of marble and brass, we -slowly ascended the steps of the crypt, when the -light of several torches told us of the arrival of -a numerous company; and it would appear that -these excursions had all been postponed to the end -of February on account of the weather, for soon -Messrs. Nesselrode and Pozzo di Borgo, the Duc de -Richelieu, and M. Amstedt passed us on their way. -Then we went to the ramparts. The conversation<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_397">397</a></span> -had taken a serious turn, in accordance with the -objects we had just left. The Princesse Hélène compared -these crypts with those of the monastery of -Petchersky at Kion, where most of the saints of -the convent are placed in open coffins. Those -precious relics draw to the ancient capital of Moscow -a number of pilgrims, who proceed on foot from -Casan and other towns close to Italy.</p> - -<p>‘There is no greater proof of the strength of -religious feeling than that,’ said Princesse Hélène. ‘It -is at the bottom of all those distant pilgrimages, -which, without it, would seem impossible. But,’ she -added, ‘the hope of future recompense assuages present -evils.’</p> - -<p>‘When I was at Cracow,’ I said, ‘I also paid a -visit to the subterranean vaults of the cathedral, -where the Kings of Poland rest. The coffins are -similarly open, and the bodies are embalmed. Time -seems to have respected their forms, and they are still -vested with all the attributes of royalty. The ermine -cloak, the sceptre, the diadem sparkling with precious -stones, all those baubles of a vanished power present -a striking contrast to the relentless aspect of death. -Nevertheless, such images of the past are less terrible -when brass or marble disguises, as it does here, the -visible effects of death, or when the monuments are -inscribed with a line recalling a glorious reminiscence, -like that of the Narischkine family in the Church of -the Annunciation at St. Petersburg.’</p> - -<p>It was a holiday, and the streets were filled with a -great crowd, mainly of artisans, apparently very happy -and prosperous.</p> - -<p>‘Truly,’ said Griffiths, as I pointed this out, ‘one -rarely meets with a beggar in Vienna. The charitable -institutions are administered with much order -and much liberality. Public benevolence in particular -seems to be directed with a great sense of justice. -The people, having in general more industrial -aptitude and commercial intelligence than the other<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_398">398</a></span> -populations of Germany, seem to conduct their own -affairs very well, and it may safely be said there is -no capital in Europe which can be compared with -Vienna for its sights, and the happy-go-lucky existence -of its inhabitants.’</p> - -<p>The spire of the cathedral was standing against the -cloudless sky.</p> - -<p>‘Don’t you feel tempted,’ said I to Princesse -Souvaroff, ‘to be present at one of the spectacles -which just now seem to cause, rightly or wrongly, a -great excitement—I mean a sermon by the Rev. M. -Werner?’</p> - -<p>The princess had heard the name, and she fell in -with my view, anxious, like ourselves, to know this -simple priest, who, amid so many great interests and -varied amusements, had still found a means of -arousing the enthusiasm of the crowd.</p> - -<p>Before he had followed in the footsteps of -Massillon and Bossuet, M. Werner had been a -Lutheran and a dramatic poet. He was the author -of several successful tragedies, which he had treated -in the most romantic way. Importing into his -theatrical compositions all the energy of his religious -convictions, he had made it a point to paint the -commencement of Lutheranism in the most seductive -colours. A circumstance both poetical and -romantic marked the history of his conversion to -Catholicism. One evening he was strolling in the -Cathedral Square in Vienna, a prey to one of those -sombre reveries so peculiar to German poets. In -his emotion, he stood contemplating that imposing -mass and the Gothic towers, the summits of which -are lost in the clouds. All at once the door opened, -and a venerable priest, dressed in white, and escorted -by two young children, appeared on its threshold, -and started for the couch of a moribund to administer -the supreme rites of his faith. A torch left a -trembling but luminous trace behind. Struck by the -spectacle, the Lutheran poet stops and wistfully looks<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_399">399</a></span> -after the vanishing procession. His imagination has -been fired, the inmost recesses of his heart are moved; -the grandeur and sublimity of the Catholic religion -are revealed to him by the very simple fact of an -old priest carrying the last sacrament to a man -on his deathbed. From that moment, M. Werner -practically became a Catholic. He left Vienna, went -to Rome, and abjured his errors in the Basilica of -St. Peter. Then after having lived for some two -years in a monastery at the foot of Vesuvius, he -came back to Germany, and, discarding the theatre -for the pulpit, began to preach. The peculiar nature -of his conversion, his talent as a preacher, apart -from his diction, which still showed the lofty thoughts -and the alternately brilliant and sombre colours of -his former poesy—everything, in fact, combined -to bring him into relief. Whenever he was announced -to preach, the church could scarcely hold -the crowd of both pious and merely curious. The -theatrical directors, seeing the success of the preacher, -conceived the idea of reviving the tragedies of the -poet, and made an excellent thing out of them. -In the morning the public hurried to listen to the -words of the new St. Paul, and in the evening, with -minds still full of quotations from Holy Writ and -the Fathers, the same audiences went to applaud -<cite>Attila</cite>, <cite>Luther</cite>, and other works of the converted -heretic. Sorely grieved at this applause, M. Werner -felt compelled to denounce from the pulpit his -former errors, which he would fain have destroyed -altogether. But the more he fulminated, the more -piquant seemed the contrast, and his dual success as -an author and as a preacher hourly increased.</p> - -<p>The crowd in the cathedral was so dense as to -make it difficult for us to find room. There were -princes, generals, ‘grandes dames,’ and, what was not -less strange, people belonging to every Christian -community. After a while the apostle appeared, and -delivered a long sermon in German, of which I did<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_400">400</a></span> -not understand a word, though I was probably not -singular in that respect among that particular audience -that morning. In spite of this, the effect seemed -no less satisfactory. The hollow voice of the speaker, -his tall, lean, and wan figure, his deep-set eyes, all -seemed to accord with the fane, whose interior he -caused to resound with his voice. The cathedral of -St. Stephen, in fact, artistically sculptured outside, is -dark within, and that obscurity, itself so favourable to -meditation, seemed to add something sepulchral to the -utterances of the preacher.</p> - -<p>‘Well,’ said the Princesse Hélène to me when we -were coming out, ‘what do you think of the -preacher?’</p> - -<p>‘I have only been able to judge partly of his eloquence, -and I should think there would be little fault -to find with the moral drift of his discourse, inasmuch -as his dogma is no doubt irreproachable. Nevertheless, -his violent tone and gestures do not inspire me -with a desire to see his theatrical works. If you’ll -follow my advice, we’ll go to the theatre of the -Court to see <cite>Cinna</cite> or <cite>Le Misanthrope</cite>.’</p> - -<p>At parting, we said a few words about soon meeting -again at the Princesse Marie Esterhazy’s, who -was about to give a children’s ball, which after the -many splendid receptions of grown-up people could -not fail to excite great curiosity. Expectation was -thoroughly realised, for the princess’s rooms presented -the most animated and graceful picture. All -the young offshoots of the aristocracy had been -invited to take part in the entertainments projected -for their edification. The crowned guests at Vienna -(reduced this time to the rôle of spectators), all the -illustrious political and military personages, followed -suit and gathered round the young ones, endeavouring, -perhaps, to snatch an imaginary glimpse of their -own youth in the contemplation of the unaffected -gaiety and games. The apartments of the palace -had been so cunningly arranged as to lead the young<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_401">401</a></span> -guests from surprise to surprise. Jugglers’ <i xml:lang="it" lang="it">fantoccini</i>, -magic-lanterns succeeded each other. And when all -those joyous pastimes were exhausted, they finally -came upon the big ball-room, where the dancing -immediately commenced, not with strict adherence, -perhaps, to the programme, but with all the more -gracefulness and absence from constraint. The costumes, -which, as may easily be imagined, were all -magnificent—Turks, knights, Albanians, mediæval, -Louis <span class="smcap smaller">XIV.</span>, Russian, Polish—were worn with comic -importance by those Liliputian highnesses. Amidst -all these little angels it was easy to perceive that the -demon of Pride had exercised his dangerous seductions. -One of those female highnesses got into a -great rage with a companion of inferior rank. The -quarrel became so embittered, neither of them being -willing to give in, that it occasioned some trouble at -the ball. It reminded me of the anecdote told me -by Lord Stair, which a few years before had vastly -amused all England. It was during the infancy of -the Princess of Wales(?). They had given her as a -companion the daughter of a musician who had -acquired a great reputation by playing the organ at -St. Paul’s. The children quarrelled about a toy, of -which each wanted to get possession. The small -wranglers claimed privilege in identical terms. ‘How -dare you resist me?’ said the princess. ‘Don’t you -know that I am the daughter of the Prince of -Wales?’ ‘What’s that to me? Don’t you know, -yourself, that I am the daughter of the organist of -St. Paul’s?’</p> - -<p>Dancing was interrupted by the arrival of the -Tyrolese singers, who were then causing a great -sensation in Vienna. They were seven fine men and -ten women, and wore the picturesque costume of -their mountains. A few years before, they had come -from the Tyrol as simple journeymen watchmakers, -and in the evening they met together to sing their -national songs. The effect was such as to cause<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_402">402</a></span> -immense crowds to follow them through the streets. -The police were obliged to give them an escort to -prevent disorder. The directors of the Wieden -Theatre engaged them to sing on their stage. The -enthusiasm was such as to make them repeat the same -airs half-a-dozen times: the highest society engaged -them for their evening parties, and everywhere they -were equally applauded. During the Congress they -had returned to the scene of their first glory.</p> - -<p>After that the children went into a room which -till then had been closed to them. A big tree with -golden branches was bending beneath all kinds of -toys; amongst others those pretty boxes made out -of Vienna paving-stones. A lottery was drawn. -Before the little ones retired, they danced a waltz. -The sovereigns and the whole of the Court seemed to -share those childish joys, and to forget for the moment -their own agitated existence at the sight of so much -innocent happiness. Only the Empress Elizabeth of -Russia preserved an appearance of melancholy. One -could perceive that she envied the joys of maternity. -Her affection for the emperor was such that, when -she met with the daughter he had had by Madame -Narischkine, she smothered the child with caresses, trying -to cheat her own aspirations as wife and mother.</p> - -<p>To whatever political opinion one may belong, one -is always glad to be able to speak of those who have -occupied the world’s stage. Thanks to the Congress -of Vienna, it has been vouchsafed to me to approach -some of the men who have left their names on the -pages of contemporary history; hence the anecdotes -which follow.</p> - -<p>One bright February day, Zibin, Luchesini, and I -were wandering through the residence of the Duc -de Saxe-Teschen. Among the mass of precious objects -there is a collection of about twelve thousand -original drawings, and a hundred and thirty thousand -engravings after artists of various countries. We -were courteously received by M. Lefèvre, the custodian<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_403">403</a></span> -of these treasures, of which, he told us, he was going -to publish a description in chronological order, according -to the schools. At the end of a gallery arranged -to hold these rarities, we caught sight of the Archduke -Albert, who was doing the honours to Emperor -Alexander, accompanied by General Ouwaroff and -Prince Eugène. We drew near as they were examining -a collection of military maps, the most complete -in Europe.</p> - -<p>‘Cities have been destroyed,’ said Archduke Albert. -‘Empires have toppled over. Tactics have changed, -but military positions remain the same.’ He added: -‘Several comparisons prove that the same chances -have often produced the same results.’ Nevertheless, -it was on the scene of the last war that the -attention of his guests seemed particularly riveted. -Nothing equals in interest the remarks of Emperor -Alexander on inspecting those plans of battles.</p> - -<p>‘There,’ he said, placing his finger on a certain -spot, ‘this or that corps made this or that mistake. -This or that battery took up a wrong position—this -or that charge decided the action. Here, at Austerlitz, -we might have retrieved the game, but Kutusoff -stopped too far away from Mortier, and those frozen -lakes of Augezd and of Monitz, in giving way under -twenty thousand men and fifty pieces of artillery, -completed our disaster.’</p> - -<p>‘Nevertheless,’ said Prince Eugène, ‘we should -perhaps have lost the battle if the emperor had -attacked a few hours earlier. The chances of war are -determined by very small incidents.’</p> - -<p>‘There, at Friedland,’ Alexander went on, everything -was lost by a false cavalry manœuvre, of which -they took advantage, and by the retreat of Korsakoff -on Friedland. Consequently, the whole of his <i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">corps -d’armée</i> was surrounded, and in endeavouring to find -an issue across the waters of the Alle, it found its -death. Take it all in all, we fought well, but we had -to deal with cleverer players than we were.’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_404">404</a></span> -He passed from the campaigns of Italy to those of -Germany, tactfully avoiding speaking of the disastrous -Russian war.</p> - -<p>The emperor and Prince Eugène vied with each -other in courtesy; the archduke put an end to the -subject by showing them a descriptive catalogue -compiled by himself, which, despite his great age, -he continually revised. To enumerate the treasures -contained in this gallery, one ought to have copied -that catalogue from beginning to end. Some of -the drawings dated from the year 1420: there -were more than a hundred and fifty, many of them -by Albert Dürer, and the majority drawn with the -pen, the figures richly coloured, especially some -birds of an admirable finish. A still more particular -interest attached to the engravings of this illustrious -master, inasmuch as they once constituted his -own collection. The duke pointed out to us several -drawings by Raphael, and fifty sketches by Claude -Lorrain.</p> - -<p>The emperor came up to us, and spoke very kindly -to Zibin, and presented him to Prince Eugène as the -youngest Knight of the Order of St. George. Having -overheard the name of Luchesini, he asked him if it -was his father who had been plenipotentiary at the -celebrated Congress of Sistow under Frederick <span class="smcap smaller">II.</span></p> - -<p>‘Yes, sire.’</p> - -<p>‘And where is he now?’</p> - -<p>‘On his estates at Lucca.’</p> - -<p>‘If he writes his recollections,’ remarked Alexander, -‘they will be very interesting, for he has seen and -observed much.’</p> - -<p>We afterwards paid a visit to the sumptuously -decorated apartments. In one of these a pan-harmonium, -composed of a hundred and fifty -wind-instruments, played symphonies and marches, -accompanied with admirable precision by an automatic -trumpet. We left the archduke with his -illustrious visitors and went to the Belvedere in order<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_405">405</a></span> -to see a collection of pictures which had been largely -increased by Joseph <span class="smcap smaller">II.</span> at the suppression of some -convents. The palace of Belvedere requires no -description. Its curator, M. Fugger, was kind enough -to serve as guide, and specially pointed out to us the -Titians, Rubenses, and Vandykes. In the evening -we went as usual to the Comtesse Fuchs’s. There I -met Prince Eugène, and the conversation turned on -the treasures collected at Malmaison, which were -thoroughly appreciated by Prince Gargarine and -Colonel Brozin, who had become acquainted with -them during Alexander’s several visits to Josephine.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_406">406</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2><a id="CHAPTER_XXI"></a>CHAPTER XXI</h2> -</div> - -<blockquote> - -<p>Ypsilanti—Promenade on the Prater—First Rumour of the Escape of -Napoleon—Projects for the Deliverance of Greece—Comte Capo -d’Istria—The Hétairites—Meeting with Ypsilanti in 1820—His -Projects and Reverses.</p></blockquote> - -<p>I had missed Ypsilanti from his usual haunts for a -considerable time, and on the rare occasions that I -caught a glimpse of him, melancholy seemed to have -taken him for its prey. I attributed this to a more -than usually serious love affair, but I had no idea that -his projects for the deliverance of Greece were the -cause of his constant absence. At the moment when -the Congress laboured at the consolidation of a general -peace, the realisation of his generous plan seemed to -recede further into the distance. It was improbable -that Europe, even in the interests of Miltiades and -Themistocles, would allow the equilibrium to be disturbed -and risk once more the world’s repose. One -morning I was riding through the Prater, after a -stormy night which had burst over Vienna and occasioned -much damage. The sky was bright, and the -sun glinted through the trees. I saw Ypsilanti close -to a path where I had seen him just five months -previously, dawdling along, the reins on his horse’s -neck, and, as usual, his face overcast with care. -Thinking the moment opportune to ask him the -cause of an estrangement I regretted, I rode up to -him.</p> - -<p>‘My mind,’ he said, ‘is occupied entirely by something -which, as yet, is a secret that does not belong<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_407">407</a></span> -to me alone. I know your affection for me, and I -will not hesitate to tell you my thoughts the moment -I can do so without damage to a sacred cause, or -without breaking my pledge.’</p> - -<p>His solemn tone surprised me, and I asked him to -speak plainly, but he opposed a determined silence. -His head hung on his breast; his thoughts were -engrossed by something he could not shake off. -Suddenly, he beckoned to his attendant, jumped off -his horse, and invited me to do the same. We strolled -down a solitary avenue, and after a few steps stopped -short. He fixed his piercing eyes on me, violently -clutching my arm.</p> - -<p>‘Napoleon has left Elba,’ he said.</p> - -<p>‘Dear prince!’ I exclaimed. ‘Are you sure?’</p> - -<p>‘Absolutely!’ was the answer. ‘A courier despatched -from Florence to the English Embassy brought -the news this morning. Emperor Alexander and M. -de Nesselrode were informed immediately. There -were no further particulars.’</p> - -<p>‘But this means Europe on fire once more, and a -struggle more terrible than ever.’</p> - -<p>‘Yes. We are about to quit opera for tragedy. -The moment has come in which I feel bound to act. -I have spoken to you of my plan to free Greece. -Henceforth, favoured by this tremendous event, it -will be my business to break her fetters, and to replace -her in her former rank among the nations.’</p> - -<p>‘A noble project. One might call it sublime. -But have you calculated the means necessary to -ensure success?’</p> - -<p>‘I have no doubt about them. That dream of my -very youth, that dream of my early years, will soon -be a reality. War will set Europe again in a blaze; -faithful friends as well as myself are only awaiting -that signal.’</p> - -<p>‘Dear Alexander! Your enthusiasm is nothing -new to me, nor your military talents, nor your -patriotic devotion, but I feel bound to point out to<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_408">408</a></span> -you the dangers of your project, and the impossibility -of its success.’</p> - -<p>I spoke to him for fully half an hour, without -shaking his decision in the least, when suddenly at -the winding of the path, we perceived two men on -horseback. I fancied one of these was the Comte -Capo d’Istria.</p> - -<p>‘Oh!’ he exclaimed, ‘they have kept their word!’ -and without another syllable he ran to his horse, flung -himself on it, and disappeared. Returning to Vienna, -I went to Prince Koslowski, naturally impatient to -know the particulars of the news which was soon -to engross the world’s attention—the departure of -Napoleon from the island of Elba. Amidst the grave -interests which were then paramount, the Greek question -passed unperceived. But when it assumed the -grand proportions it did assume, and aroused the -sympathies of the whole of the civilised world, -history carefully collected every particular connected -with this glorious emancipation. History -has revealed the secrets which Ypsilanti could not -entrust to one of his dearest friends, and later on I -knew the men on whom he counted to second his -efforts. ‘We shall meet again,’ Ypsilanti had shouted -as he disappeared. Alas! we were only to meet once -more, five years later. It was in 1820, on my return -from Carlsbad, when I was on my way to Louiseburg, -near Alexanderbad, in Bavaria. I had been -wandering at random for several hours about the -somewhat melancholy spot, and had reached the -summit of Louiseburg with its famous cross, when at -the foot of the monument I perceived, seated, a fellow-wayfarer, -wrapt in an ample cloak. He was writing -in a book, which he closed as I drew near. He had, -no doubt, been warned by the sound of my footsteps, -for he turned round, and I recognised Ypsilanti. The -five years that had gone by since that memorable -morning towards the end of the Congress had left -profound traces on his features. He was no longer<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_409">409</a></span> -the young and brilliant soldier, the life and soul of -every drawing-room. But although the face was -deeply lined, and the eyes were hollow set, there was -still the lofty animation pervading the handsome -physiognomy. He explained to me that his wounds -had necessitated a journey to Carlsbad, and that while -waiting for some friends, he had pushed as far as Louiseburg, -at the recommendation of the King of Prussia. -In a few moments, the subject ever present to his -thoughts was on his lips. This time, for delivering -his country from the foreign yoke, he counted on -the sympathy of Alexander. I asked him if he had -considered what would happen in the event of a reverse, -and endeavoured to point out to him the improbability -of Russia’s allowing an independent state to be carved -out of some of the most beautiful provinces of the -Turkish Empire. Nothing that I could say would -induce him—not to abandon his enterprise, I had no -sanguine expectations to that effect, but to postpone -it until a more favourable moment. All he would do -was to confide to me a manuscript setting forth the -principal events of his life, but the narration of which -does not come within the scope of this work.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_410">410</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2><a id="CONCLUSION"></a>CONCLUSION</h2> -</div> - -<blockquote> - -<p>Napoleon has left Elba—Aspect of Vienna—Theatricals at the Court—Mme. -Edmond de Périgord and the Rehearsal—Napoleon’s Landing -at Cannes—The Interrupted Dance—Able Conduct of M. de Talleyrand—Declaration -of the 13th March—Fauche Borel—The Congress -is Dissolved.</p></blockquote> - -<p>My task is nearly at an end. Five-and-twenty years -have gone by since the occurrence of the magic scenes -part of which I have endeavoured to reproduce. There -only remains to sketch the last one.</p> - -<p>Prince Koslowski, to whom I went after Ypsilanti -bade me such a hurried farewell in the Prater by -jumping on his horse, confirmed the news told me -by the latter. Napoleon had indeed left Elba. ‘The -master and the prisoner of Europe in one,’ as he -had been energetically called, had left his prison -armed with nothing but his own glory, and, like -Cæsar, had entrusted himself and his fortunes to a -frail barque.</p> - -<p>‘The news,’ said Koslowski, ‘was brought here by -a courier despatched by the English ambassador in -Florence to Lord Stewart. The English consul at -Leghorn had in the first instance transmitted it. -Lord Stewart, who naturally was the first to open -the despatch, informed M. de Metternich and the -sovereigns. The ministers of the great Powers -were told immediately afterwards. It is not known -which road Napoleon has taken. Is he coming to -France, or does he wish, as has been stated, to -get to the United States? For the moment there -is nothing but conjecture. But who shall preserve -him from the storm rumbling and gathering over his -head? Will fortune be able to place on his brow<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_411">411</a></span> -the lightning-conductor to avert the course of that -storm? The high and mighty arbiters of the Congress -desire that the news shall not be spread before they -are able to take measures dictated by the gravity of -the circumstances.’</p> - -<p>Whether the secret had been carefully kept, or -whether the intoxication consequent upon the many -months of festivities had not altogether worn off, it -is impossible to say; but the capital preserved its -usual aspect. The ramparts and the Leopoldstadt -faubourg leading to the Prater were teeming with -strollers, evidently anxious to profit by the first rays -of the spring sun. There was no sign of the thunderbolt -having produced its echo: joy and careless gaiety -everywhere.</p> - -<p>In the evening the company of amateur comedians -was to give a performance in the palace of the -<cite>Barbier de Seville</cite> and of a vaudeville very popular -at that time, entitled <cite>La Danse Interrompue</cite>. The -Prince Koslowski had offered to accompany me to the -imperial residence. Anxious to study the general -physiognomy of the illustrious gathering, and also -hoping to gather some fresh news in connection -with the great event, I had accepted. The gathering -was as brilliant and as numerous as usual. There -was, however, no longer the careless calm of the -morning. Slight clouds, but clouds for all that, darkened -their brows. The company stood chatting in -groups, and here and there the probable consequences -of Napoleon’s departure were discussed with more -than ordinary warmth. ‘He cannot elude the English -cruisers,’ said one. ‘M. Pozzo di Borgo maintains,’ -replied another, ‘that if he sets foot in France, he’ll -be hanged on the nearest tree.’<a id="FNanchor_102" href="#Footnote_102" class="fnanchor">102</a></p> - -<p>Everybody, it seemed, wished to shirk the reality -of the awakening. ‘We ought to think ourselves<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_412">412</a></span> -very lucky,’ said some partisans of the Bourbons of -Sicily. ‘Truly Bonaparte is playing our game admirably. -He may set his helm for Naples; and if so, -the Congress will be obliged to take measures for -the expulsion of that usurper and intruder, Murat.’</p> - -<p>Suddenly the conversations ceased. The Empress -of Austria had entered the room and taken her seat, -and at a signal from her the curtain rose. ‘We’ll -just see,’ I said to Prince Koslowski, ‘if this event, -apparently so unforeseen, has not bred confusion in -the illustrious company of players.’</p> - -<p>‘You may spare yourself such a mistake,’ was the -answer. ‘It would need the enemy at the gates of -Vienna and the thunder of the cannon to rouse them -from their obstinate sleep. When the news came this -morning to M. de Talleyrand, he was still in bed. Mme. -Edmond de Périgord was seated by his pillow and -brightly conversing with him when a letter was -brought in from M. de Metternich. “This is to tell -me the hour fixed for the Congress to-day,” said the -prince, leaving the handsome comtesse to open the -epistle, which, as a matter of course, she does mechanically. -In a moment or so, though, she opens her -eyes very wide and reads the big tidings. She also -had to go during the day to M. de Metternich’s, but -it was merely to rehearse a farce—<cite>Le Sourd, ou -l’Auberge pleine</cite>. “Bonaparte has left Elba,” she -exclaims. “Oh, uncle, and my rehearsal!” “Your -rehearsal, madame,” is the quiet reply, “will take place -all the same.” And the prince was right; the rehearsal -took place just the same. Europe is, perhaps, on the -verge of a general conflagration, but the confidence -of our comedians will not be disturbed by so small a -matter as that.’</p> - -<p>Everybody was studying the faces of the political -notabilities, as a rule so very impassive; people -scanned their looks and tried to read their thoughts. -They all affected a confidence probably far removed -from the reality. The absence of M. de Talleyrand<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_413">413</a></span> -was noticed, and the preoccupation of Emperor -Alexander.</p> - -<p>What had caused this supreme resolution on the -part of Napoleon, the consequences of which were so -fatal to France? Did he expect, in spite of the -enfeebled condition of France, to hold his own once -more against coalesced Europe? Was he so blind -as to entertain the possibility of henceforth living in -peace with all those sovereigns to whom he had -formerly dictated, and whom he had taught the road -to Paris? Or was not his flight from Elba an act of -despair in order to escape a captivity which, six years -later, was to make an end of him on the rock of -St. Helena?</p> - -<p>Certain was it that the presence of the Emperor of -the French in the midst of the Mediterranean, and -the independence, nay, the shadow of power which -was left to him, had aroused the alarm of the Congress. -It was well known that there existed in -Paris a centre of intrigues and correspondence having -for its aim the restoration of the imperial <i>régime</i>. -Queen Hortense was the soul of that conspiracy, which -was known to everybody except the blind Bourbons. -During the stay of Queen Hortense there, in August -1814, Madame de Krüdener, so celebrated subsequently -in consequence of her mystic connection with -Emperor Alexander, had foretold to her the return of -Napoleon. Hence, from the beginning of the conferences, -the question of choosing another place of -exile, or rather of transportation, was broached, though -the strictest secrecy was kept about the matter. -Nevertheless, it was only towards the end of January -that St. Helena was mentioned by M. Pozzo di Borgo, -who professed to have received letters informing him -of the arrest at Genoa, at Florence, and on the whole -of the coast, of the emissaries of Napoleon. ‘Europe,’ -Pozzo had said, ‘would not be at rest until she had -put the ocean between herself and that man.’</p> - -<p>It was asserted that Prince Eugène owed the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_414">414</a></span> -revelation of that important secret to his intimacy -with Emperor Alexander, and that he lost no time in -informing Napoleon. The latter no longer hesitated, -and made up his mind to return to France. From -that moment, Alexander became most cool and distant -towards Eugène.</p> - -<p>Vienna remained without further news for nearly -five days, during which the receptions and entertainments -went on as if nothing had happened, the -general concern apparently becoming less and less. -Finally, though, there was no possibility of denying -the truth; the thunderclap came: Napoleon was in -France. The adventurer, as Pozzo di Borgo dared to -call him, was welcomed everywhere by frantically -enthusiastic populations. The soldiers rushed to -meet their general; there was no obstacle to his -triumphal march. The fall of the Colossus, which had -appeared incomprehensible, was less surprising than -the resurrection of his power.</p> - -<p>The news of Napoleon’s landing at Cannes came -while the ball at M. de Metternich’s was at its height. -The tidings had the effect of the stroke of the wand -or the whistle of the stage-carpenter, which transforms -the gardens of Armida into a wilderness. In fact, -the thousands of candles seemed to have gone out -simultaneously. The news spread with the rapidity -of an electric current. In vain did the orchestra continue -the strains of a waltz just begun; the dancers -stopped of their own accord, looking at and interrogating -each other; the four words, ‘He is in France,’ -were like the shield of Ubaldo which, presented to the -gaze of Rinaldo, suddenly destroyed all the charms -of Armida.</p> - -<p>Emperor Alexander took a few steps towards the -Prince de Talleyrand. ‘I told you that it would not -last,’ he said. The French plenipotentiary did not -move a muscle of his face, and simply bowed without -replying. The King of Prussia gave a sign to the -Duke of Wellington, and both left the ball-room<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_415">415</a></span> -together, followed almost immediately by Emperors -Alexander and Francis and M. de Metternich. The -majority of the guests seemed bent upon disappearing -unnoticed, so that finally the place became deserted -save for a few apparently terror-stricken talkers.</p> - -<p>The Prince Koslowski, whom I saw during the -evening, was unable to add anything to the news -already current among the public. ‘This is an -excellent opportunity for the players to give us a -second performance of that charming vaudeville <cite>La -Danse Interrompue</cite>. Comte Palfi, who played the -part of Wasner so brightly, might well sing:</p> - -<div class="poem-container"> -<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> -<span class="iq2">‘“Enfin voilà la danse interrompue;<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Comment tenir à cet incident-là?”<br /></span> -</div></div> -</div> - -<p class="in0">The chorus, I am afraid, will probably be accompanied -in a short time by the thunder of a hundred -thousand firearms. This news,’ he went on, ‘will no -doubt remind you of the tidings of the taking of -Amiens by the Spaniards, told to Henri <span class="smcap smaller">IV.</span> in the midst -of a ballet in which both he and Sully were dancing, -though it is difficult to imagine Sully disporting himself -in that way: he was certainly not famed for -that kind of thing. “Mistress mine,” said the king to -“la belle Gabrielle” (d’Estrées), taking her hand, “we -are bound to give up our dancing and our games; -we must to horse, and recommence another war. -There’s a truce to the joys of love.” It would be -well, perhaps, to translate the phrase into several -languages for the benefit of some of the would-be -Henri Quatres assembled here.’</p> - -<p>It would be impossible to depict the aspect of the -Austrian capital from that moment. Vienna was like -an individual who, lulled to sleep by dreams of love -and ambition, suddenly found himself violently -awakened by the rattle of the watchman or the clanging -of the belfry warning him that his house was -on fire. The various guests from all parts of Europe -could not recall without dread the phases of the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_416">416</a></span> -period that had just gone by. The constantly renewed -disasters of a quarter of a century of war; the invaded -capitals; the battlefields bestrewn with the dead; -commerce and industry paralysed; whole families, -nay, whole nations, in mourning—all this presented -itself simultaneously to their minds; and the recollection -of the lurid flames of Moscow lent additional -terror to the picture. No doubt there had been recent -reprisals on their part; and the presence of the Allied -Armies in Paris proved to a certain extent that the -terms ‘unvanquished’ and ‘invincible’ were by no -means synonymous. This, however, rendered their -anxiety all the greater. To fell the Colossus to the -ground, it had required a conjunction of circumstances, -and, moreover, an accord of sentiments and ideas, -which had increased the strength of each individual -nation tenfold. At present those nations had assumed -an observant attitude towards each other; the stern -reality only showed the certainty of evils which had -been considered as dispelled for ever.</p> - -<p>Under those grave circumstances, M. de Talleyrand -gave proof of an ability and a strength of will that -had the effect of carrying all before it. Never was -there a more difficult rôle than his. He was, as it -were, the buffer betwixt the government he represented -and France, whose interest he wished to save, -and the inimical Powers, which confounded in the self-same -ban Napoleon and the country which once more -had welcomed him. I was not in Paris at the time of -the first Restoration; Talleyrand’s conduct, therefore, -only came to me through contemporary accounts, -not always to be depended on for their veracity. -But having been an eye-witness of what he did in -March 1815 for his country and for the Bourbons, I -have no hesitation in saying that the latter were -indebted to him a second time for their crown; and -that France, perhaps, owed to him her existence as -a nation. He understood, with marvellous intuition, -that these two facts were narrowly bound up with<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_417">417</a></span> -and emanated from each other. Hence his attitude, -and his efforts to obtain the declaration of the 13th -March.</p> - -<p>That famous act, so differently appreciated, claims -its mention here. The irritation in Vienna was at its -height, and kept up by the prospect of a relentless -war. The enthusiasm aroused by Napoleon’s presence, -the welcome given to him by the various -populations, the rallying around him of the army—all -these things combined caused the French nation -to be looked upon as an accomplice to the breaking -of the much desired peace. There was, moreover, -the dread of a revival of the Revolutionary ideas, -the delirium of which had struck terror throughout -Europe. The Emperor of Austria, addressing -the czar, had said ‘Behold, sire, the result of -your holding your hand over your Paris Jacobins.’ -‘That’s true, sire,’ was the answer, ‘but to repair the -wrong, I hold myself and my armies at your Majesty’s -disposal.’</p> - -<p>The quarrel on the point of breaking out was, -therefore, between France on the one side, and the -whole of Europe on the other; a duel to the bitter -end, which could only cease with the death of one of -the combatants. I also heard the word ‘partition’ -mentioned, and the example of Poland was there to -prove that a nation may be struck off the European -family register.</p> - -<p>M. de Talleyrand, on the contrary, laid down the -principle that in 1815, as in the previous year, Europe -could be at war with Napoleon only and not with -France. He manœuvred with so much skill or so -much luck as to overcome all obstacles and entirely to -change the intentions hostile to France, and finally to -obtain the acceptance of his principle. A score of -times the Congress was about to separate without -having made up its mind to anything save a blind -and relentless war; a score of times he rallied around -him opinions fundamentally opposed to each other.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_418">418</a></span> -I am aware of the repugnance of certain dogmatic -minds to these compromises inspired by prudence. -Over and again it has been said that it would have -been better for France to accept a declaration of war—a -threat of extermination addressed to herself. In -her hour of despair, the country would have found a -supernatural force; she would have perished in the -struggle or obtained a glorious triumph.</p> - -<p>M. de Talleyrand was swayed by too much moderation -to risk this; he had too correct a notion of the -enfeebled condition of France to fling her once more -into violent and desperate adventures. He himself -beheld Europe ready to rise as one man; he directed -the rise against an individual instead of against a -people. And in this he acted rightly. His conduct -was appreciated and admired in Vienna as the triumph -of reason and of an enlightened patriotism. More -than once he returned from the Congress to his -residence utterly discouraged. On the morning of -the 13th March, the day appointed for the signing of -this important act, he was by no means sure of his -success. Meanwhile, everything depended on it. -When he was ready to go to M. de Metternich, his -<i>entourage</i> could not refrain from showing a natural -anxiety. ‘Wait for me here,’ he said, ‘and in order -not to try your patience by as much as a minute, -watch for my return at the windows. If I have succeeded, -I’ll show you from the carriage the treaty -on which shall depend the fate of Europe and of -France.’</p> - -<p>A few hours later, when coming back, he waved -the roll containing the signatures of the arbiters of -peace who had become the arbiters of war. For a -moment, though, the accord obtained with so much -labour was on the point of being broken. It was -when the Congress heard of the flight of Louis <span class="smcap smaller">XVIII.</span> -from the Tuileries without an attempt at striking a -blow, and of Napoleon’s taking possession of the -palace. Emperor Alexander, in particular, failed to<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_419">419</a></span> -understand the tame submission of the Bourbon -family and the absence of a single defender.</p> - -<p>One morning I ran up against General Ouwaroff. -‘The czar,’ he said, ‘has not recovered from his surprise. -He is tired of war, and just now he repeated -to me at least a dozen times, “Never shall I draw -the sword for them.”’</p> - -<p>M. de Talleyrand, in addition to this, performed -wonders of skill and patience in the retying of the -loosened ‘Congress bundle’ and in directing the -various wills of which it was composed towards one -common aim. If, on the one hand, the masses beheld -with terror the horizon becoming once more dark -with threatening clouds, the men devoured with -ambition rejoiced at the probable revival of a time -of glory. For, disguise it as one will, the intrigues -which were already set on foot to overthrow or to -support Napoleon offered a prospect of a prompt -result in the way of grandeur and riches. Among the -many ambitious ones of various ranks who rushed in -crowds to Vienna, the ubiquitous Fauche-Borel, the -secret agent of the Bourbon princes during the -emigration, was foremost. He came once more to -offer his fortune, his devotion, and even the blood of -his family for a cause in which he had sacrificed everything. -No one had a greater right than he to call -kings ‘the illustriously ungrateful.’ His adventurous -life, his expensive tastes, had promptly swallowed all -the sums he received from the house of Bourbon and -from the British Government. His was indeed a -strange destiny. The crowning of his efforts turned -out to be a disaster to his personal fortune. For -twenty years his numberless creditors had awaited -patiently the day of his success. Scarcely were the -Bourbons seated on the throne, the access to which -had been facilitated by him, than everybody imagined -the ill-fated bookseller of Neufchâtel to be loaded with -gold and honours. Pressed on all sides and but -meanly remunerated, his position was a thousand times<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_420">420</a></span> -harder than it had been before. Hence, he was going -to resume his life of intriguing and hopes. If a warning -were needed for the ambitious against their all-engrossing -craving to be somebody or to appear to be -somebody, no more striking example could be advanced -than that of Fauche-Borel putting an end to his disappointed -ambition by committing suicide, and by -that death setting the seal on everything that has -been said about the ingratitude of princes.</p> - -<p>‘The Congress is dissolved,’ Napoleon had said, on -setting his foot on French soil at Cannes. Meanwhile, -on the 11th March, in the midst of the general -consternation, a company of amateurs still played -in the Redotto hall <cite>Le Calife de Bagdad</cite> and <cite>Les -Rivaux d’eux-mêmes</cite>, and, strange though it may -appear, there was a larger audience than might have -been expected. It was, however, the final flicker of -the expiring lamp; the last feeble sound of the -broken instrument. Pleasure took flight. ‘The Congress -is dissolved.’</p> - -<p class="p2 center">THE END</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_421">421</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"><div class="footnotes"> -<h2 class="nobreak p1"><a id="FOOTNOTES"></a>FOOTNOTES</h2> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn1"><a id="Footnote_1" href="#FNanchor_1" class="fnanchor">1</a> Throughout this translation I have left many of the nobiliary titles -and names of the Continental aristocracy in their French garb; those -of the English personages mentioned I have reduced to their original -expression.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn1"><a id="Footnote_2" href="#FNanchor_2" class="fnanchor">2</a> Bourgeois was then, as now, the appellation commonly bestowed upon -the members of the middle classes.—Transl.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn1"><a id="Footnote_3" href="#FNanchor_3" class="fnanchor">3</a> The marquisate was created in 1663, and was registered in the -Parliament of Languedoc. It was bestowed upon Louis-François de La -Garde, chevalier seigneur de Chambonas, son of Antoine de La Garde, -married to Charlotte de la Beaume de Suze. The title passed to his -nephew, Scipion-Louis-Joseph, who was brigadier in the king’s armies -in 1744, and who died 27th February 1765. He married: First, Claire-Marie, -Princesse de Ligne; second, Louise-Victoire-Marie de Grimoard -de Beauvoir du Roure, daughter of the Comte du Roure, lieutenant-general -in the king’s armies, and of Marie-Antoinette-Victoire de -Gontaut Biron. The issue of the second marriage was two boys, one -of whom was Scipion-Charles-Victor-Auguste, Marquis de Chambonas, -Baron de Saint-Félix and d’Auberque, Comte de Saint-Julien, who -married on the 2nd April 1774, Mlle. de Lespinasse de Langeac. (<cite>Administrative -Archives of the Dépôt</cite> (Ministry of War and La Chesnaye des Bois), -3rd edition, Article ‘La Garde.’)</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn1"><a id="Footnote_4" href="#FNanchor_4" class="fnanchor">4</a> In the few passages of the <cite>Recollections of the Congress of Vienna</cite>, -where the author refers to his childhood and his family, he deliberately -throws a veil over both subjects. Without the <cite>Unpublished Notes</cite>, the -pages of which bearing upon the present publication were kindly communicated -to us by the present head of the family, M. le Marquis de -Chambonas, we should have failed to pierce the darkness in which certain -parts of our writer’s life are wrapped.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn1"><a id="Footnote_5" href="#FNanchor_5" class="fnanchor">5</a> I can only follow the original. This is not the name of the godmother -mentioned in the certificate of baptism; but Mme. Barryals had -probably contracted a second marriage.—Transl.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn1"><a id="Footnote_6" href="#FNanchor_6" class="fnanchor">6</a> I am preparing for publication the <cite>Mémoires du Général le Marquis -d’ Hautpoul</cite>, who, as a child, spent the whole of the Terror in the neighbourhood -of Versailles with his relatives, including his father, a former -colonel. It should be said, though, that a member of the Convention had -made them adopt the disguise of gardeners.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn1"><a id="Footnote_7" href="#FNanchor_7" class="fnanchor">7</a> From that moment, M. de La Garde’s information about the Marquis -de Chambonas becomes very scant. In his <cite>Unpublished Notes</cite> there are -a couple of grateful references to his ‘father,’ but that is all. We are -left in ignorance about the disparities of character which appear to have -parted them for ever. All that is known about M. de Chambonas is due -to the documents (<i>dossier</i>) relating to him, preserved in the Archives of -the Ministry of War. He seems to have settled definitely in England. -Wrecked in health, and even paralysed, it is from there that he petitions -in 1816. Finally, he obtained a modest pension with the superior -grade of lieutenant-general. He died in Paris, not in 1807, as is stated -by one biographer, but in February 1830.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn1"><a id="Footnote_8" href="#FNanchor_8" class="fnanchor">8</a> The <cite>Album</cite> contains, moreover, a short biography of the queen, some -of her letters to M. de La Garde, and a facsimile of his handwriting; -the whole on vellum-made paper, with gilt ornamental borders. The -book is very rare. M. le Marquis de Chambonas has a copy of it -belonging to his uncle. I have the good fortune to possess another.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn1"><a id="Footnote_9" href="#FNanchor_9" class="fnanchor">9</a> It is well known that the first words of Napoleon on setting foot on -French soil in 1815, were: ‘The Congress is dissolved.’</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_10" href="#FNanchor_10" class="fnanchor">10</a> Not to be confounded with Bernardin de Saint-Pierre, the author of -<cite>Paul et Virginie</cite>. The Abbé de Saint-Pierre’s literary fame mainly rests -on a book entitled <cite>Projet de Paix Perpétuelle</cite>. M. Bloch, the Russian -Utopist of to-day, has invented nothing.—Transl.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_11" href="#FNanchor_11" class="fnanchor">11</a> Baron Wilhelm von Humboldt, eminent diplomatist and statesman, -celebrated philologist, born at Potsdam in 1767, died in 1835. He took -part in the Conferences of Prague, Châtillon, Paris, and Vienna. He left -valued works on the primitive dwellers in Spain, on the Chinese language -(letters written in French to M. A. de Rémusat), and a collection of -studies on æsthetics, etc. 6 Volumes. Berlin 1841–48.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_12" href="#FNanchor_12" class="fnanchor">12</a> She was the sister of George <span class="smcap smaller">III.</span>, and became involved in a love-affair -with Struensee, her husband’s prime minister. Struensee was beheaded, -and she was sentenced to divorce and exile.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_13" href="#FNanchor_13" class="fnanchor">13</a> The sentence may be interpreted in two ways. The absolutely -modern version would be ‘the most honest man’; the Molièresque sense, -‘the most accomplished man of the world.’—Transl.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_14" href="#FNanchor_14" class="fnanchor">14</a> I have re-translated the passage as closely as possible, although -perfectly aware of its being neither a faithful French rendering nor even -a passably brilliant paraphrase of the original in <cite>Henry VIII.</cite>, Act <span class="smcap smaller">I</span>. I -had no choice in the matter. It does not transpire whether M. de La -Garde was responsible for it, or whether he copied it from a French -version of the play.—Transl.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_15" href="#FNanchor_15" class="fnanchor">15</a> Charles Joseph, Prince de Ligne, whom the Comte de la Garde mentions -so frequently, and always in terms of the deepest veneration, was -indeed a grandiose figure. Born in Brussels in 1735, he entered the -service of Austria, and distinguished himself in the Seven Years’ War. -He was made a major-general in 1766, a lieutenant-general in 1771, and -the campaign of 1778 only increased his military reputation. Subsequently -he travelled in Italy, in Switzerland, and in France; at Versailles -he was thoroughly appreciated as a very able, amiable, and witty grand -seigneur. In Russia, whither he was sent in 1782 on a mission, he -became <i xml:lang="la" lang="la">persona gratissima</i> with Catherine the Great, who bestowed upon -him an estate in the Crimea. He was present, as a general, at the siege -of Oklakoff, directed by Potemkin, and at some of the actions of Laudon. -In consequence of the part borne by his son in the insurrection of the -Netherlands (the provinces now constituting the kingdom of Belgium), -against Austria, he was removed from public life, and, though a field-marshal -in 1808, he had no longer a command. The Prince de Ligne was -an able and profound tactician. He left a great number of writings -both in German and in French. They are replete with witty and pungent -remarks, but the style is incorrect and diffuse. Under the title of -<cite>Mélanges militaires, littéraires et sentimentaires</cite>, there are thirty volumes -(1798–1809). His <cite>Journal des Guerres</cite> and <cite>l’Essai sur les Jardins</cite> are -worth keeping. In addition to these he published in 1809 a <cite>Vie du -Prince Eugène de Savoie</cite>. Madame de Staël, Malte-Brun, and Lacroix, -have published either <cite>Lettres</cite> or <cite>Fragments</cite>, which were well worthy of -being preserved, and which have practically become classics. His <cite>Lettres -de Russie à la Marquise de Coigny</cite> have been published by Lescure, -Librairie des Bibliophiles, and M. Lucien Percy has just published his -<cite>Lettres à Catherine II.</cite></p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_16" href="#FNanchor_16" class="fnanchor">16</a> <i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">Née</i> de Conflans d’Armentières, perhaps the only woman who succeeded -in being <em>platonically</em> beloved by Lauzun. Paul Lacroix published -these letters in a strictly limited edition of a hundred copies. The -Marquise’s daughter married the well-known General Sebastiani, and died -in giving birth to the future Duchesse de Praslin, who met with such a -tragic end.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_17" href="#FNanchor_17" class="fnanchor">17</a> The Prince de Ligne had bestowed the sobriquet on Napoleon, in -allusion to his departure for Elba, and not from scorn, for nobody professed -a greater admiration and more genuine sympathy than he for the -most illustrious and most ill-fated figure of modern times.—Note of the -Comte de la Garde.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_18" href="#FNanchor_18" class="fnanchor">18</a> The Prince de Ligne had three daughters—the Princess Clary, the -Comtesse Palfi, and the Baronne Spiegel; and two sons, Charles and -Louis, of whom the former married the exquisitely sweet and pretty -Hélène Massalska, and the latter, whence sprung the present Princes de -Ligne, died prematurely.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_19" href="#FNanchor_19" class="fnanchor">19</a> Frederick <span class="smcap smaller">I.</span>, Duke, afterwards King, of Würtemberg, became in -1805 the ally of Napoleon, who created his royal title and gained his -admission into the Confederation of the Rhine. In 1813 he joined the -Allied Powers against France. After a somewhat despotic reign, he -granted his subjects a constitution in 1815. One of his daughters, -Catherine, married Jérôme Bonaparte, some time King of Westphalia, -and proved herself a woman of exemplary moral worth and courage under -most trying circumstances.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_20" href="#FNanchor_20" class="fnanchor">20</a> See <i>infra</i>, the biographical notes on these princes.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_21" href="#FNanchor_21" class="fnanchor">21</a> M. de la Garde published an account of that journey.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_22" href="#FNanchor_22" class="fnanchor">22</a> Tettenborn was to the last very outspoken. At the time of his stay -in Paris, court dress was <i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">de rigueur</i> at the Tuileries for civilians and -military, even if the latter belonged to foreign armies. Tettenborn was -a superior officer of hussars; nevertheless he complied with the regulations, -but he did not shave his moustache. Napoleon remarked upon -this in a bantering tone. ‘You’ll admit,’ he said, ‘that a pair of -moustachios goes badly with this costume.’ ‘Pardon me, sire, it’s the -dress which looks ridiculous with a pair of moustachios,’ was the -prompt answer.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_23" href="#FNanchor_23" class="fnanchor">23</a> The Comte de Las-Cases, in his <cite>Mémorial de Sainte-Hélène</cite>, reports -another case of the freaks of fate. ‘Serrurier and the younger -Hédouville,’ said Napoleon, ‘were marching in company with the intention -of making their way into Spain, when they met with a patrol. -Hédouville, younger and more nimble than his companion, managed to -cross the frontier, and considering himself lucky, vegetated for a long -time in Spain. Serrurier, compelled to turn back, became a marshal of -France.’—<i>Author’s Note.</i></p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_24" href="#FNanchor_24" class="fnanchor">24</a> She was, nevertheless, an aunt (by blood) of Emperor Franz, and one -of his mothers-in-law. Students of history know the adventures of -the sister of Marie-Antoinette, of her compromising relations with -Nelson, and her strange affection for Lady Hamilton. King Ferdinand -had just been restored to his throne when the queen died (7th September -1814).</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_25" href="#FNanchor_25" class="fnanchor">25</a> In Roman Catholic countries the day of the saint after whom the -person is named, rather than the birthday, is kept.—Transl.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_26" href="#FNanchor_26" class="fnanchor">26</a> Frederick <span class="smcap smaller">VI.</span>, King of Denmark, born in 1768, died in 1839. His -father, Christian <span class="smcap smaller">VII.</span>, became impaired in intellect, and the Queen -Dowager took the reins of government. Frederick deprived her of the -Regency in 1784 and ascended the throne in 1808. In the following -year, he imposed upon the Swedes, who wished to dispossess him of -Norway, the Treaty of Jongkopping. He contracted a durable alliance -with France, which was made a pretext by the European Coalition for -punishing him by giving Norway to Sweden (Treaty of Kiel). But he -received in compensation Rügen and Swedish Pomerania, which in 1816 -he exchanged for the Duchy of Lauenburg.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_27" href="#FNanchor_27" class="fnanchor">27</a> Charles Robert, Comte de Nesselrode, born in 1780, died in 1862; -a most able Russian diplomatist. After having filled several posts in -Germany and at the Hague, he was Councillor of Embassy in Paris in -1807. As early as 1810 he was enabled to warn his sovereign with regard -to the secret armaments of Napoleon in view of a rupture with -Russia, and from that moment his credit with Alexander <span class="smcap smaller">I.</span> grew immensely. -Nesselrode was called to the Chancellorship of State, and -subsequently shared with Capo d’Istria the direction of Foreign Affairs. -It was he who inspired the Coalition against France in 1813, and signed -the Convention of Breslau, the Treaty of Subsidies with England, and -the League of Toeplitz. In 1814, he accompanied the Czar to France, -signed the Treaty of Chaumont, and negotiated the capitulation with -Marmont. He played an important part at the Congress of Vienna. -Subsequently at Aix-la-Chapelle (1818), at Laybach (1821), and at -Vienna (1822) he exercised a preponderant influence. Under Nicholas <span class="smcap smaller">I.</span>, -who maintained him in his functions, Nesselrode practically established -Russia’s influence on ‘young’ Greece, and was the author of two treaties -humiliating to Turkey, viz., that of Adrianople (1829) and that of -Unkiar-Skelessi (1833). In 1840 his diplomatic skill kept France excluded -from the European Concert. He succeeded in preventing the -European Powers from intervening in the affairs of Poland (1830–31), -and in 1848, after for some time merely preserving a watchful attitude in -Hungarian affairs, he finally flung Russia’s power in the balance in -Austria’s favour, and increased his master’s influence in the East. He was -a partisan of a peaceful settlement of the difficulties cropping up in 1854, -and endeavoured to avoid a conflict between France and Russia. His -last political act was the conclusion of peace and the Treaty of Paris, -after which he retired, though preserving the titular Chancellorship of -the Empire. His despatches are models of conciseness.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_28" href="#FNanchor_28" class="fnanchor">28</a> The defender of Saint Jean d’Acre against Bonaparte, and one of the -signatories of the Convention of El-Arish; Kleber being the other. He -assisted the King of Portugal in his departure for Brazil in 1807, and -accompanied him thither. He retired from the service in 1810, and -spent his time mainly in philanthropic work. Admiral in 1821, died in -Paris, 1840.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_29" href="#FNanchor_29" class="fnanchor">29</a> Subsequently known as the Duchesse de Dino, and afterwards -de Talleyrand. She was supposed to be the Egeria of the Prince de -Talleyrand, and kept house for him, either at Valençay, Paris, or London, -during his embassy in the latter capital in 1830. She was a pre-eminent -and exceedingly cultivated woman.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_30" href="#FNanchor_30" class="fnanchor">30</a> The name of Pahlen recalls the conspiracy of March 1801, which put -an end to the days of Emperor Paul <span class="smcap smaller">I.</span></p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_31" href="#FNanchor_31" class="fnanchor">31</a> The son of Comtesse Sophie Potocka by her first husband.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_32" href="#FNanchor_32" class="fnanchor">32</a> Frédéric de Gentz (1764–1832) author and diplomatist, the principal -projector of the Coalition of the Holy Alliance. He was the defender from -conviction of all the absolute monarchies; pensioned by Pitt during the -Revolution; Aulic Councillor in 1805 at Vienna, and in the interval -staunchly devoted to the interests of Prussia. It was he who was -entrusted with the drawing-up of the manifesto of the Powers in 1813. -From that moment he exercised great influence on the diplomacy of -Europe, and was present, in one or the other capacity, at all the Congresses. -He published several political works, one of which was written -in French, viz., <cite>Journal de ce qui est arrivé dans le Voyage que j’ai fait -au Quartier Général de S. M. le Roi de Prusse</cite>, Oct. 1806. Mention -should also be made of a series of brochures on <cite>The Rights of Man</cite>, <cite>The -European Equilibrium</cite>, a <cite>Life of Marie Stuart</cite>, etc. Comte Prokesch-Osten -(the son of the friend and confidant of the Duc de Reichstadt), -published with Plon in 1870 <cite>The Unpublished Despatches of the Chevalier -de Gentz to the Hospodars of Wallachia</cite>.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_33" href="#FNanchor_33" class="fnanchor">33</a> Sir John Sinclair was the president of the Agricultural Society of -Edinburgh. The story of young Sinclair is in all the <cite>Memoirs</cite> of the -First Empire. See, above all, an account of the whole affair written by -young Sinclair himself in the <cite>Edinburgh Review</cite> of 1826.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_34" href="#FNanchor_34" class="fnanchor">34</a> Emeric Joseph, Duc de Dalberg, was the nephew of the Bishop of -Constance, who was Elector of Mainz and Prince-Primate and Grand -Duke of Frankfurt-on-the-Main, and in his various dignities gave such -startling proofs of his honesty in private life and his high intellectual -culture. The nephew, at first Baron de Dalberg, after having represented -the Margraviate of Baden in Paris, became a great friend of Talleyrand, -married the Marquise de Brignole, lady of honour to the Empress -Josephine, took out letters of naturalisation and obtained the title of duc -with a counsellorship of State. He was one of the negotiators of the -marriage of Napoleon with Marie-Louise, but in 1814 promptly deserted -the fortunes of Napoleon. He was one of the five members of the Provisional -Government, and took part in the Congress of Vienna as a plenipotentiary. -Subsequently he was created a peer of France and appointed -to the ambassadorship at Turin. Born in 1773 at Mainz, he died at -Hernsheim in 1833. His ducal title went to his nephew, the Comte de -Tascher de la Pagerie.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_35" href="#FNanchor_35" class="fnanchor">35</a> This correspondence has been annotated and published by M. Pallain, -(Plon, 1888). The correspondence of M. de Talleyrand with Louis <span class="smcap smaller">XVIII.</span> -forms part of the third volume of the Talleyrand <cite>Memoirs</cite>.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_36" href="#FNanchor_36" class="fnanchor">36</a> Known at first as the Comte de Chinon, and subsequently, up to the -death of his father in 1791, as the Duc de Fronsac, Armand Emmanuel -Sophie Septimanie, Duc de Richelieu, and grandson of the famous -marshal, was born in 1776, and died in 1822. He was the First Gentleman -of the Chamber of Louis <span class="smcap smaller">XVI.</span> at the moment the Revolution broke out. -He emigrated and entered the service of Catherine <span class="smcap smaller">II.</span>, and distinguished -himself under Suvaroff at the siege of Ismaël, and subsequently commanded -an army corps under Condé before Valenciennes in 1793. Having -returned to Russia, where they gave him a cavalry regiment, he fell into -disgrace during the reign of Paul <span class="smcap smaller">I.</span>, and went back to France in 1801. He -declined, however, to renounce foreign military service, and was compelled -to leave; when he placed himself at the disposal of Alexander <span class="smcap smaller">I.</span>, who -appointed him Governor of Odessa. His services to New Russia in general, -and to Odessa in particular, are well known; but on the restoration of -the Bourbons in 1814, he re-entered France with them and had a peerage -conferred upon him, while at the same time he was appointed First Gentleman -of the Chamber. During the Hundred Days he followed Louis <span class="smcap smaller">XVIII.</span> -to Ghent, then at the second Restoration was given the Presidency of the -Council (Premiership) with the portfolio of Foreign Affairs. He rendered -eminent services, in using his credit with Alexander <span class="smcap smaller">I.</span>, by reducing the -War Indemnity, and the occupation of France by foreign troops from seven -years to five. When he resigned the Ministry in 1818, the Chambers voted -him an income of fifty thousand francs as a national reward; he employed -those sums for the foundation of an asylum for the aged at Bordeaux. In -1820, after the assassination of the Duc de Berry and the disgrace of -Decazes, he once more accepted the Presidency of the Council, but his -difficulties with the Chambers made him resign in 1821. He died in the -following year, universally esteemed and regretted. He had been a member -of the Académie Française since 1816. Several memoirs of recent works -have contributed much to bring his figure into relief: the <cite>Mémoires of -General Comte de Rochechouart; Le Duc de Richelieu</cite>, by M. R. de -Cisternes; <cite>Louis XVIII. et le Duc Decazes</cite>, by M. Ernest Daudet, etc.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_37" href="#FNanchor_37" class="fnanchor">37</a> Charles André, Comte Pozzo di Borgo, born in Corsica in 1764, died -in Paris in 1842. He began his career as an advocate at Pisa, and was -secretary to Paoli, member of the Corsican Directory in 1790, deputy in -1791 of the Legislative Assembly. At his return, he openly declared -himself the enemy of the Bonaparte family, and seconded Paoli, who -wished to deliver Corsica to the English. Having become the creature -of Lord Eliot, the viceroy, he was the cause of the recall of Paoli to -London. He himself was bound to fly before the hatred of his countrymen. -As a secret diplomatic agent, he served in turns Prussia, England, -Austria, and Russia. Expelled from Russia in 1807 at the demand of -Napoleon, he was obliged to retire to Constantinople. In 1813 he was -recalled to Russia, and in the following year was sent to Louis <span class="smcap smaller">XVIII.</span> as -ambassador. He took part in all the Congresses of the Holy Alliance, and -in 1823 was entrusted with the surveillance of the French army in Spain. -In 1835 he was the Russian ambassador in London, and retired from -public life in 1839.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_38" href="#FNanchor_38" class="fnanchor">38</a> Written about 1830. Charles <span class="smcap smaller">XIV.</span> (Bernadotte), who died in 1844.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_39" href="#FNanchor_39" class="fnanchor">39</a> Robert Stewart, Viscount Castlereagh, afterwards Marquis of -Londonderry, English statesman, born in 1769, died in 1822. In the -Commons he supported the policy of Pitt; sent to Ireland in 1797, his -administration was marked by extreme violence. He joined one of the -Cabinets of Fox as Minister of War and of the Colonies, resigned his -portfolio in 1806, resumed office in the following year, and became the -directing power of England’s policy. He was the relentless enemy of the -Revolution and of Napoleon, and granted subsidies to all the powers arrayed -against him. At the Congress of Vienna, where he sacrificed Poland, -Saxony and Belgium, he incurred great hatred, and his acts were strenuously -opposed in Parliament itself. His anti-liberal government rendered -him unpopular, and besides his weakness for the Holy Alliance, his malignant -persecution of Caroline of Brunswick, the Consort of George <span class="smcap smaller">IV.</span>, and -his brutality towards the poorer classes made him generally disliked. He -killed himself in a fit of insanity. Castlereagh had a great reputation as -a political orator, but though more fluent than Canning (with whom he -fought a duel in 1806), his speeches lacked the charm of the latter’s. His -son, the Marquis of Londonderry, ambassador and political writer, distinguished -himself in the House of Lords by a violent Toryism and his -hatred of France.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_40" href="#FNanchor_40" class="fnanchor">40</a> See the <cite>Mémoires du Général Comte de Rochechouart</cite> (Plon, 1895).</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_41" href="#FNanchor_41" class="fnanchor">41</a> Mme. Davidoff was a daughter of the Duc de Gramont and of the -Duchesse, <i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">née</i> de Polignac.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_42" href="#FNanchor_42" class="fnanchor">42</a> It is difficult to take this panegyric at its own estimate. M. de La -Garde had been well treated by M. de Talleyrand, and his rare gratitude -does him infinite credit; but to lay stress on M. de Talleyrand’s heart is -a dubious piece of flattery.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_43" href="#FNanchor_43" class="fnanchor">43</a> Maximilian-Joseph, Elector, and subsequently King, of Bavaria, under -the title of Maximilian <span class="smcap smaller">I.</span>, son of Frederick, Prince des Deux-Ponts -Berkenfeld. He was born in 1756, and died in 1825. He at first served -in the French army, became colonel of the regiment of Alsace, and -remained at Strasburg from 1782 to 1789. He succeeded his brother, -Charles <span class="smcap smaller">II.</span>, in the dukedom of Deux-Ponts, and his uncle, Charles -Theodore, as Elector of Bavaria, and as Duke of Berg and Juliers in -1799. In 1805 he threw in his lot with the Confederation of the Rhine, -and at the Peace of Presburg received the title of king. In 1806 he -married one of his daughters to Eugène de Beauharnais, and the other to -the Emperor Francis of Austria. In 1813 he joined the coalition against -France. In 1818 he gave a Constitution to his subjects; he made some -salutary reforms in the administration, and greatly encouraged art and -science.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_44" href="#FNanchor_44" class="fnanchor">44</a> At nine o’clock on the evening of the 10th May 1809, shells are -thrown into the city of Vienna. At that moment the young Archduchess -Marie-Louise was lying stricken down with illness in the paternal -palace. The circumstance having been brought to Napoleon’s knowledge, -the direction of the projectiles was immediately changed and the -palace respected. Oh, the happy day! Who would have told Marie-Louise -then that in a few months’ time those same hands that caused -Vienna to shake would be weaving crowns for her brow, that at the -palace of the Tuileries she would reign over those Frenchmen who inspired -such fear.—Las Cases, <cite>Mémorial de Sainte-Hélène</cite>.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_45" href="#FNanchor_45" class="fnanchor">45</a> A couple of years often went by without his mother seeing him and -scarcely concerning herself about him. The Comte de La Garde Chambonas -sometimes out-Herods Herod as a courtier.—Transl.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_46" href="#FNanchor_46" class="fnanchor">46</a> Those are not exactly the bases of M. Rostand’s <cite>Aiglon</cite>. He supports -the contrary thesis. It would be well to strike an average with -the chapters of Prokesch-Osten on the Duc de Reichstadt and with the -book of Montbel on the same subject. The latter work is in turns inspired -by Metternich and Prokesch.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_47" href="#FNanchor_47" class="fnanchor">47</a> Sir Neil was one of the eye-witnesses of the heart-stirring scene at -Fontainebleau when Napoleon, straining the imperial eagles to his breast, -yielded to his own emotion and waved his hat, crying like the rest, ‘Long -live the Emperor!’ The <cite>Revue Britannique</cite> published in 1894 Sir Neil -Campbell’s narrative.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_48" href="#FNanchor_48" class="fnanchor">48</a> The words are historical. See <cite>Recollections of Méneval</cite>, vol. iii.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_49" href="#FNanchor_49" class="fnanchor">49</a> This is another statement of the author in direct contradiction to -absolutely authenticated facts. The scene described must have taken -place at the beginning of October. Napoleon abdicated at the latter end -of April, and during that interval she made a journey of more than two -months, visiting Aix, the Righi, Berne, in the latter of which places -she fell in with George <span class="smcap smaller">IV.</span>‘s wife. The greater part of that time was -spent in the society of Neipperg.—Transl.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_50" href="#FNanchor_50" class="fnanchor">50</a> Constantine Ypsilanti was a Greek, of a family originally hailing from -Trebizond, whose members performed the functions of dragoman at the -court of the Sultans. Alexander entered the Russian service. He subsequently -took part in the Greek insurrection and was compelled to take -refuge in Transylvania (1783–1828). His son (younger brother?), Demetrius, -was for a short time generalissimo of the insurgents of Morea.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_51" href="#FNanchor_51" class="fnanchor">51</a> Two separate works have lately appeared within a short time of each -other on Elisa Bacciochi, Princess of Lucca and Grand-Duchess of Tuscany. -One is by M. Paul Marmottan (Champion) and the other by M. -Rodocanachi (Flammarion).</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_52" href="#FNanchor_52" class="fnanchor">52</a> M. de Luchesini by his charming conversation enhanced that of the -King of Prussia. He knew the subjects on which the king liked to be -drawn out, and he also possessed the art of listening, an art never possessed -by a fool. M. de Pinto advised the king to make an ambassador -of M. de Luchesini, ‘because,’ as he expressed it, ‘Luchesini was a man -of wit.’ ‘That’s why I keep him with me,’ was the answer.—Author’s -Note.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_53" href="#FNanchor_53" class="fnanchor">53</a> The sentence in French runs: ‘Mon frère est coiffé de main de maitre. -It is impossible to give an English equivalent for this, except at the risk -of making it coarse and spoiling it into the bargain. The deceived -husband is said to be ‘coiffé’ by his wife’s lover.—Transl.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_54" href="#FNanchor_54" class="fnanchor">54</a> It was, in fact, the fashion at Versailles and at Saint-Cloud. The -most brilliant of all the lotteries was that offered by Monsieur (the -king’s brother), on the 9th August 1689, on the occasion of the reception -of the Venetian ambassador. The Court ladies had some most magnificent -presents.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_55" href="#FNanchor_55" class="fnanchor">55</a> In a memoir, written twenty-six years previously, <i>i.e.</i>, in 1788, the -Prince de Ligne had weighed with great sagacity the questions which -were from that moment inseparable from the fate of Poland. The -preamble describes in delightful and rare terms the Polish character, and -conveys a lofty idea of the author’s charm of expression in dealing with -his brilliant pictures. ‘Who,’ he exclaims, ‘can fail to love Poland, the -Poles, and, above all, Polish women, the mental qualities and courage of -the men, the grace and beauty of their fair companions?‘—Author’s note.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_56" href="#FNanchor_56" class="fnanchor">56</a> M. Edmond Taigny, Isabey’s nephew, published in the <cite>Revue -Européenne</cite> in 1858 some interesting particulars of the early life of the -great artist, from the latter’s manuscript notes. The period dealing with -Isabey’s sojourn at Vienna during the Congress contains several references -to the present work.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_57" href="#FNanchor_57" class="fnanchor">57</a> Hélène Massalska, whose interesting correspondence was published by -M. Lucien Perey under the title of <cite>Histoire d’une Grande Dame au XVIII<sup>e</sup> -Siècle</cite> (Lévy, 2 vols.).</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_58" href="#FNanchor_58" class="fnanchor">58</a> <cite>Les Mémoires de Casanova de Seingalt</cite>, edited by Henri Beyle, were -published at Leipsig in 1826, and in Paris in 1843 (5 vols.). Some years -ago, Flammarion brought out a new edition.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_59" href="#FNanchor_59" class="fnanchor">59</a> Son of the Marquise de Bombelles, <i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">née</i> Mackau, the friend of Madame -Élisabeth and of the marquis who was ambassador at Venice at the outbreak -of the Revolution. He had his children educated in Austria, and -took holy orders after the death of his wife. He became Bishop of -Amiens. The Bombelles have remained Austrian. The brother of the -Comte de Bombelles in question was the third husband of Marie-Louise.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_60" href="#FNanchor_60" class="fnanchor">60</a> Princess Charlotte, daughter of the Prince Regent, died a twelve-month -after her marriage, 1817. Princesse Louise d’Orléans, died in -1850. Leopold <span class="smcap smaller">I.</span>, King of the Belgians, died 1865.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_61" href="#FNanchor_61" class="fnanchor">61</a> The forty townships are an exaggeration, but the head of the -Esterhazy had twenty manorial lordships, sixty burghs with market -places and four hundred and fourteen villages.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_62" href="#FNanchor_62" class="fnanchor">62</a> The Prince Nicolas Esterhazy (1765–1833) was an enlightened patron -of art, and founded the picture-gallery of the Garten-Palace at Vienna. -It was he who offered Haydn the hospitality of his estate at Eisenstadt. -In 1809, he refused the crown of Hungary, offered to him by Napoleon.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_63" href="#FNanchor_63" class="fnanchor">63</a> Prince Paul-Antoine Esterhazy (1786–1866) was ambassador in -Dresden and in London.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_64" href="#FNanchor_64" class="fnanchor">64</a> She was the daughter of the Margrave of Baden.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_65" href="#FNanchor_65" class="fnanchor">65</a> It would be, but for the fact that, as the French editor, Comte Fleury, -remarks, there is scarcely a word of truth in it except the beheading of -the mother. Comte Fleury gets very angry with the author, dead -though he is, for foisting such a fantastic tale on the Prince de Ligne. -The child was handed over, six or seven weeks after her mother’s execution, -<i>i.e.</i>, on the 2nd Fructidor, Year <span class="smcap smaller">II.</span> (corresponding to the 19th -August 1794), to a relative, Isabel Leczinska, who took her with her to -Poland, where subsequently she married her cousin, the Comte Rzewuski. -Long before the publication of the books whence M. Fleury obtained his -information, the truth was known to most students of history.—Transl.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_66" href="#FNanchor_66" class="fnanchor">66</a> At the Congress, M. de Talleyrand perseveringly supported the -claims of the King of Naples against the partisans of Murat. The grateful -monarch, in 1817, offered him the dukedom of Dino. M. de Talleyrand -requested its transference to his nephew, the Comte Edmond de -Périgord, who since then has borne the title.—Author.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_67" href="#FNanchor_67" class="fnanchor">67</a> Two characters of Grétry’s opera <cite>Zémire et Azor</cite>. It is doubtful, -however, whether the sobriquet is applied in that sense here. The -French frequently bestow the name on dogs; and, in that case, the -meaning is plain enough.—Transl.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_68" href="#FNanchor_68" class="fnanchor">68</a> The son or the grandson of Nicholas Mauroyeny, Hospodar of -Wallachia, who was executed in 1790 at Constantinople.—Transl.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_69" href="#FNanchor_69" class="fnanchor">69</a> Her liaison with Neipperg had already begun, and she had ceased to -write to Elba. See Ernesto Masi, <cite>Li Due Moglie di Napoleone I.</cite> -Bologna, 1889.—Transl.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_70" href="#FNanchor_70" class="fnanchor">70</a> Burchard-Christopher, Comte de Münnich, 1683–1767, officer of -engineers under Peter <span class="smcap smaller">I.</span>, marshal under Anne, fell into disgrace under -Joan <span class="smcap smaller">VI.</span>, recovered favour under Catherine <span class="smcap smaller">II.</span></p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_71" href="#FNanchor_71" class="fnanchor">71</a> Hardemberg (Prince d’), 1750–1822, Prussian statesman and diplomatist. -He held the premier’s portfolio several times, but in 1804 he was replaced -for a short time by the Comte de Haugwitz. When he returned to power -he greatly contributed to sustain Friedrich-Wilhelm <span class="smcap smaller">III.</span>‘s courage. He -fell into disgrace in consequence of Napoleon’s objections to him after -Tilsitt, but he returned to power in 1810 for good. He was very relentless -with regard to France, and at the Congress of Vienna demanded her -dismemberment. He was also present at the Congresses of Aix-la-Chapelle, -Verona, and Laybach. He left important papers, a portion of -which were published in thirteen volumes in 1838 under the title of -<cite>Mémoires Tirés des Papiers d’un Homme d’Etat</cite>.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_72" href="#FNanchor_72" class="fnanchor">72</a> This latter statement is only true with regard to indoor <i>carrousels</i> -up to the beginning of the nineteenth century. There are records of -three open-air <i>carrousels</i> in Paris during the seventeenth century, at -which the spectators numbered thousands.—Transl.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_73" href="#FNanchor_73" class="fnanchor">73</a> The Comte Jean Axel de Fersen, the commander in France of his own -regiment, the ‘Royal Suédois,’ distinguished himself by his devotion to -the royal family, which he served as a guide during the fatal journey to -Varennes. Having escaped from the storm-tossed events of the Revolution, -he perished a victim to the agitation which prevailed in Stockholm -in 1800. The people, irritated against him, assailed him with stones -during the funeral procession of Prince Charles of Augustenburg, and -finally killed him amidst the most horrible tortures—Author’s Note. -</p> -<p> -The political and private correspondence of Fersen was published by -Colonel Klinkowström in Paris under the title of <cite>Le Comte de Fersen et -la Cour de France</cite> (2 vols.)—Firmin Didot. It is also interesting to consult -M. Paul Gavlot’s <cite>Un Ami de la Reine</cite>—Ollendorf. On the death of -the grand-marshal, read the introduction to the first-named work.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_74" href="#FNanchor_74" class="fnanchor">74</a> Gustavus <span class="smcap smaller">III.</span>, most friendly disposed towards monarchical France, -had declared himself violently opposed to the Revolution. He was about -to despatch troops to the French frontier when he was assassinated -during a masked ball at Stockholm on the evening of the 16th March -1792, as a result of a conspiracy among the nobles of his Court. See -Geffroy, <cite>Gustave III. et la Cour de France</cite> and the <cite>Memoirs</cite> of the Duc -Cesdars, who at the time of the death of King Gustavus was the envoy -of the princes at Stockholm.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_75" href="#FNanchor_75" class="fnanchor">75</a> The prediction was realised. Gustavus <span class="smcap smaller">IV.</span>, son of Gustavus <span class="smcap smaller">III.</span>, at -first reigned under the guardianship of his uncle, the Duc de Sudermanie -(Sudermanland). During his reign Sweden was despoiled of Finland by -Russia, and threatened with war by Denmark. The dissatisfaction of -his subjects led to a conspiracy against the king, which succeeded. -Gustavus was imprisoned, and then exiled for ever in 1809; the Duc de -Sudermanie was proclaimed king with the title of Charles <span class="smcap smaller">XIII.</span> Being -without issue, he at first adopted the Prince Christian Augustus of Holstein-Augustenburg. -After the sudden death of that young prince, -Charles <span class="smcap smaller">XIII.</span> hit upon the strange idea to appoint the French Marshal -Bernadotte. Under the title of Charles Jean, Bernadotte reigned from -1818 to 1844; the present king, Oscar <span class="smcap smaller">II.</span>, is his grandson. There are -no more male Wasas; Queen Caroline of Saxony is the granddaughter -of Gustavus <span class="smcap smaller">IV.</span></p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_76" href="#FNanchor_76" class="fnanchor">76</a> In consequence of the Treaty of Luneville in 1801, the Grand-Duchy -of Tuscany was taken away from Ferdinand <span class="smcap smaller">III.</span>, and, under the title of -the kingdom of Etruria, bestowed on the Spanish branch of Parma, whose -states were united to the French domains in Piedmont. King Louis -having died in 1803, his widow, Marie-Louise of Spain, took up the -reins of government for her son Louis <span class="smcap smaller">II.</span> In December 1807, Etruria -was given up in exchange for the newly-created kingdom of Lusitania -(Portugal); a few months later it constituted three French departments, -under the government of Elisa Napoleon Bonaparte, who had become -Grand-Duchess of Tuscany. See the excellent work of M. Marmottan, -<cite>Le Royaume d’Etrurie</cite>, Ollendorf, 1896; <cite>Elisa Napoléon en Italie</cite>, by -M. E. Rodocanachi, Flammarion, 1900; and the <cite>Carnet Historique et -Littéraire</cite>, 1900.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_77" href="#FNanchor_77" class="fnanchor">77</a> Some one had written a song about the Duchesse de Boufflers, subsequently -the wife of Marshal de Luxembourg. Suspecting the Comte -de Tressan to be the author, she said to him: ‘Do you know this song? -It is so well written that not only would I forgive the author, but I’d -even embrace him.’ ‘Well,’ said Tressan, tempted like the crow in the -fable, ‘I wrote it, madame,’ Thereupon she slapped his face.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_78" href="#FNanchor_78" class="fnanchor">78</a> Here is the song, composed by the old man a fortnight before his -death:— -</p> - -<div class="poem-container"> -<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> -<div class="center b1"><span class="smcap">1st Verse.</span><br /></div> - -<span class="i0">Après une longue guerre<br /></span> -<span class="i0">L’enfant ailé de Cythère<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Voulut, en donnant la paix,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Tenir à Vienne un Congrès.<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Il convoque en diligence<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Les dieux qu’on put retenir,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Et par une contredanse<br /></span> -<span class="i0">On vit le Congrès s’ouvrir.<br /></span> -</div></div> -</div> - -<p> -<i>Translation of 1st Verse.</i>—After a long war, the winged child of -Cytherea wished, in bestowing peace, to hold a Congress at Vienna. He -summoned in hot haste every god that could be had, and, with a Roger -de Coverley, the world beheld the Congress opened. -</p> - -<div class="poem-container"> -<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> -<div class="center b1"><span class="smcap">2nd Verse.</span><br /></div> - -<span class="i0">Au bureau de Terpsichore,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Dès le soir, jusqu’à l’aurore,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">On agitait des débats<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Sur l’importance d’un pas.<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Minerve dit en colère:<br /></span> -<span class="iq">‘Cessez, au moins un instant,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Si vous ne voulez pas faire<br /></span> -<span class="i0">A Vienne un Congrès dansant.’<br /></span> -</div></div> -</div> - -<p> -<i>Translation.</i>—At Terpsichore’s quarters, from night until dawn, debates -were regulated on the importance of a step. Minerva got angry and -cried, ‘At any rate, stop for a moment, unless you wish to hold a dancing -Congress at Vienna.’ -</p> - -<div class="poem-container"> -<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> -<div class="center b1"><span class="smcap">3rd Verse.</span><br /></div> - -<span class="i0">Vénus et la Jouissance,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Qui savaient bien que la danse<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Ajoutait a leurs appas,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Voulaient qu’on ne cessât pas.<br /></span> -<span class="iq">‘La Sagesse doit se taire,’<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Dit en riant le Plaisir,<br /></span> -<span class="iq">‘A Vienne l’unique affaire<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Est de traiter le plaisir.’<br /></span> -</div></div> -</div> - -<p> -<i>Translation.</i>—Venus and the Goddess of Indulgence, who knew very -well that dancing enhanced their charms, made up their minds that there -should be no cessation. ‘Wisdom must hold its tongue,’ said Pleasure, -laughing. ‘The sole business at Vienna is to devise about enjoyment.’ -</p> - -<div class="poem-container"> -<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> -<div class="center b1"><span class="smcap">4th Verse.</span><br /></div> -<span xml:lang="fr" lang="fr"> -<span class="i0">A ces mots on recommence,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Les masques entrent en danse;<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Mars, Hercule, et Jupiter<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Valsent un nouveau landler.<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Soudain Minerve en furie,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Dit dans son courroux: ‘Je crois<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Qu’à ce Congrès la Folie<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Présiderait mieux que moi.’<br /></span> -</span> -</div></div> -</div> - -<p> -<i>Translation.</i>—The words were the signal for recommencing. The masks -resume the dance; Mars, Hercules, and Jupiter whirl round in a new -landler. Suddenly Minerva got furious, and in her anger cried, ‘I -believe that at this Congress Folly would better preside than I.’ -</p> - -<div class="poem-container"> -<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> -<div class="center b1"><span class="smcap">5th Verse.</span><br /></div> -<span xml:lang="fr" lang="fr"> -<span class="iq">‘Taisez-vous, Mademoiselle,’<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Lui dit l’enfant infidèle;<br /></span> -<span class="iq">‘Laissez ces propos oiseux,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Et livrez vous à nos jeux:<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Assez longtemps sur la terre<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Votre sœur nous fit gémir,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Laissez-nous après la guerre<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Respirer pour le plaisir.’<br /></span> -</span> -</div></div> -</div> - -<p> -<i>Translation.</i>—‘Hold your tongue. Mademoiselle,’ said the recalcitrant -child; ‘stop your useless chatter, and join us in our games. Your sister -has left us long enough to moan on this earth. And now after the war, -let us get back our breath for enjoyment.’ -</p> - -<div class="poem-container"> -<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> -<div class="center b1"><span class="smcap">6th Verse.</span><br /></div> -<span xml:lang="fr" lang="fr"> -<span class="i0">A l’instant à la barrière,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Pour entrer dans la carrière,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">S’offrent trente chevaliers<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Le front couvert de lauriers.<br /></span> -<span class="i0">On lisait sur leurs bannières.<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Ces mots: <i>Loyal et fidel</i>.<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Ce sont les chargés d’affaires<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Du Congrès au Carrousel.<br /></span> -</span> -</div></div> -</div> - -<p> -<i>Translation.</i>—In a moment at the barrier, thirty knights present themselves, -their brows encircled by wreaths, and eager to enter upon the -career. (This is imitated from a strophe of the ‘Marseillaise.’) Their -banners displayed the words: ‘Loyal and staunch.’ They are the chargés -d’affaires of the Congress at the <i>carrousel</i>. -</p> - -<div class="poem-container"> -<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> -<div class="center b1"><span class="smcap">7th Verse.</span><br /></div> -<span xml:lang="fr" lang="fr"> -<span class="i0">Enfin de tout on se lasse:<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Les bals, les jeux et la chasse<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Avaient été discutés<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Et résumés en traités.<br /></span> -<span class="iq">‘Que ferons-nous d’avantage?’<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Dit l’Amour. ‘Donnons la paix,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Et cessons ce badinage<br /></span> -<span class="i0">En terminant le Congrès.’<br /></span> -</span> -</div></div> -</div> - -<p> -<i>Translation.</i>—People get tired of everything. The balls, the games, -and the chase had been discussed and embodied in treaties. ‘What else -remains to be done?’ said Cupid. ‘Let us proclaim peace and cease this -trifling by winding up the Congress.’ -</p> - -<p> -The reader will kindly excuse this bald translation. I have simply -aimed at giving a literal one.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_79" href="#FNanchor_79" class="fnanchor">79</a> To obtain the Order of Maria-Theresa, one of the first among the -military orders of Europe, the recipient must, by his own initiative, -have gained a battle or carried to a successful issue some state affair -without previous instruction from his superiors. After that, his claim is -submitted to the chapter of the order, which discusses it, grants the claim -after discussion, or dismisses it.—Author.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_80" href="#FNanchor_80" class="fnanchor">80</a> His fortune yielded an income of 17,000,000 francs. See <i>infra</i> the -particulars of Razumowski, the favourite of Elizabeth, and the father of -the ambassador.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_81" href="#FNanchor_81" class="fnanchor">81</a> The official despatch of the ambassadors of the French King at the -Congress of Vienna reports the incident as follows:— -</p> -<p> -<i>The Emperor of Russia.</i>—‘I have pledged my word and I shall keep it. -I promised Saxony to the King of Prussia the moment we joined each -other.’ -</p> -<p> -<i>Talleyrand.</i>—‘Your Majesty has promised to the King of Prussia -between nine and ten millions of souls. Your Majesty can give them -without destroying Saxony.’ -</p> -<p> -<i>The Emperor.</i>—‘The King of Saxony is a traitor.’ -</p> -<p> -<i>Talleyrand.</i>—‘Sire, the qualification of traitor can never be applied to -a king; and it is important that there shall never be any necessity for -applying it.’ -</p> -<p> -After a few moments of silence the czar resumed: -</p> -<p> -‘The King of Prussia shall be King of Prussia and of Saxony, just as I -am Emperor of Russia and King of Poland.’—<cite>Mémoires de Talleyrand</cite>, -vol. ii. -</p> -<p> -Finally, the interests of Saxony and Prussia were settled, ‘not to the -satisfaction of the one and the other, but by agreement between them,’ -<i>i.e.</i> Prussia acquired the two Lusatias, part of Thuringia, and Torgau and -Wittemberg (Treaty of 18th May 1815).</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_82" href="#FNanchor_82" class="fnanchor">82</a> I have suppressed the particulars of the story, which I considered -unfit for publication.—Transl.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_83" href="#FNanchor_83" class="fnanchor">83</a> La Garde exaggerates. Napoleon merely expressed a desire, and -overtures were eventually made at Erfurth. The veto of the dowager-empress -nipped the affair in the bud. Later on, there was an attempt -to reopen the question, but the Emperor of Austria had almost immediately -replied to Talleyrand’s <i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">pourparlers</i>, and arrangements were -concluded at the moment when Russia seemed inclined to yield. See on -those long hesitations the first volume of M. Albert Vandal’s <cite>Napoléon -et Alexandre</cite>, vol. <span class="smcap smaller">I.</span> ch. xii.—French Editor. -</p> -<p> -M. Vandal is as misleading as La Garde, and for the truth of that -episode no French author of any kind should be consulted, and least of -all those who have written on Russia during the last twenty years. The -German works are much more trustworthy, for the refusal of Napoleon’s -hand was inspired by Germany.—Transl.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_84" href="#FNanchor_84" class="fnanchor">84</a> She became, in fact, the fourth wife of Emperor Francis.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_85" href="#FNanchor_85" class="fnanchor">85</a> Alexis Orloff, born in 1786, grand-nephew of the famous favourite of -Catherine <span class="smcap smaller">II.</span>, had a magnificent military record. He had specially distinguished -himself during the campaign in Russia, having been wounded -in seven different places at Borodino, and during the campaign in France. -After that he performed many remarkable feats of courage in the Turkish -war, fulfilled several missions, and, in 1830, negotiated the marriage of -Alexander <span class="smcap smaller">II.</span> with a princess of the House of Hesse. He died in 1861.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_86" href="#FNanchor_86" class="fnanchor">86</a> Transformed into a Prince de Monte-Nuovo.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_87" href="#FNanchor_87" class="fnanchor">87</a> This must be the son of Zawadouski, who was the favourite in 1776 -and 1777.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_88" href="#FNanchor_88" class="fnanchor">88</a> The word ‘heads’ was invariably used in all the stipulation of -exchanges, divisions of territory, and dismemberment of states.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_89" href="#FNanchor_89" class="fnanchor">89</a> The famous speculator.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_90" href="#FNanchor_90" class="fnanchor">90</a> The Comte de Montrond, the inseparable companion of Talleyrand.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_91" href="#FNanchor_91" class="fnanchor">91</a> The same Malfati who left some notes on the death and post-mortem -examination of the Duc de Reichstadt, which were published in <cite>Le Carnet -Historique</cite> during 1900.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_92" href="#FNanchor_92" class="fnanchor">92</a> Here is the epitaph in question, which it is practically impossible to -translate into English that would sound like <span class="locked">sense:—</span></p> - -<div class="poem-container"> -<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> -<span class="iq">‘Ci-gît le Prince de Ligne,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Il est tout de son long couché,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Jadis il a beaucoup péché,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Mais ce n’était pas a la ligne.’<br /></span> -</div></div> -</div> - -<p class="in0"> -‘Pêcher à la ligne’ means angling with a rod or with a line. The prince’s -name, literally translated, means ‘the prince of line’; a change of accent -on the verb would make it mean ‘transgressing.’</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_93" href="#FNanchor_93" class="fnanchor">93</a> ‘Camarde,’ death. The word has passed into thieves’ slang now, but -in former centuries it was used by poets: Scarron used it. It derives its -origin from <i>camus</i>, flat, to denote the flat nose of a skeleton.—Transl.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_94" href="#FNanchor_94" class="fnanchor">94</a> The words are historical. ‘Camarde’ is feminine.—Transl.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_95" href="#FNanchor_95" class="fnanchor">95</a> The Prince de Ligne left three daughters, the Princesse de Clary, -the Comtesse Palfi, and the Baronne Spiegel, all of whom founded -families in Austria. His eldest son, Charles, who married the beautiful -Hélène Massalska, whose <cite>Mémoires</cite> have been published by M. Lucien -Percy, was killed by a cannon-ball at the passage of la Croix-aux-Bois in -the Argonne in September 1792. A daughter, Sidonie, was born of that -marriage. His second son, Louis, who also preceded his father to the -grave, had by his wife, Louise de Duros, Eugène-François-Lamoral-Charles, -Prince de Ligne, d’Amblise, d’Epinay, who was Belgian ambassador-in-extraordinary -in England and in France. By his first wife, the daughter -of the Marquis de Conflans, the Prince de Ligne had a son, whence sprang -the actual Prince de Ligne and the Prince Ernest de Ligne. By his -second wife, the daughter of the Marquis de Trazegnies, he had a -daughter, who became Duchesse de Beaufort. By his third wife, a -Princesse Lubomirska, he had the Princes Charles and Édouard de Ligne -and the Duchesse de Doudeauville.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_96" href="#FNanchor_96" class="fnanchor">96</a> ‘With him went the last flower of the age of chivalry,’ wrote Franz -Gaeffer in his <cite>Memoirs</cite>—Kleinen Wiener.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_97" href="#FNanchor_97" class="fnanchor">97</a> Sidney Smith’s conversation did not exactly shine by its conciseness. -As may be imagined, the defence of Acre was one of its ever-recurring -topics. The Prince de Ligne, who had been compelled to listen to -Smith’s prolix recital more than once, called him ‘Long Acre,’ which the -author defines as one of the longest streets of London.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_98" href="#FNanchor_98" class="fnanchor">98</a> The Comte de Saint Germain pretended to be two thousand years old, -and many people believed him.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_99" href="#FNanchor_99" class="fnanchor">99</a> Louis <span class="smcap smaller">I.</span> (1825–1848), when he abdicated in favour of his son Maximilian -<span class="smcap smaller">II.</span> King Louis, who was an enlightened patron of art, frequently -came to Paris. He died in 1868.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn3"><a id="Footnote_100" href="#FNanchor_100" class="fnanchor">100</a> Finally, the Grand Duchy of Warsaw became the Kingdom of Poland, -under the protection of Emperor Alexander, with the Grand-Duke Constantine -as its Viceroy.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn3"><a id="Footnote_101" href="#FNanchor_101" class="fnanchor">101</a> The memoirs of the time often mention this Princess Lubomirska, -whose title was Princesse-Maréchale. Elizabeth Czartoryska, Princesse -Lubomirska, was a cousin of King Stanislas-Augustus, who often mentions -her in his correspondence, and constantly deplores her restlessness. -From recent publications, it would appear that, though endowed with -many superior qualities, she was also profoundly disagreeable. She -loved neither her children nor her country, and from sheer <i>ennui</i> she -was always ‘on the move.’ She disliked everything save the traditions -of the French Court during Louis <span class="smcap smaller">XIV.</span>‘s reign, which traditions she -knew better even than the events which had so profoundly disturbed -her country. She detested every new idea, and her hatred of Napoleon -was intense. To the <i>émigrés</i> she was most charitable.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn3"><a id="Footnote_102" href="#FNanchor_102" class="fnanchor">102</a> When the Duc de Dalberg heard what Pozzo di Borgo had said, he -shook his head. ‘M. Pozzo is not a prophet. In a short time Napoleon -will be in Paris,’ he remarked.—Author.</p></div> -</div></div> - -<div class="chapter"><div class="index"> -<h2 class="nobreak"><a id="INDEX"></a>INDEX</h2> - -<p><i>Throughout this translation I have left many of the nobiliary titles and -names of the Continental aristocracy in their French garb; those of the -English personages mentioned I have reduced to their original expression.</i></p> - -<ul class="index"> -<li class="ifrst"><span class="smcap">Adhémar, Comte d’</span>, <a href="#Page_130">130</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Albert of Austria, Archduke, <a href="#Page_166">166</a>, <a href="#Page_403">403</a>, <a href="#Page_404">404</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Alembert, D’, <a href="#Page_130">130</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Alexander <span class="smcap smaller">I.</span>, Emperor of Russia, <a href="#Page_4">4</a>, <a href="#Page_6">6</a>, <a href="#Page_17">17–20</a>, <a href="#Page_25">25</a>, <a href="#Page_31">31–37</a>, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, <a href="#Page_54">54</a>, <a href="#Page_57">57</a>, <a href="#Page_61">61–65</a>, <a href="#Page_90">90</a>, <a href="#Page_92">92</a>, <a href="#Page_95">95</a>, <a href="#Page_96">96–101</a>, <a href="#Page_111">111</a>, <a href="#Page_117">117</a>, <a href="#Page_119">119</a>, <a href="#Page_122">122</a>, <a href="#Page_141">141</a>, <a href="#Page_142">142</a>, <a href="#Page_144">144</a>, <a href="#Page_149">149</a>, <a href="#Page_153">153</a>, <a href="#Page_165">165</a>, <a href="#Page_197">197</a>, <a href="#Page_203">203</a>, <a href="#Page_204">204</a>, <a href="#Page_210">210–217</a>, <a href="#Page_225">225</a>, <a href="#Page_230">230</a>, <a href="#Page_255">255</a>, <a href="#Page_257">257</a>, <a href="#Page_266">266</a>, <a href="#Page_275">275</a>, <a href="#Page_277">277</a>, <a href="#Page_310">310</a>, <a href="#Page_313">313</a>, <a href="#Page_314">314</a>, <a href="#Page_323">323</a>, <a href="#Page_326">326</a>, <a href="#Page_342">342</a>, <a href="#Page_344">344</a>, <a href="#Page_346">346–349</a>, <a href="#Page_372">372</a>, <a href="#Page_374">374</a>, <a href="#Page_381">381</a>, <a href="#Page_382">382</a>, <a href="#Page_389">389</a>, <a href="#Page_402">402–407</a>, <a href="#Page_414">414</a>, <a href="#Page_417">417</a>, <a href="#Page_418">418</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— <span class="smcap smaller">II.</span>, Emperor of Russia, <a href="#Page_214">214</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Alfieri, Comte, <a href="#Page_185">185</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Ankarstroem, <a href="#Page_176">176</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Anne Ivanowna, Empress of Russia, <a href="#Page_170">170</a>, <a href="#Page_261">261</a>, <a href="#Page_322">322</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Apponyi, Comtesse Thérèse d’, <a href="#Page_39">39</a>, <a href="#Page_138">138</a>, <a href="#Page_319">319</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Aremberg, Duc Louis d’, <a href="#Page_73">73</a>, <a href="#Page_359">359</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— Prince d’, <a href="#Page_359">359</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Ariosto, <a href="#Page_126">126</a>, <a href="#Page_137">137</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Arnstein, Baron d’, <a href="#Page_209">209</a>, <a href="#Page_293">293</a>, <a href="#Page_360">360</a>, <a href="#Page_386">386</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— Baronne Fanny d’, <a href="#Page_210">210</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Aubusson de la Feuillade, d’, ambassador, <a href="#Page_186">186</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Auesberg, Princesse d’, <a href="#Page_318">318</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Auguste of Prussia, Prince, <a href="#Page_4">4</a>, <a href="#Page_319">319</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Augustembourg, Princesse d’, <a href="#Page_303">303</a>, <a href="#Page_304">304</a>.</li> - -<li class="ifrst">Bacon, Francis, <a href="#Page_126">126</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Bagration, Prince de, Field-Marshal, <a href="#Page_94">94</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— Princesse de, <a href="#Page_39">39</a>, <a href="#Page_94">94</a>, <a href="#Page_101">101</a>, <a href="#Page_213">213</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Barclay, John, <a href="#Page_207">207</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Barclay de Tolly, Field-Marshal, <a href="#Page_343">343</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Barry, Comtesse du, <a href="#Page_130">130</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Batthyany, Comte, <a href="#Page_139">139</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Batthyany, Comtesse, <a href="#Page_149">149</a>, <a href="#Page_163">163</a>, <a href="#Page_319">319</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Béatrix d’Este, Arch-duchess, <a href="#Page_39">39</a>, <a href="#Page_166">166</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Beaufort, Duchesse de, <a href="#Page_252">252</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Beauharnais, Prince Eugène de, <a href="#Page_17">17</a>, <a href="#Page_33">33</a>, <a href="#Page_42">42</a>, <a href="#Page_73">73</a>, <a href="#Page_90">90</a>, <a href="#Page_122">122</a>, <a href="#Page_144">144</a>, <a href="#Page_152">152</a>, <a href="#Page_166">166</a>, <a href="#Page_208">208</a>, <a href="#Page_255">255</a>, <a href="#Page_276">276</a>, <a href="#Page_319">319</a>, <a href="#Page_323">323</a>, <a href="#Page_326">326</a>, <a href="#Page_329">329</a>, <a href="#Page_330">330</a>, <a href="#Page_362">362</a>, <a href="#Page_403">403</a>, <a href="#Page_404">404</a>, <a href="#Page_413">413</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Beaumarchais, Baron de, <a href="#Page_51">51</a>, <a href="#Page_361">361</a>, <a href="#Page_383">383</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Bernsdorff, Comte de, <a href="#Page_172">172</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— Comtesse de, <a href="#Page_39">39</a>, <a href="#Page_94">94</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Berry, Duc de, <a href="#Page_61">61</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Berthier, Marshal, <a href="#Page_238">238</a>, <a href="#Page_239">239</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Besnadiére, de la, <a href="#Page_60">60</a>, <a href="#Page_61">61</a>, <a href="#Page_64">64</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Beyle, Henri, <a href="#Page_136">136</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Bezenval, Baron de, <a href="#Page_130">130</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Bièvre, Marquis de, <a href="#Page_245">245</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Bigottini, <a href="#Page_156">156</a>, <a href="#Page_361">361</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Blanchard, aeronaut, <a href="#Page_85">85</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Boigne de Faye, <a href="#Page_55">55</a>, <a href="#Page_375">375</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Bombelles, Comte de, <a href="#Page_138">138</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— Marquis and Marquise de, <a href="#Page_138">138</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Bonaparte, Princesse, Baciocchi, Elisa, <a href="#Page_92">92</a>, <a href="#Page_184">184</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— Princesse Borghèse, Pauline, <a href="#Page_48">48</a>, <a href="#Page_49">49</a>, <a href="#Page_52">52</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— King of Westphalia, Jérôme, <a href="#Page_17">17</a>, <a href="#Page_278">278</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Bondy de, prefect, <a href="#Page_46">46</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Bonnay, Marquis de, <a href="#Page_247">247</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Bonneval, Comte de, <a href="#Page_366">366</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Bossuet, <a href="#Page_398">398</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Boufflers, Duchesse de, <a href="#Page_194">194</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Bouturlin, Comtesse, <a href="#Page_170">170</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Brignole, Marquis de, <a href="#Page_225">225</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Brozin, Colonel, <a href="#Page_350">350</a>, <a href="#Page_405">405</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Bruce, Mme., <a href="#Page_102">102</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Bruix, Admiral, <a href="#Page_238">238</a>, <a href="#Page_239">239</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Bühren, Duc le Courlande, <a href="#Page_261">261</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Burdett, Sir Francis, <a href="#Page_44">44</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Burke, Edmund, <a href="#Page_118">118</a>.</li> - -<li class="ifrst">Cagliostro, Comte de, <a href="#Page_288">288</a>.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_422">422</a></span></li> - -<li class="indx">Campochiaro, Duc de, <a href="#Page_37">37</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Canning, George, <a href="#Page_66">66</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Canova, <a href="#Page_216">216</a>, <a href="#Page_257">257</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Capo d’Istria, Comte, <a href="#Page_4">4</a>, <a href="#Page_36">36</a>, <a href="#Page_102">102</a>, <a href="#Page_213">213</a>, <a href="#Page_316">316</a>, <a href="#Page_327">327</a>, <a href="#Page_408">408</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Cariati, Prince, <a href="#Page_235">235</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Caroline of Bavaria, Queen, <a href="#Page_109">109</a>, <a href="#Page_166">166</a>, <a href="#Page_179">179</a>, <a href="#Page_208">208</a>, <a href="#Page_310">310</a>, <a href="#Page_356">356</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— of Brunswick, Queen of England, <a href="#Page_66">66</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— of Saxony, Queen, <a href="#Page_181">181</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— Mathilde, Queen of Denmark, <a href="#Page_4">4</a>, <a href="#Page_7">7</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Carpani, poet, <a href="#Page_42">42</a>, <a href="#Page_201">201</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Casanova, <a href="#Page_126">126</a>, <a href="#Page_135">135</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Castlereagh, Lady, <a href="#Page_94">94</a>, <a href="#Page_164">164</a>, <a href="#Page_206">206</a>, <a href="#Page_281">281</a>, <a href="#Page_319">319</a>, <a href="#Page_381">381</a>, <a href="#Page_382">382</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— Lord, <a href="#Page_5">5</a>, <a href="#Page_8">8</a>, <a href="#Page_31">31</a>, <a href="#Page_65">65</a>, <a href="#Page_91">91</a>, <a href="#Page_150">150</a>, <a href="#Page_164">164</a>, <a href="#Page_172">172</a>, <a href="#Page_203">203</a>, <a href="#Page_208">208</a>, <a href="#Page_281">281</a>, <a href="#Page_283">283</a>, <a href="#Page_313">313</a>, <a href="#Page_327">327</a>, <a href="#Page_350">350</a>, <a href="#Page_357">357</a>, <a href="#Page_381">381</a>, <a href="#Page_382">382</a>, <a href="#Page_394">394</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Catherine <span class="smcap smaller">I.</span>, Empress of Russia, <a href="#Page_258">258</a>, <a href="#Page_352">352</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— <span class="smcap smaller">II.</span>, Empress of Russia, <a href="#Page_3">3</a>, <a href="#Page_12">12</a>, <a href="#Page_60">60</a>, <a href="#Page_72">72</a>, <a href="#Page_78">78</a>, <a href="#Page_100">100</a>, <a href="#Page_103">103</a>, <a href="#Page_131">131</a>, <a href="#Page_132">132</a>, <a href="#Page_155">155</a>, <a href="#Page_169">169</a>, <a href="#Page_214">214</a>, <a href="#Page_217">217</a>, <a href="#Page_222">222</a>, <a href="#Page_246">246</a>, <a href="#Page_255">255</a>, <a href="#Page_259">259</a>, <a href="#Page_283">283</a>, <a href="#Page_284">284</a>, <a href="#Page_318">318</a>, <a href="#Page_353">353</a>, <a href="#Page_367">367</a>, <a href="#Page_370">370</a>, <a href="#Page_372">372</a>, <a href="#Page_383">383</a>, <a href="#Page_385">385</a>, <a href="#Page_386">386</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— d’Oldenbourg, Queen of Würtemberg, <a href="#Page_17">17</a>, <a href="#Page_39">39</a>, <a href="#Page_90">90</a>, <a href="#Page_154">154</a>, <a href="#Page_166">166</a>, <a href="#Page_171">171</a>, <a href="#Page_197">197</a>, <a href="#Page_211">211–217</a>, <a href="#Page_279">279</a>, <a href="#Page_318">318</a>, <a href="#Page_326">326</a>, <a href="#Page_349">349</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— of Würtemberg, Queen of Westphalia, <a href="#Page_17">17</a>, <a href="#Page_279">279</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Cellini, Benvenuto, <a href="#Page_123">123</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Cesdars, Duc, <a href="#Page_176">176</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Chalanton, the Abbé, <a href="#Page_54">54</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Chambonas, Marquis de, <a href="#Page_302">302–306</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Charles, Archduke, <a href="#Page_70">70</a>, <a href="#Page_82">82</a>, <a href="#Page_90">90</a>, <a href="#Page_166">166</a>, <a href="#Page_198">198</a>, <a href="#Page_319">319</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Charles <span class="smcap smaller">II.</span>, Duc des Deux-Ponts, <a href="#Page_72">72</a>, <a href="#Page_292">292</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— <span class="smcap smaller">XII.</span>, King of Sweden, <a href="#Page_180">180</a>, <a href="#Page_271">271</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— <span class="smcap smaller">XIII.</span>, King of Sweden, <a href="#Page_181">181</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— <span class="smcap smaller">XIV.</span>, Bernadotte, King of Sweden, <a href="#Page_64">64</a>, <a href="#Page_181">181</a>, <a href="#Page_272">272</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— d’Augustenbourg, Prince, <a href="#Page_176">176</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— of Bavaria, Prince, <a href="#Page_18">18</a>, <a href="#Page_296">296</a>, <a href="#Page_300">300</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— of Lorraine, Prince, <a href="#Page_199">199</a>, <a href="#Page_255">255</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Charles-Gustavus, King of Sweden, <a href="#Page_130">130</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— Louis-Frédéric, Grand-Duke of Baden, <a href="#Page_289">289</a>, <a href="#Page_318">318</a>, <a href="#Page_356">356</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Charles <span class="smcap smaller">V.</span>, <a href="#Page_106">106</a>, <a href="#Page_162">162</a>, <a href="#Page_254">254</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Charles-Théodore, Elector of Bavaria, <a href="#Page_72">72</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Charlotte of Bavaria, Empress of Austria, <a href="#Page_212">212</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— of Saxe-Cobourg, Princess, <a href="#Page_139">139</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Chodkïewïcz, Comte, <a href="#Page_148">148</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Christian <span class="smcap smaller">VII.</span>, King of Denmark, <a href="#Page_34">34</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— d’Augustenbourg, Prince, <a href="#Page_181">181</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Christiana of Sweden, Queen, <a href="#Page_112">112</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Cisternes, R. de, <a href="#Page_61">61</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Clancarty, Lord, <a href="#Page_5">5</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Clary, Comte de, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— Princesse, <a href="#Page_14">14</a>, <a href="#Page_252">252</a>, <a href="#Page_253">253</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Cobentzel, Comte de, <a href="#Page_155">155</a>, <a href="#Page_246">246</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Cohari, Comtesse de, <a href="#Page_39">39</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Coigny, Marquise de, <a href="#Page_12">12</a>, <a href="#Page_13">13</a>, <a href="#Page_299">299</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Colbert, <a href="#Page_151">151</a>, <a href="#Page_174">174</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Colloredo, Princesse de, <a href="#Page_94">94</a>, <a href="#Page_163">163</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Conflans, Marquis de, <a href="#Page_252">252</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Constantin-Paulowitz, Grand-Duke, <a href="#Page_4">4</a>, <a href="#Page_25">25</a>, <a href="#Page_27">27</a>, <a href="#Page_99">99</a>, <a href="#Page_102">102</a>, <a href="#Page_203">203</a>, <a href="#Page_313">313</a>, <a href="#Page_314">314</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Cornwallis, General, <a href="#Page_288">288</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Corregio, <a href="#Page_215">215</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Coupigny, <a href="#Page_144">144</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Czartoryski, Prince, <a href="#Page_64">64</a>, <a href="#Page_144">144</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— Prince Adam, <a href="#Page_316">316</a>, <a href="#Page_344">344</a>, <a href="#Page_345">345</a>, <a href="#Page_379">379</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Czerwertinska, Mme. Narischkine, Princesse, <a href="#Page_97">97</a>, <a href="#Page_98">98</a>, <a href="#Page_102">102</a>, <a href="#Page_350">350</a>, <a href="#Page_372">372</a>, <a href="#Page_402">402</a>.</li> - -<li class="ifrst">Dalberg, Duc de, <a href="#Page_5">5</a>, <a href="#Page_36">36</a>, <a href="#Page_41">41</a>, <a href="#Page_55">55</a>, <a href="#Page_56">56</a>, <a href="#Page_59">59</a>, <a href="#Page_60">60</a>, <a href="#Page_172">172</a>, <a href="#Page_327">327</a>, <a href="#Page_411">411</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— Duchesse de, <a href="#Page_59">59</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Danilewski, <a href="#Page_201">201</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Dante, <a href="#Page_64">64</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Daschkoff, Princesse, <a href="#Page_262">262</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Daudet, Ernest, <a href="#Page_61">61</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Davencourt, <a href="#Page_237">237</a>, <a href="#Page_239">239</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Davidoff, Mme., <a href="#Page_66">66</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Davoust, Marshal, <a href="#Page_23">23</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Decazes, Duc, <a href="#Page_61">61</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Deffand, Mme. du, <a href="#Page_130">130</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Delille, <a href="#Page_221">221</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Dietrichstein, Prince Maurice, <a href="#Page_360">360</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Dolgorouki, Prince, <a href="#Page_213">213</a>, <a href="#Page_351">351</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— Princesse, <a href="#Page_351">351</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Dorothée Wilhelmine of Baden, Queen of Sweden, <a href="#Page_175">175–183</a>, <a href="#Page_184">184</a>, <a href="#Page_187">187</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Doudeauville, Duchesse de, <a href="#Page_252">252</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Dubois (poet), <a href="#Page_48">48–53</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Duchesne, General, <a href="#Page_189">189</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Dupaty, J. B., <a href="#Page_9">9</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Duport, dancer, <a href="#Page_233">233</a>.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_423">423</a></span></li> - -<li class="indx">Dupré, architect, <a href="#Page_177">177</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Dürer, Albert, <a href="#Page_404">404</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Durkeim, Comtesse Louise de, <a href="#Page_149">149</a>, <a href="#Page_163">163</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Duroc, General, <a href="#Page_44">44</a>.</li> - -<li class="ifrst">Edward <span class="smcap smaller">III.</span>, King of England, <a href="#Page_164">164</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Elizabeth, Empress of Russia, <a href="#Page_4">4</a>, <a href="#Page_7">7</a>, <a href="#Page_97">97</a>, <a href="#Page_98">98</a>, <a href="#Page_100">100</a>, <a href="#Page_109">109</a>, <a href="#Page_142">142</a>, <a href="#Page_171">171</a>, <a href="#Page_179">179</a>, <a href="#Page_202">202</a>, <a href="#Page_214">214</a>, <a href="#Page_251">251</a>, <a href="#Page_257">257</a>, <a href="#Page_310">310</a>, <a href="#Page_318">318</a>, <a href="#Page_326">326</a>, <a href="#Page_349">349</a>, <a href="#Page_353">353</a>, <a href="#Page_373">373</a>, <a href="#Page_383">383</a>, <a href="#Page_402">402</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— Madame, <a href="#Page_138">138</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— Queen of England, <a href="#Page_207">207</a>, <a href="#Page_342">342</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Elliot, Lord, <a href="#Page_63">63</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Enghien, Duc d’, <a href="#Page_270">270</a>, <a href="#Page_271">271</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Exerenza, Duchesse d’, <a href="#Page_41">41</a>, <a href="#Page_158">158</a>, <a href="#Page_159">159</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Eskeles, banker, <a href="#Page_209">209</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Esterhazy, Prince Nicolas, <a href="#Page_141">141</a>, <a href="#Page_160">160</a>, <a href="#Page_163">163</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— Prince Paul, <a href="#Page_42">42</a>, <a href="#Page_141">141</a>, <a href="#Page_159">159</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— Prince Vincent, <a href="#Page_166">166</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— Princesse Marie, <a href="#Page_94">94</a>, <a href="#Page_102">102</a>, <a href="#Page_139">139</a>, <a href="#Page_140">140</a>, <a href="#Page_141">141</a>, <a href="#Page_148">148</a>, <a href="#Page_163">163</a>, <a href="#Page_400">400</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— Princesse Paul, <a href="#Page_39">39</a>, <a href="#Page_120">120</a>, <a href="#Page_164">164</a>, <a href="#Page_165">165</a>, <a href="#Page_207">207</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— Princesse Thérèse, <a href="#Page_232">232</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Estrées, Gabrielle d’, <a href="#Page_415">415</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Etienne, Charles-Guillaume, <a href="#Page_232">232</a>, <a href="#Page_320">320</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Eugène de Savoie, Prince, <a href="#Page_12">12</a>.</li> - -<li class="ifrst">Falk, Baron de, <a href="#Page_208">208</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Fauche-Borel, <a href="#Page_300">300</a>, <a href="#Page_420">420</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Ferdinand <span class="smcap smaller">I.</span>, King of the Two Sicilies, <a href="#Page_30">30</a>, <a href="#Page_150">150</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— <span class="smcap smaller">II.</span>, Emperor of Germany, <a href="#Page_198">198</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— <span class="smcap smaller">III.</span>, Grand-Duke of Tuscany, <a href="#Page_166">166</a>, <a href="#Page_184">184</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— of Prussia, Prince, <a href="#Page_395">395</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Fersen, Comte Jean-Axel de, <a href="#Page_175">175</a>, <a href="#Page_177">177</a>, <a href="#Page_178">178</a>, <a href="#Page_183">183</a>, <a href="#Page_302">302</a>, <a href="#Page_304">304</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Foneron, banker, <a href="#Page_285">285</a>, <a href="#Page_287">287</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Fontenay, de, <a href="#Page_227">227</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Fouché, Duc d’Otrante, <a href="#Page_49">49–53</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Fox, Charles, <a href="#Page_65">65</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Francis <span class="smcap smaller">I.</span>, <a href="#Page_167">167</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— <span class="smcap smaller">I.</span>, Emperor of Austria, <a href="#Page_6">6</a>, <a href="#Page_28">28–34</a>, <a href="#Page_73">73</a>, <a href="#Page_76">76</a>, <a href="#Page_79">79</a>, <a href="#Page_88">88</a>, <a href="#Page_89">89</a>, <a href="#Page_90">90</a>, <a href="#Page_105">105</a>, <a href="#Page_106">106</a>, <a href="#Page_109">109</a>, <a href="#Page_112">112</a>, <a href="#Page_131">131</a>, <a href="#Page_139">139</a>, <a href="#Page_142">142</a>, <a href="#Page_165">165</a>, <a href="#Page_171">171</a>, <a href="#Page_202">202</a>, <a href="#Page_211">211</a>, <a href="#Page_212">212</a>, <a href="#Page_256">256</a>, <a href="#Page_267">267</a>, <a href="#Page_278">278</a>, <a href="#Page_309">309–312</a>, <a href="#Page_318">318</a>, <a href="#Page_326">326</a>, <a href="#Page_353">353</a>, <a href="#Page_356">356</a>, <a href="#Page_381">381</a>, <a href="#Page_382">382</a>, <a href="#Page_415">415</a>, <a href="#Page_417">417</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Frederic <span class="smcap smaller">I.</span>, King of Würtemberg, <a href="#Page_5">5</a>, <a href="#Page_17">17</a>, <a href="#Page_31">31</a>, <a href="#Page_83">83</a>, <a href="#Page_109">109</a>, <a href="#Page_166">166</a>, <a href="#Page_171">171</a>, <a href="#Page_212">212</a>, <a href="#Page_278">278</a>, <a href="#Page_279">279</a>, <a href="#Page_280">280</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— <span class="smcap smaller">II.</span>, King of Prussia, <a href="#Page_33">33</a>, <a href="#Page_100">100</a>, <a href="#Page_131">131</a>, <a href="#Page_132">132</a>, <a href="#Page_155">155</a>, <a href="#Page_194">194</a>, <a href="#Page_199">199</a>, <a href="#Page_240">240</a>, <a href="#Page_347">347</a>, <a href="#Page_404">404</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— <span class="smcap smaller">III.</span>, Emperor of Germany, <a href="#Page_348">348</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— <span class="smcap smaller">VI.</span>, King of Denmark, <a href="#Page_31">31</a>, <a href="#Page_33">33</a>, <a href="#Page_34">34</a>, <a href="#Page_166">166</a>, <a href="#Page_171">171</a>, <a href="#Page_275">275</a>, <a href="#Page_297">297</a>, <a href="#Page_298">298</a>, <a href="#Page_308">308</a>, <a href="#Page_310">310</a>, <a href="#Page_318">318</a>, <a href="#Page_373">373</a>, <a href="#Page_380">380</a>, <a href="#Page_381">381</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Frederic-Augustus <span class="smcap smaller">I.</span>, King of Saxony, <a href="#Page_5">5</a>, <a href="#Page_45">45</a>, <a href="#Page_65">65</a>, <a href="#Page_66">66</a>, <a href="#Page_204">204</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Frederic-William <span class="smcap smaller">III.</span>, King of Prussia, <a href="#Page_4">4</a>, <a href="#Page_6">6</a>, <a href="#Page_17">17</a>, <a href="#Page_33">33</a>, <a href="#Page_37">37</a>, <a href="#Page_42">42</a>, <a href="#Page_91">91</a>, <a href="#Page_93">93</a>, <a href="#Page_95">95</a>, <a href="#Page_99">99</a>, <a href="#Page_102">102</a>, <a href="#Page_155">155</a>, <a href="#Page_166">166</a>, <a href="#Page_171">171</a>, <a href="#Page_172">172</a>, <a href="#Page_202">202</a>, <a href="#Page_204">204</a>, <a href="#Page_254">254</a>, <a href="#Page_271">271</a>, <a href="#Page_296">296</a>, <a href="#Page_298">298</a>, <a href="#Page_310">310</a>, <a href="#Page_312">312</a>, <a href="#Page_318">318</a>, <a href="#Page_326">326</a>, <a href="#Page_343">343</a>, <a href="#Page_347">347</a>, <a href="#Page_348">348</a>, <a href="#Page_373">373</a>, <a href="#Page_409">409</a>, <a href="#Page_414">414</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— —— <span class="smcap smaller">IV.</span>, King of Prussia, <a href="#Page_4">4</a>, <a href="#Page_319">319</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Frïes, Comte de, <a href="#Page_209">209</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Fuchs, Comte de, <a href="#Page_157">157</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— Comtesse Laure de, <a href="#Page_41">41</a>, <a href="#Page_42">42</a>, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, <a href="#Page_46">46</a>, <a href="#Page_55">55</a>, <a href="#Page_94">94</a>, <a href="#Page_141">141</a>, <a href="#Page_156">156</a>, <a href="#Page_157">157</a>, <a href="#Page_319">319</a>, <a href="#Page_323">323</a>, <a href="#Page_326">326</a>, <a href="#Page_328">328</a>, <a href="#Page_331">331</a>, <a href="#Page_341">341</a>, <a href="#Page_405">405</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Fürstenberg, Princesse de, <a href="#Page_94">94</a>.</li> - -<li class="ifrst">Gagarin, Prince, <a href="#Page_213">213</a>, <a href="#Page_351">351</a>, <a href="#Page_405">405</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— Princesse, <a href="#Page_213">213</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Galitzin, Prince, <a href="#Page_213">213</a>, <a href="#Page_227">227</a>, <a href="#Page_228">228–230</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Garnerin, aeronaut, <a href="#Page_85">85</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Gaulot, Paul, <a href="#Page_176">176</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Geffroy, <a href="#Page_176">176</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Genlis, Comtesse de, <a href="#Page_211">211</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Gentz, Frederic de, <a href="#Page_42">42</a>, <a href="#Page_158">158</a>, <a href="#Page_201">201</a>, <a href="#Page_255">255</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Geoffrin, Mme., <a href="#Page_130">130</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">George <span class="smcap smaller">II.</span>, King of England, <a href="#Page_306">306</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— <span class="smcap smaller">III.</span>, King of England, <a href="#Page_4">4</a>, <a href="#Page_306">306</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— <span class="smcap smaller">IV.</span>, King of England, <a href="#Page_31">31</a>, <a href="#Page_66">66</a>, <a href="#Page_292">292</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Gey-Muller, banker, <a href="#Page_209">209</a>, <a href="#Page_360">360</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Golowkin, Comte, <a href="#Page_245">245–248</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Gonzalvi, Cardinal, <a href="#Page_150">150</a>, <a href="#Page_163">163</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Goubault, Mlle., <a href="#Page_143">143</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Gramont, Duc de, <a href="#Page_291">291</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Graeffer, Frantz, <a href="#Page_253">253</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Griffiths, Julius, <a href="#Page_8">8</a>, <a href="#Page_9">9</a>, <a href="#Page_202">202</a>, <a href="#Page_209">209</a>, <a href="#Page_214">214</a>, <a href="#Page_248">248</a>, <a href="#Page_268">268</a>, <a href="#Page_287">287</a>, <a href="#Page_288">288</a>, <a href="#Page_292">292</a>, <a href="#Page_383">383</a>, <a href="#Page_386">386</a>, <a href="#Page_394">394</a>, <a href="#Page_397">397</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Guérin, Pierre. <a href="#Page_143">143</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Gustavus <span class="smcap smaller">III.</span>, King of Sweden, <a href="#Page_175">175</a>, <a href="#Page_176">176</a>, <a href="#Page_181">181</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Gustavus-Adolphus <span class="smcap smaller">II.</span>, King of Sweden, <a href="#Page_271">271</a>.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_424">424</a></span></li> - -<li class="indx">—— <span class="smcap smaller">IV.</span>, King of Sweden, <a href="#Page_172">172–184</a>, <a href="#Page_270">270–272</a>.</li> - -<li class="ifrst">Hadick, Comte, <a href="#Page_113">113–116</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— Comtesse Constance, <a href="#Page_113">113–116</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Hamilton, Lady, <a href="#Page_30">30</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Hardenberg, Prince de, <a href="#Page_4">4</a>, <a href="#Page_36">36</a>, <a href="#Page_64">64</a>, <a href="#Page_172">172</a>, <a href="#Page_203">203</a>, <a href="#Page_351">351</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Haugwitz, Comte de, <a href="#Page_172">172</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Haydn, <a href="#Page_24">24</a>, <a href="#Page_141">141</a>, <a href="#Page_143">143</a>, <a href="#Page_275">275</a>, <a href="#Page_311">311</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Hédouville, <a href="#Page_22">22</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Henri <span class="smcap smaller">II.</span>, <a href="#Page_162">162</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— <span class="smcap smaller">IV.</span>, <a href="#Page_260">260</a>, <a href="#Page_415">415</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Hesse-Philipstadt, Princess of, <a href="#Page_143">143</a>, <a href="#Page_299">299</a>, <a href="#Page_300">300</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Hiller, General, <a href="#Page_33">33</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Hohenwarth, Archbishop Prince de, <a href="#Page_311">311</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Hood, Admiral, <a href="#Page_269">269</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Hortense, Queen, <a href="#Page_143">143</a>, <a href="#Page_144">144</a>, <a href="#Page_323">323–325</a>, <a href="#Page_413">413</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Humboldt, Baron Wilhelm von, <a href="#Page_4">4</a>, <a href="#Page_94">94</a>, <a href="#Page_172">172</a>, <a href="#Page_276">276</a>, <a href="#Page_395">395</a>.</li> - -<li class="ifrst">Isabey, <a href="#Page_78">78–83</a>, <a href="#Page_120">120–125</a>, <a href="#Page_138">138</a>, <a href="#Page_309">309</a>, <a href="#Page_354">354</a>, <a href="#Page_394">394–396</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Ivan <span class="smcap smaller">VI.</span>, Emperor of Russia, <a href="#Page_170">170</a>.</li> - -<li class="ifrst">Jean <span class="smcap smaller">VI.</span>, King of Portugal, <a href="#Page_39">39</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— of Austria, Archduke, <a href="#Page_166">166</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Johnson, Samuel, <a href="#Page_11">11</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Joseph <span class="smcap smaller">I.</span>, Emperor of Germany, <a href="#Page_127">127</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— <span class="smcap smaller">II.</span>, Emperor of Germany, <a href="#Page_34">34</a>, <a href="#Page_81">81</a>, <a href="#Page_84">84</a>, <a href="#Page_127">127</a>, <a href="#Page_131">131</a>, <a href="#Page_197">197</a>, <a href="#Page_254">254</a>, <a href="#Page_273">273</a>, <a href="#Page_396">396</a>, <a href="#Page_404">404</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Josephine, Empress, <a href="#Page_59">59</a>, <a href="#Page_124">124</a>, <a href="#Page_361">361</a>, <a href="#Page_363">363</a>, <a href="#Page_405">405</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Juan of Austria, Don, <a href="#Page_129">129</a>, <a href="#Page_300">300</a>.</li> - -<li class="ifrst">Kara-Mustapha, Grand Vizir, <a href="#Page_128">128</a>, <a href="#Page_319">319</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Kinsky, Chanoinesse, <a href="#Page_41">41</a>, <a href="#Page_157">157</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Kisseleff, Comte Paul, <a href="#Page_350">350</a>, <a href="#Page_351">351</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Kleber, General, <a href="#Page_39">39</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Klinkowström, Colonel, <a href="#Page_176">176</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Komar, Comte, <a href="#Page_345">345</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Koreff, Doctor, <a href="#Page_42">42</a>, <a href="#Page_201">201</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Korsakoff, General, <a href="#Page_403">403</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Koslowski, Prince, <a href="#Page_4">4</a>, <a href="#Page_95">95</a>, <a href="#Page_99">99</a>, <a href="#Page_100">100</a>, <a href="#Page_103">103</a>, <a href="#Page_201">201</a>, <a href="#Page_215">215</a>, <a href="#Page_217">217</a>, <a href="#Page_261">261</a>, <a href="#Page_262">262–264</a>, <a href="#Page_300">300</a>, <a href="#Page_320">320</a>, <a href="#Page_327">327</a>, <a href="#Page_380">380</a>, <a href="#Page_381">381</a>, <a href="#Page_383">383</a>, <a href="#Page_408">408</a>, <a href="#Page_410">410</a>, <a href="#Page_411">411</a>, <a href="#Page_412">412</a>, <a href="#Page_415">415</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Kourakin, Prince, <a href="#Page_262">262</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Kraskowitz, aeronaut, <a href="#Page_85">85</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Krazinski, General, <a href="#Page_343">343</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Krüdner, <a href="#Page_347">347</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— Baronne de, <a href="#Page_412">412</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Kutusoff, Field-Marshal, <a href="#Page_403">403</a>.</li> - -<li class="ifrst">Labrador, Chevalier de, <a href="#Page_37">37</a>, <a href="#Page_150">150</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Lacroix, Paul, <a href="#Page_12">12</a>, <a href="#Page_13">13</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Lafont, de, <a href="#Page_234">234</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">La Fontaine, Jean de, <a href="#Page_130">130</a>, <a href="#Page_375">375</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">La Garde, Comte de, <a href="#Page_10">10</a>, <a href="#Page_14">14</a>, <a href="#Page_19">19</a>, <a href="#Page_67">67</a>, <a href="#Page_77">77</a>, <a href="#Page_211">211</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">La Harpe, <a href="#Page_130">130</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Lamballe, Princesse de, <a href="#Page_130">130</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Lannes, Marshal, <a href="#Page_238">238</a>, <a href="#Page_239">239</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Lanskarowska, Comtesse, <a href="#Page_345">345</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Las-Cases, Comte de, <a href="#Page_22">22</a>, <a href="#Page_76">76</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Lascy, Marshal Comte de, <a href="#Page_131">131</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">La Tour-du-Pin, de, <a href="#Page_5">5</a>, <a href="#Page_150">150</a>, <a href="#Page_311">311</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Laudon, General Baron de, <a href="#Page_131">131</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Lauzun, Armand de Biron, Duc de, <a href="#Page_13">13</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">La Vallière, Duchesse de, <a href="#Page_101">101</a>, <a href="#Page_103">103</a>, <a href="#Page_143">143</a>, <a href="#Page_350">350</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Lazanski, Comtesse, <a href="#Page_318">318</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Lebrun, Charles, <a href="#Page_231">231</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Leopold <span class="smcap smaller">I.</span>, Emperor of Germany, <a href="#Page_127">127</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— <span class="smcap smaller">I.</span>, King of the Belgians, <a href="#Page_139">139</a>, <a href="#Page_145">145</a>, <a href="#Page_166">166</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— of Naples, Prince, <a href="#Page_150">150</a>, <a href="#Page_311">311</a>, <a href="#Page_319">319</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Le Sage, <a href="#Page_51">51</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Lestocq, Comte de, <a href="#Page_261">261</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Lesueur, Eustache, <a href="#Page_252">252</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Lezenska, Isabel, <a href="#Page_148">148</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Lichtenstein, Prince Charles de, <a href="#Page_167">167</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— Prince Jean de, <a href="#Page_163">163</a>, <a href="#Page_185">185</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— Prince Maurice de, <a href="#Page_168">168</a>, <a href="#Page_174">174</a>, <a href="#Page_360">360</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— Princesse Jean de, <a href="#Page_39">39</a>, <a href="#Page_94">94</a>, <a href="#Page_163">163</a>, <a href="#Page_174">174</a>, <a href="#Page_207">207</a>, <a href="#Page_233">233</a>, <a href="#Page_319">319</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Ligne, Hélène Massalska, Princesse de, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>, <a href="#Page_131">131</a>, <a href="#Page_252">252</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— Louise de Duras, Princesse de, <a href="#Page_252">252</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— Marshal Jean de, <a href="#Page_254">254</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— Marshal Prince Charles-Joseph de, <a href="#Page_5">5</a>, <a href="#Page_11">11–19</a>, <a href="#Page_31">31</a>, <a href="#Page_37">37</a>, <a href="#Page_67">67–84</a>, <a href="#Page_96">96</a>, <a href="#Page_105">105</a>, <a href="#Page_117">117–136</a>, <a href="#Page_139">139</a>, <a href="#Page_144">144</a>, <a href="#Page_149">149</a>, <a href="#Page_154">154–156</a>, <a href="#Page_161">161</a>, <a href="#Page_164">164</a>, <a href="#Page_166">166</a>, <a href="#Page_169">169</a>, <a href="#Page_190">190–200</a>, <a href="#Page_218">218–221</a>, <a href="#Page_232">232</a>, <a href="#Page_233">233</a>, <a href="#Page_244">244–255</a>, <a href="#Page_261">261</a>, <a href="#Page_283">283</a>, <a href="#Page_284">284</a>, <a href="#Page_298">298</a>, <a href="#Page_299">299</a>, <a href="#Page_337">337</a>, <a href="#Page_349">349</a>, <a href="#Page_369">369</a>, <a href="#Page_380">380</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Ligne, Prince Charles de, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>, <a href="#Page_131">131</a>, <a href="#Page_252">252</a>.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_425">425</a></span></li> - -<li class="indx">—— Prince Édouard de, <a href="#Page_252">252</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— Prince Ernest de, <a href="#Page_252">252</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— Prince Eugene-François Lamoral-Charles de, <a href="#Page_252">252</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— Prince Louis de, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>, <a href="#Page_252">252</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Livry, Marquis de, <a href="#Page_361">361</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Loevenhielm, Comte de, <a href="#Page_172">172</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Londonderry, Marquis of, <a href="#Page_65">65</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Lorrain, Claude de, <a href="#Page_404">404</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Louis <span class="smcap smaller">I.</span>, King of Bavaria, <a href="#Page_18">18</a>, <a href="#Page_289">289</a>, <a href="#Page_300">300</a>, <a href="#Page_319">319</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— <span class="smcap smaller">I.</span>, King of Etruria, <a href="#Page_184">184</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— <span class="smcap smaller">II.</span>, King of Etruria, <a href="#Page_184">184</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— <span class="smcap smaller">X.</span>, Grand-Duke of Hesse-Darmstadt, <a href="#Page_5">5</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— <span class="smcap smaller">XIII.</span>, <a href="#Page_165">165</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— <span class="smcap smaller">XIV.</span>, <a href="#Page_44">44</a>, <a href="#Page_48">48</a>, <a href="#Page_57">57</a>, <a href="#Page_101">101</a>, <a href="#Page_102">102</a>, <a href="#Page_143">143</a>, <a href="#Page_147">147</a>, <a href="#Page_151">151</a>, <a href="#Page_174">174</a>, <a href="#Page_175">175</a>, <a href="#Page_266">266</a>, <a href="#Page_298">298</a>, <a href="#Page_350">350</a>, <a href="#Page_352">352</a>, <a href="#Page_379">379</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— <span class="smcap smaller">XV.</span>, <a href="#Page_42">42</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— <span class="smcap smaller">XVI.</span>, <a href="#Page_60">60</a>, <a href="#Page_63">63</a>, <a href="#Page_309">309</a>, <a href="#Page_311">311</a>, <a href="#Page_336">336</a>, <a href="#Page_356">356</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— <span class="smcap smaller">XVIII.</span>, <a href="#Page_60">60</a>, <a href="#Page_61">61</a>, <a href="#Page_63">63</a>, <a href="#Page_65">65</a>, <a href="#Page_313">313</a>, <a href="#Page_418">418</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Louis-Philippe <span class="smcap smaller">I.</span>, <a href="#Page_250">250</a>, <a href="#Page_263">263</a>, <a href="#Page_264">264</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Louise of Prussia, Queen, <a href="#Page_4">4</a>, <a href="#Page_99">99</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Lowendahl, Comte de, <a href="#Page_302">302</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Lubomirska, Princesse Rosalie, <a href="#Page_148">148</a>, <a href="#Page_164">164</a>, <a href="#Page_319">319</a>, <a href="#Page_345">345</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Lubomirski, Prince, <a href="#Page_129">129</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Luchesini, Comte de, <a href="#Page_150">150</a>, <a href="#Page_402">402</a>, <a href="#Page_404">404</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— Marquis de, <a href="#Page_93">93</a>, <a href="#Page_404">404</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Luynes, Duchesse de, <a href="#Page_378">378</a>.</li> - -<li class="ifrst">Maintenon, Marquise de, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>, <a href="#Page_95">95</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Malfati, Doctor, <a href="#Page_160">160</a>, <a href="#Page_245">245–251</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Malte-Brun, <a href="#Page_12">12</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Manug, Prince, <a href="#Page_163">163</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Marassi, Comtesse, <a href="#Page_144">144</a>, <a href="#Page_149">149</a>, <a href="#Page_164">164</a>, <a href="#Page_232">232</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Marguerite de Bourgogne, <a href="#Page_300">300</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Marialva, Marquis de, <a href="#Page_150">150</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Maria-Theresa, Empress of Austria, <a href="#Page_30">30</a>, <a href="#Page_76">76</a>, <a href="#Page_78">78</a>, <a href="#Page_81">81</a>, <a href="#Page_106">106</a>, <a href="#Page_108">108</a>, <a href="#Page_115">115</a>, <a href="#Page_131">131</a>, <a href="#Page_200">200</a>, <a href="#Page_220">220</a>, <a href="#Page_273">273</a>, <a href="#Page_358">358</a>, <a href="#Page_396">396</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Marie-Antoinette, Queen. <a href="#Page_30">30</a>, <a href="#Page_121">121</a>, <a href="#Page_131">131</a>, <a href="#Page_132">132</a>, <a href="#Page_156">156</a>, <a href="#Page_245">245</a>, <a href="#Page_311">311</a>, <a href="#Page_321">321</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Marie-Caroline, Queen of Naples, <a href="#Page_30">30</a>, <a href="#Page_358">358</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Marie Louise, Empress, <a href="#Page_59">59</a>, <a href="#Page_76">76</a>, <a href="#Page_77">77</a>, <a href="#Page_78">78</a>, <a href="#Page_80">80</a>, <a href="#Page_82">82</a>, <a href="#Page_138">138</a>, <a href="#Page_154">154</a>, <a href="#Page_166">166</a>, <a href="#Page_217">217</a>, <a href="#Page_267">267</a>, <a href="#Page_326">326</a>, <a href="#Page_356">356</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— —— Queen of Etruria, <a href="#Page_184">184</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Marie-Louise d’Este, Empress of Austria, <a href="#Page_7">7</a>, <a href="#Page_32">32</a>, <a href="#Page_39">39</a>, <a href="#Page_90">90</a>, <a href="#Page_108">108</a>, <a href="#Page_109">109</a>, <a href="#Page_111">111</a>, <a href="#Page_112">112</a>, <a href="#Page_113">113</a>, <a href="#Page_136">136</a>, <a href="#Page_141">141</a>, <a href="#Page_142">142</a>, <a href="#Page_147">147</a>, <a href="#Page_149">149</a>, <a href="#Page_155">155</a>, <a href="#Page_171">171</a>, <a href="#Page_311">311</a>, <a href="#Page_320">320</a>, <a href="#Page_326">326</a>, <a href="#Page_349">349</a>, <a href="#Page_412">412</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Marie Stuart, Queen, <a href="#Page_42">42</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Marmont, Marshal, <a href="#Page_36">36</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Marmottan, Paul, <a href="#Page_92">92</a>, <a href="#Page_184">184</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Massillon, <a href="#Page_398">398</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Maupertuis, <a href="#Page_254">254</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Maurepas, Comte de, <a href="#Page_222">222</a>, <a href="#Page_223">223</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Maximilian <span class="smcap smaller">I.</span>, Emperor of Germany, <a href="#Page_29">29</a>, <a href="#Page_106">106</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— <span class="smcap smaller">II.</span>, King of Bavaria, <a href="#Page_301">301</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— d’Este, Archduke, <a href="#Page_166">166</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Maximilian-Joseph <span class="smcap smaller">I.</span>, King of Bavaria, <a href="#Page_5">5</a>, <a href="#Page_17">17</a>, <a href="#Page_31">31</a>, <a href="#Page_33">33</a>, <a href="#Page_72">72</a>, <a href="#Page_95">95</a>, <a href="#Page_102">102</a>, <a href="#Page_144">144</a>, <a href="#Page_152">152</a>, <a href="#Page_166">166</a>, <a href="#Page_171">171</a>, <a href="#Page_179">179</a>, <a href="#Page_212">212</a>, <a href="#Page_275">275</a>, <a href="#Page_276">276</a>, <a href="#Page_296">296</a>, <a href="#Page_297">297</a>, <a href="#Page_310">310</a>, <a href="#Page_320">320</a>, <a href="#Page_326">326</a>, <a href="#Page_364">364</a>, <a href="#Page_373">373</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Mazarin, Cardinal de, <a href="#Page_374">374</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Mazeppa, <a href="#Page_259">259</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Ménage, Gilles, <a href="#Page_194">194</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Méneval, Baron de, <a href="#Page_81">81</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Menzikoff, General Prince, <a href="#Page_261">261</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Metastasio, <a href="#Page_126">126</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Metternich, Prince de, <a href="#Page_36">36</a>, <a href="#Page_42">42</a>, <a href="#Page_79">79</a>, <a href="#Page_94">94</a>, <a href="#Page_172">172</a>, <a href="#Page_205">205</a>, <a href="#Page_225">225</a>, <a href="#Page_260">260</a>, <a href="#Page_265">265</a>, <a href="#Page_312">312</a>, <a href="#Page_313">313</a>, <a href="#Page_353">353–356</a>, <a href="#Page_378">378</a>, <a href="#Page_394">394</a>, <a href="#Page_410">410</a>, <a href="#Page_412">412</a>, <a href="#Page_414">414</a>, <a href="#Page_418">418</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Metternich, Princesse de, <a href="#Page_137">137</a>, <a href="#Page_149">149</a>, <a href="#Page_163">163</a>, <a href="#Page_232">232</a>, <a href="#Page_355">355</a>, <a href="#Page_412">412</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Milton, <a href="#Page_341">341</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Mirabeau, Marquis de, <a href="#Page_155">155</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Molière, <a href="#Page_155">155</a>, <a href="#Page_246">246</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Montbel, Comte de, <a href="#Page_79">79</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Monte-Nuovo, Prince de, <a href="#Page_217">217</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Montesquiou, <a href="#Page_70">70</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Montesquiou, Mme de, <a href="#Page_77">77</a>, <a href="#Page_78">78</a>, <a href="#Page_80">80</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Montrond, Comte de, <a href="#Page_238">238</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Moreau, architect, <a href="#Page_138">138</a>, <a href="#Page_295">295</a>, <a href="#Page_309">309</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Mortier, Marshal, <a href="#Page_403">403</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Mozart, <a href="#Page_143">143</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Münnich, Marshal Comte de, <a href="#Page_170">170</a>, <a href="#Page_261">261</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Murat, King, <a href="#Page_150">150</a>, <a href="#Page_208">208</a>, <a href="#Page_358">358</a>, <a href="#Page_412">412</a>.</li> - -<li class="ifrst">Napoleon <span class="smcap smaller">I.</span>, <a href="#Page_3">3</a>, <a href="#Page_4">4</a>, <a href="#Page_14">14</a>, <a href="#Page_17">17</a>, <a href="#Page_22">22</a>, <a href="#Page_23">23</a>, <a href="#Page_36">36</a>, <a href="#Page_39">39</a>, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, <a href="#Page_44">44</a>, <a href="#Page_48">48</a>, <a href="#Page_53">53</a>, <a href="#Page_59">59</a>, <a href="#Page_62">62</a>, <a href="#Page_65">65</a>, <a href="#Page_66">66</a>, <a href="#Page_76">76–83</a>, <a href="#Page_93">93</a>, <a href="#Page_118">118–125</a>, <a href="#Page_134">134</a>, <a href="#Page_141">141</a>, <a href="#Page_152">152</a>, <a href="#Page_159">159</a>, <a href="#Page_172">172</a>, <a href="#Page_198">198</a>, <a href="#Page_199">199</a>, <a href="#Page_211">211</a>, <a href="#Page_212">212</a>, <a href="#Page_217">217</a>, <a href="#Page_263">263</a>, <a href="#Page_267">267–271</a>, <a href="#Page_274">274</a>, <a href="#Page_279">279</a>, <a href="#Page_313">313</a>, <a href="#Page_315">315</a>, <a href="#Page_326">326</a>, <a href="#Page_331">331</a>, <a href="#Page_343">343</a>, <a href="#Page_356">356</a>, <a href="#Page_361">361</a>, <a href="#Page_362">362</a>, <a href="#Page_374">374</a>, <a href="#Page_379">379</a>, <a href="#Page_383">383</a>, <a href="#Page_403">403</a>, <a href="#Page_407">407</a>, <a href="#Page_408">408</a>, <a href="#Page_410">410</a>, <a href="#Page_420">420</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Narischkine, Alexander, <a href="#Page_95">95</a>, <a href="#Page_97">97</a>, <a href="#Page_201">201</a>, <a href="#Page_213">213</a>, <a href="#Page_226">226</a>, <a href="#Page_235">235</a>, <a href="#Page_236">236</a>.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_426">426</a></span></li> - -<li class="indx">Neil Campbell, Sir, <a href="#Page_80">80</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Neipperg, Comte de, <a href="#Page_83">83</a>, <a href="#Page_166">166</a>, <a href="#Page_217">217</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Nelson, Admiral, <a href="#Page_30">30</a>, <a href="#Page_305">305</a>, <a href="#Page_308">308</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Nesselrode, Comte de, <a href="#Page_4">4</a>, <a href="#Page_36">36</a>, <a href="#Page_95">95</a>, <a href="#Page_172">172</a>, <a href="#Page_213">213</a>, <a href="#Page_345">345</a>, <a href="#Page_346">346</a>, <a href="#Page_396">396</a>, <a href="#Page_407">407</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Neukomm, <a href="#Page_311">311</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Ney, Marshal, <a href="#Page_403">403</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Nicolas <span class="smcap smaller">I.</span>, Emperor of Russia, <a href="#Page_36">36</a>, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Noailles, Comte Alexis de, <a href="#Page_5">5</a>, <a href="#Page_150">150</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Nostiltz, General, <a href="#Page_42">42</a>, <a href="#Page_300">300</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Nowosilitzoff, <a href="#Page_117">117</a>, <a href="#Page_119">119</a>.</li> - -<li class="ifrst">O’Béarn, <a href="#Page_290">290–293</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Ojarowski, General Comte, <a href="#Page_19">19</a>, <a href="#Page_138">138</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Oldenbourg, Grand duc d’, <a href="#Page_211">211</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Ompteda, Baron d’, <a href="#Page_42">42</a>, <a href="#Page_99">99</a>, <a href="#Page_156">156</a>, <a href="#Page_357">357</a>, <a href="#Page_358">358</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Orléans, Princesse Louise d’, Queen of the Belgians, <a href="#Page_139">139</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Orloff, Alexis, <a href="#Page_170">170</a>, <a href="#Page_214">214</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— General Compte, <a href="#Page_214">214</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— Gregory, <a href="#Page_170">170</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Oscar <span class="smcap smaller">II.</span>, King of Sweden, <a href="#Page_181">181</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Ostrowski, Comte, <a href="#Page_344">344</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Ouvrard, Julien, <a href="#Page_238">238</a>, <a href="#Page_239">239</a>, <a href="#Page_362">362</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Ouwaroff, General, <a href="#Page_200">200</a>, <a href="#Page_255">255</a>, <a href="#Page_346">346</a>, <a href="#Page_350">350</a>, <a href="#Page_403">403</a>, <a href="#Page_419">419</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Oxford, Earl of, <a href="#Page_207">207</a>.</li> - -<li class="ifrst">Pahlen, Comte de, <a href="#Page_42">42</a>, <a href="#Page_262">262</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Palfi, Comte François, <a href="#Page_113">113</a>, <a href="#Page_159">159</a>, <a href="#Page_300">300</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— Comtesse, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>, <a href="#Page_248">248</a>, <a href="#Page_252">252</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— Ferdinand de, <a href="#Page_159">159</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Pallain, G., <a href="#Page_60">60</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Palmella, Duc de, <a href="#Page_37">37</a>, <a href="#Page_172">172</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Pankratieff, General, <a href="#Page_351">351</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Paoli, General Pascal, <a href="#Page_62">62</a>, <a href="#Page_63">63</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Parker, Admiral, <a href="#Page_305">305</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Paar, Comte de, <a href="#Page_176">176</a>, <a href="#Page_177">177</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— Comtesse de, <a href="#Page_149">149</a>, <a href="#Page_266">266</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Paul <span class="smcap smaller">I.</span>, Emperor of Russia, <a href="#Page_42">42</a>, <a href="#Page_61">61</a>, <a href="#Page_96">96</a>, <a href="#Page_262">262</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Percy, Lucien, <a href="#Page_12">12</a>, <a href="#Page_131">131</a>, <a href="#Page_252">252</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Pereyra, Mme., <a href="#Page_360">360</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Périgord, Comte Edmond de, <a href="#Page_150">150</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— Comtesse Edmond de, <a href="#Page_41">41</a>, <a href="#Page_44">44</a>, <a href="#Page_55">55</a>, <a href="#Page_59">59</a>, <a href="#Page_64">64</a>, <a href="#Page_68">68</a>, <a href="#Page_93">93</a>, <a href="#Page_138">138</a>, <a href="#Page_158">158</a>, <a href="#Page_164">164</a>, <a href="#Page_172">172</a>, <a href="#Page_376">376</a>, <a href="#Page_377">377</a>, <a href="#Page_412">412</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Peter <span class="smcap smaller">I.</span>, Emperor of Russia, <a href="#Page_95">95</a>, <a href="#Page_170">170</a>, <a href="#Page_208">208</a>, <a href="#Page_259">259</a>, <a href="#Page_348">348</a>, <a href="#Page_352">352</a>, <a href="#Page_384">384</a>, <a href="#Page_389">389</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— <span class="smcap smaller">III.</span>, Emperor of Russia, <a href="#Page_262">262</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Petersen, Comte, <a href="#Page_138">138</a>, <a href="#Page_166">166</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Petronius, <a href="#Page_249">249</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Philip <span class="smcap smaller">I.</span>, King of Spain, <a href="#Page_254">254</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Philip of Hesse-Hombourg, Prince, <a href="#Page_5">5</a>, <a href="#Page_42">42</a>, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, <a href="#Page_91">91</a>, <a href="#Page_158">158</a>, <a href="#Page_163">163</a>, <a href="#Page_174">174</a>, <a href="#Page_255">255</a>, <a href="#Page_296">296</a>, <a href="#Page_329">329</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Piccini, Nicolo, <a href="#Page_183">183</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Pinto, de, <a href="#Page_93">93</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Piper, Comte, <a href="#Page_183">183</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Pitt, William, <a href="#Page_42">42</a>, <a href="#Page_65">65</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Pius <span class="smcap smaller">V.</span>, Pope, <a href="#Page_129">129</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— <span class="smcap smaller">VI.</span>, Pope, <a href="#Page_241">241</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— <span class="smcap smaller">VII.</span>, <a href="#Page_241">241</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Pletemberg, Comte, <a href="#Page_41">41</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— Comtesse, <a href="#Page_41">41</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Polignac, Duchesse Jules de, <a href="#Page_130">130</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Pompadour, Marquise de, <a href="#Page_375">375</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Potemkin, Prince, <a href="#Page_12">12</a>, <a href="#Page_75">75</a>, <a href="#Page_103">103</a>, <a href="#Page_351">351</a>, <a href="#Page_353">353</a>, <a href="#Page_369">369</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Potier, Ch., <a href="#Page_51">51</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Potocka, Comtesse Sophie, <a href="#Page_19">19</a>, <a href="#Page_42">42</a>, <a href="#Page_45">45</a>, <a href="#Page_54">54</a>, <a href="#Page_66">66</a>, <a href="#Page_213">213</a>, <a href="#Page_245">245</a>, <a href="#Page_351">351</a>, <a href="#Page_365">365–374</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Potocki, Comte Alfred, <a href="#Page_300">300</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— Comte Arthur, <a href="#Page_119">119</a>, <a href="#Page_139">139</a>, <a href="#Page_345">345</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— Comte Felix, <a href="#Page_227">227</a>, <a href="#Page_365">365</a>, <a href="#Page_369">369–370</a>, <a href="#Page_371">371</a>, <a href="#Page_372">372</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— Comte Jean, <a href="#Page_119">119</a>, <a href="#Page_373">373</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— Comte Stanislas, <a href="#Page_138">138</a>, <a href="#Page_300">300</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Pozzo di Borgo, General Comte, <a href="#Page_4">4</a>, <a href="#Page_60">60</a>, <a href="#Page_62">62</a>, <a href="#Page_63">63</a>, <a href="#Page_64">64</a>, <a href="#Page_95">95</a>, <a href="#Page_150">150</a>, <a href="#Page_315">315</a>, <a href="#Page_316">316</a>, <a href="#Page_396">396</a>, <a href="#Page_411">411</a>, <a href="#Page_413">413</a>, <a href="#Page_414">414</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Praslin, Duchesse de, <a href="#Page_13">13</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Pratazoff, Comtesse, <a href="#Page_283">283</a>, <a href="#Page_284">284</a>, <a href="#Page_385">385</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Prokesch Osten, Comte de, <a href="#Page_42">42</a>, <a href="#Page_79">79</a>.</li> - -<li class="ifrst">Racine, Jean, <a href="#Page_48">48</a>, <a href="#Page_143">143</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Radzivill, Prince Antoine, <a href="#Page_138">138</a>, <a href="#Page_144">144</a>, <a href="#Page_166">166</a>, <a href="#Page_232">232</a>, <a href="#Page_345">345</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— Princesse Louise, <a href="#Page_395">395</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Raily, <a href="#Page_287">287–290</a>, <a href="#Page_292">292–294</a>, <a href="#Page_386">386–388</a>, <a href="#Page_393">393</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Raphael, Sanzio, <a href="#Page_215">215</a>, <a href="#Page_404">404</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Razumowski, Comte Alexia, <a href="#Page_258">258</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— Field-Marshal Cyril, <a href="#Page_202">202</a>, <a href="#Page_258">258–260</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— Alexis, Minister, <a href="#Page_258">258</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— Prince André, <a href="#Page_60">60</a>, <a href="#Page_95">95</a>, <a href="#Page_199">199</a>, <a href="#Page_202">202</a>, <a href="#Page_203">203</a>, <a href="#Page_210">210</a>, <a href="#Page_213">213</a>, <a href="#Page_222">222</a>, <a href="#Page_256">256–261</a>, <a href="#Page_313">313</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Récamier, banker, <a href="#Page_335">335</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— Mme., <a href="#Page_141">141</a>, <a href="#Page_153">153</a>, <a href="#Page_238">238</a>, <a href="#Page_330">330</a>, <a href="#Page_335">335–341</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Rechberg, Comte Charles de, <a href="#Page_150">150</a>, <a href="#Page_276">276</a>, <a href="#Page_296">296</a>, <a href="#Page_297">297</a>, <a href="#Page_300">300</a>, <a href="#Page_301">301</a>, <a href="#Page_364">364</a>, <a href="#Page_373">373</a>.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_427">427</a></span></li> - -<li class="indx">Régnier, Archduke of Austria, <a href="#Page_166">166</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Reichstadt, Duc de, <a href="#Page_21">21</a>, <a href="#Page_42">42</a>, <a href="#Page_71">71</a>, <a href="#Page_77">77–83</a>, <a href="#Page_125">125</a>, <a href="#Page_166">166</a>, <a href="#Page_245">245</a>, <a href="#Page_326">326</a>, <a href="#Page_356">356</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Rémusat, A. de, <a href="#Page_4">4</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Reuss, Prince de, <a href="#Page_99">99</a>, <a href="#Page_100">100</a>, <a href="#Page_158">158</a>, <a href="#Page_243">243</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Richelieu, Duc de, <a href="#Page_19">19</a>, <a href="#Page_60">60</a>, <a href="#Page_61">61</a>, <a href="#Page_66">66</a>, <a href="#Page_255">255</a>, <a href="#Page_348">348</a>, <a href="#Page_396">396</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— Marshal de, <a href="#Page_60">60</a>, <a href="#Page_187">187</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Rios, Chevalier de Los, <a href="#Page_150">150</a>, <a href="#Page_201">201</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Robespierre, Maximilien, <a href="#Page_363">363</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Rochechouart, General Comte de, <a href="#Page_61">61</a>, <a href="#Page_66">66</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Rodocanachi, Emmanuel, <a href="#Page_92">92</a>, <a href="#Page_184">184</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Rodolphe of Hapsbourg, Emperor of Germany, <a href="#Page_106">106</a>, <a href="#Page_130">130</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Rohan, Prince Louis de, <a href="#Page_377">377</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Romanzoff, Grand Chancellor, <a href="#Page_262">262</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Rosemberg, Prince, <a href="#Page_288">288</a>, <a href="#Page_386">386</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Rossi, Comte de, <a href="#Page_150">150</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Rostand, Edmond, <a href="#Page_79">79</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Rouen, Achille, <a href="#Page_54">54</a>, <a href="#Page_201">201</a>, <a href="#Page_236">236</a>, <a href="#Page_237">237</a>, <a href="#Page_240">240</a>, <a href="#Page_241">241</a>, <a href="#Page_243">243</a>, <a href="#Page_375">375</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Rousseau, Jean-Jacques, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>, <a href="#Page_70">70</a>, <a href="#Page_78">78</a>, <a href="#Page_132">132</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Rozen, Comte de, <a href="#Page_178">178</a>, <a href="#Page_179">179</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Rubens, <a href="#Page_205">205</a>, <a href="#Page_405">405</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Ruffo, Commander Alvaro, <a href="#Page_37">37</a>, <a href="#Page_172">172</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Ruysdael, <a href="#Page_88">88</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Rzewuska, Comtesse Rosalie, <a href="#Page_147">147</a>, <a href="#Page_148">148</a>, <a href="#Page_164">164</a>, <a href="#Page_319">319</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Rzewuski, Comte, <a href="#Page_148">148</a>.</li> - -<li class="ifrst">Sagan, Duchesse de, <a href="#Page_40">40</a>, <a href="#Page_94">94</a>, <a href="#Page_120">120</a>, <a href="#Page_157">157</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Saint-Germain, Comte de, <a href="#Page_288">288</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Saint-Marsan, Comte de, <a href="#Page_48">48</a>, <a href="#Page_53">53</a>, <a href="#Page_150">150</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Salieri, <a href="#Page_68">68</a>, <a href="#Page_311">311</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Salisbury, Alice of, <a href="#Page_104">104</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Salm, Prince de, <a href="#Page_77">77</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Salvox, Marquis de, <a href="#Page_133">133</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Sapieha, Prince Paul, <a href="#Page_345">345</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— Princesse Paul, <a href="#Page_39">39</a>, <a href="#Page_345">345</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Saxe-Teschen, Duc de, <a href="#Page_402">402</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Saxe-Weimar, Grand-Duchess Marie of, <a href="#Page_90">90</a>, <a href="#Page_166">166</a>, <a href="#Page_171">171</a>, <a href="#Page_318">318</a>, <a href="#Page_349">349</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Schenye, Louis de, <a href="#Page_167">167</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Schiller, <a href="#Page_138">138</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Schönborn, Comte de, <a href="#Page_144">144</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— Comtesse de, <a href="#Page_149">149</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Schönfeldt, Comte de, <a href="#Page_143">143</a>, <a href="#Page_107">107</a>, <a href="#Page_231">231</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Schwartzenberg, Eléonore de, <a href="#Page_149">149</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— Marshal Prince de, <a href="#Page_21">21</a>, <a href="#Page_25">25</a>, <a href="#Page_33">33</a>, <a href="#Page_265">265</a>, <a href="#Page_327">327</a>, <a href="#Page_356">356</a>, <a href="#Page_359">359</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— Pauline de, <a href="#Page_149">149</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— Prince Joseph de, <a href="#Page_21">21</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— Princesse de, <a href="#Page_163">163</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Sebastiani, Marshal, <a href="#Page_13">13</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— Maréchale, <a href="#Page_13">13</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Ségur, Marshal de, <a href="#Page_231">231</a>, <a href="#Page_246">246</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Serent, Duc de, <a href="#Page_121">121</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Serrurier, Marshal, <a href="#Page_22">22</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Sévigné, Marquise de, <a href="#Page_207">207</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Shakespeare, William, <a href="#Page_9">9</a>, <a href="#Page_263">263</a>, <a href="#Page_274">274</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Sidney Smith, Admiral, <a href="#Page_39">39</a>, <a href="#Page_91">91</a>, <a href="#Page_147">147</a>, <a href="#Page_172">172</a>, <a href="#Page_268">268–275</a>, <a href="#Page_278">278</a>, <a href="#Page_289">289</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Sigismond, Emperor of Germany, <a href="#Page_118">118</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Sinclair, George, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, <a href="#Page_44">44</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— Sir John, <a href="#Page_44">44</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Siniavin, Admiral, <a href="#Page_316">316</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Sobieski, John, <a href="#Page_118">118</a>, <a href="#Page_128">128</a>, <a href="#Page_129">129</a>, <a href="#Page_319">319</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Souvaroff, General, <a href="#Page_60">60</a>, <a href="#Page_96">96</a>, <a href="#Page_213">213</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— Princesse Hélène, <a href="#Page_96">96</a>, <a href="#Page_103">103</a>, <a href="#Page_149">149</a>, <a href="#Page_213">213</a>, <a href="#Page_396">396–400</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Spiegel, Baronne, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>, <a href="#Page_252">252</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Stackelberg, Comte de, <a href="#Page_4">4</a>, <a href="#Page_350">350</a>, <a href="#Page_353">353</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Staël, Baronne de, <a href="#Page_12">12</a>, <a href="#Page_91">91</a>, <a href="#Page_133">133</a>, <a href="#Page_134">134</a>, <a href="#Page_135">135</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Stahrenberg, Princesse de, <a href="#Page_163">163</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Stair, Lord, <a href="#Page_401">401</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Stanislas-Augustus, King of Poland, <a href="#Page_379">379</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Stein, Baron de, <a href="#Page_36">36</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Sterne, Lawrence, <a href="#Page_9">9</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Struenzée, J.-F., <a href="#Page_4">4</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Stewart, Lord. English Ambassador, <a href="#Page_90">90</a>, <a href="#Page_151">151</a>, <a href="#Page_205">205</a>, <a href="#Page_267">267</a>, <a href="#Page_341">341</a>, <a href="#Page_410">410</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Sully, Duc de, <a href="#Page_260">260</a>, <a href="#Page_415">415</a>.</li> - -<li class="ifrst">Taigny, Edmond, <a href="#Page_121">121</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Talleyrand, Mme. Grant, Princesse de, <a href="#Page_238">238</a>, <a href="#Page_239">239</a>, <a href="#Page_240">240</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— Prince de Bénévent, <a href="#Page_5">5</a>, <a href="#Page_14">14</a>, <a href="#Page_36">36</a>, <a href="#Page_40">40</a>, <a href="#Page_55">55–60</a>, <a href="#Page_64">64–65</a>, <a href="#Page_96">96</a>, <a href="#Page_121">121</a>, <a href="#Page_150">150</a>, <a href="#Page_204">204</a>, <a href="#Page_208">208</a>, <a href="#Page_211">211</a>, <a href="#Page_236">236–243</a>, <a href="#Page_309">309</a>, <a href="#Page_311">311</a>, <a href="#Page_312">312</a>, <a href="#Page_313">313</a>, <a href="#Page_315">315</a>, <a href="#Page_327">327</a>, <a href="#Page_351">351</a>, <a href="#Page_353">353</a>, <a href="#Page_375">375–379</a>, <a href="#Page_412">412</a>, <a href="#Page_414">414</a>, <a href="#Page_416">416–419</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Tallien, <a href="#Page_362">362</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— Mme., <a href="#Page_362">362</a>, <a href="#Page_363">363</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Talma, <a href="#Page_101">101</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Tascher de la Pagerie, Comte de, <a href="#Page_60">60</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Tasso, <a href="#Page_137">137</a>, <a href="#Page_372">372</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Teniers, David, <a href="#Page_88">88</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Tettenborn, General, <a href="#Page_4">4</a>, <a href="#Page_20">20–25</a>, <a href="#Page_47">47</a>, <a href="#Page_91">91</a>, <a href="#Page_201">201</a>, <a href="#Page_242">242</a>, <a href="#Page_255">255</a>, <a href="#Page_290">290</a>, <a href="#Page_396">396</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Theodore <span class="smcap smaller">I.</span>, King of Corsica, <a href="#Page_275">275</a>, <a href="#Page_276">276</a>.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_428">428</a></span></li> - -<li class="indx">Thierry, Baron, <a href="#Page_147">147</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Titians, <a href="#Page_405">405</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Tolstoy, Comtesse, <a href="#Page_100">100</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— Marshal Comte, <a href="#Page_100">100</a>, <a href="#Page_101">101</a>, <a href="#Page_351">351</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Torlonia, Duc de, <a href="#Page_241">241</a>, <a href="#Page_242">242</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Torstenson, Comte de, <a href="#Page_180">180</a>, <a href="#Page_182">182</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— Field-Marshal, <a href="#Page_180">180</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Tour-et-Taxis, Princesse de la, <a href="#Page_39">39</a>, <a href="#Page_94">94</a>, <a href="#Page_99">99</a>, <a href="#Page_147">147</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Trauttmansdorff, Comte de, <a href="#Page_143">143</a>, <a href="#Page_167">167</a>, <a href="#Page_172">172</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— Marshal Prince de, <a href="#Page_120">120</a>, <a href="#Page_137">137</a>, <a href="#Page_143">143</a>, <a href="#Page_161">161</a>, <a href="#Page_318">318</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Trazegnies, Marquis de, <a href="#Page_252">252</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Trembecki, poet, <a href="#Page_373">373</a>, <a href="#Page_374">374</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Tressan, Comte de, <a href="#Page_194">194</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Troubetzkoi, Prince, <a href="#Page_213">213</a>, <a href="#Page_351">351</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Turach, Captain Albert, <a href="#Page_307">307</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Turenne, Marshal de, <a href="#Page_125">125</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Tyskewiez, Mme., <a href="#Page_378">378</a>.</li> - -<li class="ifrst">Urgate, Comtesse d’, <a href="#Page_149">149</a>.</li> - -<li class="ifrst">Vandal, Albert, <a href="#Page_211">211</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Van Dyck, <a href="#Page_215">215</a>, <a href="#Page_405">405</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Varnhagen, <a href="#Page_42">42</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Vatel, <a href="#Page_207">207</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Vaudémont, Princess de, <a href="#Page_378">378</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Vaudreuil, Comte de, <a href="#Page_130">130</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Vestris, <a href="#Page_381">381</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Vitzay, Comte, <a href="#Page_286">286</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Volkonski, Prince, <a href="#Page_95">95</a>, <a href="#Page_213">213</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— Princesse, <a href="#Page_102">102</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Voltaire, <a href="#Page_130">130</a>, <a href="#Page_132">132</a>, <a href="#Page_155">155</a>, <a href="#Page_274">274</a>, <a href="#Page_275">275</a>.</li> - -<li class="ifrst">Walluzen, Comtesse, <a href="#Page_319">319</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Walmoden, Field-Marshal, <a href="#Page_42">42</a>, <a href="#Page_158">158</a>, <a href="#Page_163">163</a>, <a href="#Page_255">255</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Wallstein, Comte de, <a href="#Page_138">138</a>, <a href="#Page_232">232</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— Prince de, <a href="#Page_135">135</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— Princesse de, <a href="#Page_163">163</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Wargemont, Viscomte de, <a href="#Page_167">167</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Wellesley Pole, <a href="#Page_382">382</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Wellington, General Duke of, <a href="#Page_381">381</a>, <a href="#Page_394">394</a>, <a href="#Page_414">414</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Werner, Zacharie, <a href="#Page_398">398</a>, <a href="#Page_399">399</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Wessemberg, Baron de, <a href="#Page_172">172</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Wilhem, Mlle. de, <a href="#Page_147">147</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">William, Duke of Hesse-Cassel, <a href="#Page_5">5</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— <span class="smcap smaller">I.</span>, King of Würtemberg, <a href="#Page_5">5</a>, <a href="#Page_17">17</a>, <a href="#Page_32">32</a>, <a href="#Page_98">98</a>, <a href="#Page_211">211</a>, <a href="#Page_212">212</a>, <a href="#Page_213">213</a>, <a href="#Page_215">215–279</a>, <a href="#Page_289">289</a>, <a href="#Page_319">319</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Wintzingerode, Comte de, <a href="#Page_36">36</a>, <a href="#Page_150">150</a>, <a href="#Page_207">207</a>, <a href="#Page_351">351</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Witt, Comte Jean de, <a href="#Page_45">45</a>, <a href="#Page_367">367–370</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— General Comte de, <a href="#Page_4">4</a>, <a href="#Page_42">42</a>, <a href="#Page_45">45</a>, <a href="#Page_46">46</a>, <a href="#Page_48">48</a>, <a href="#Page_53">53</a>, <a href="#Page_54">54</a>, <a href="#Page_154">154</a>, <a href="#Page_156">156</a>, <a href="#Page_201">201</a>, <a href="#Page_244">244</a>, <a href="#Page_245">245</a>, <a href="#Page_255">255</a>, <a href="#Page_297">297</a>, <a href="#Page_298">298</a>, <a href="#Page_301">301</a>, <a href="#Page_305">305</a>, <a href="#Page_320">320</a>, <a href="#Page_321">321</a>, <a href="#Page_327">327</a>, <a href="#Page_346">346</a>, <a href="#Page_369">369</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— Princesse Lubomirska, Comtesse de, <a href="#Page_45">45</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Woronzoff, Chancellor, <a href="#Page_170">170</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Wortzel, <a href="#Page_369">369</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Woyna, Comte Alfred de, <a href="#Page_233">233</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— Comte Félix de, <a href="#Page_45">45</a>, <a href="#Page_138">138</a>, <a href="#Page_143">143</a>, <a href="#Page_160">160</a>, <a href="#Page_166">166</a>, <a href="#Page_233">233</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— Comtesse Sophie de, <a href="#Page_138">138</a>, <a href="#Page_149">149</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Wrède, Marshal Prince de, <a href="#Page_36">36</a>, <a href="#Page_326">326</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Wurbna, Comte de, <a href="#Page_146">146</a>, <a href="#Page_147">147</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— Comtesse Flore de, <a href="#Page_138">138</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Wurmbrandt, Comte de, <a href="#Page_162">162</a>.</li> - -<li class="ifrst">Yblonowska, Princesse, <a href="#Page_138">138</a>, <a href="#Page_143">143</a>, <a href="#Page_149">149</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">York, Duke of, <a href="#Page_32">32</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Ypsilanti, Alexandre, <a href="#Page_4">4</a>, <a href="#Page_87">87</a>, <a href="#Page_91">91</a>, <a href="#Page_92">92</a>, <a href="#Page_103">103</a>, <a href="#Page_112">112</a>, <a href="#Page_133">133</a>, <a href="#Page_201">201</a>, <a href="#Page_231">231</a>, <a href="#Page_242">242</a>, <a href="#Page_255">255</a>, <a href="#Page_297">297</a>, <a href="#Page_327">327</a>, <a href="#Page_396">396</a>, <a href="#Page_406">406–409</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— Constantin, <a href="#Page_91">91</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— Demetrius, <a href="#Page_91">91</a>.</li> - -<li class="ifrst">Zaiguelius, the Abbé, <a href="#Page_311">311</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Zamoyska, Comtesse, <a href="#Page_39">39</a>, <a href="#Page_144">144</a>, <a href="#Page_235">235</a>, <a href="#Page_344">344</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Zawadowski, <a href="#Page_222">222</a>, <a href="#Page_294">294</a>, <a href="#Page_296">296</a>, <a href="#Page_301">301</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Zohny, Comte, <a href="#Page_138">138</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Zibin, Colonel, <a href="#Page_19">19</a>, <a href="#Page_20">20</a>, <a href="#Page_90">90</a>, <a href="#Page_285">285</a>, <a href="#Page_296">296</a>, <a href="#Page_298">298</a>, <a href="#Page_402">402</a>, <a href="#Page_404">404</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Zichy, Comte Charles, <a href="#Page_138">138</a>, <a href="#Page_145">145</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— —— François, <a href="#Page_319">319</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— Comtesse Julie, <a href="#Page_94">94</a>, <a href="#Page_120">120</a>, <a href="#Page_137">137</a>, <a href="#Page_138">138</a>, <a href="#Page_143">143</a>, <a href="#Page_149">149</a>, <a href="#Page_264">264</a>, <a href="#Page_318">318</a>, <a href="#Page_326">326</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— —— Sophie, <a href="#Page_164">164</a>, <a href="#Page_231">231</a>, <a href="#Page_319">319</a>.</li> -</ul> -</div></div> - -<p class="p2 center smaller vspace"> -Printed by T. and A. <span class="smcap">Constable</span>, (late) Printers to Her Majesty<br /> -at the Edinburgh University Press -</p> - -<div class="chapter"><div class="transnote"> -<h2 class="nobreak p1"><a id="Transcribers_Notes"></a>Transcriber’s Notes</h2> - -<p>Punctuation, hyphenation, and spelling were made consistent when a predominant -preference was found in this book; otherwise they were not changed. -Accent marks in non-English words were not changed.</p> - -<p>Simple typographical errors were corrected; occasional unbalanced -single and double quotation marks retained unless the correction -was unambiguous.</p> - -<p>Ambiguous hyphens at the ends of lines were retained.</p> - -<p>Index not systematically checked for proper alphabetization or -correct page references; many entries in the Index are spelled -or accented differently than on the pages they reference.</p> - -<p>Page <a href="#Page_118">118</a>: “oppose the fact” was printed as “oppose to fact”; -changed here.</p> -</div></div> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Anecdotal Recollections of the -Congress of Vienna, by Auguste Louis Charles, compte de La Garde-Chambonas - 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