Star.
London, England, 1829-08-04 00:00:00

THE COUNTESS D'ALBANY.

Talking of the accidents, iocidents, and odd conjunctions of tra-
velling, it happened, one fine autumnal morning, at Florence—
(and oh, for the Tuscan autumn ! with Its " Tuscan grapes,"
fresh ol;ves, and autumnal lowan, which give the Tuscan capital
lee pretty name)--k happened that my illousious countryman, Mr.
Wart, my husband, and myself, were seated on a sofa in our old
Oise in the Borge Santa Croce, looking at the cloud-rapt App..
nines, which seemed walking In at the windows,—and talking of
Lord Byron, (from whose villa on the Brenta, Mr. Moore bad just
arrived), when our Italian servant, Pasqua% announced " The
Countess D'Albany." Here was an honour which mope bet a
Florentine could appreciate! (for all personal consequence is so
local)! Madame D'Albany never paid visits to private indiilduals,
sever left her palace on the Arno. except for the English ambassa-
dor's, or the Grand Duke's. I. bad just time to whisper Mr.
Moore, "The widow of the Pretender ! your legitimate Queen !
and the love of your brother poet, Alfieri; " and then came my
turn to present my celebrated compatriot, with all his mush more
durable titles of illustration : so down we all sat, and ' fell to dis-
course." I observe that great people, who have been long before
the public, and feel, or fancy, they belong to posterity, generally
make themselves agreeable to popular writers ; and they are right ;
for what are the suffrages of a titled meet*, which can " bear but
the breath and suppliance of an hour," to the good opinion of Woos
whose privilege it is to confer a distinction, to awaken an interest
that vibrates to the remotest corner of the known world. Kings
may give patents of nobility—genius only confers patents of cele-
brity. One line from an eminent writer will confer a more lasting
dignity, than all the Grand and Archdukes, that ever reigned from
Russia to Florence, can bestow. Madame D'Albany, already
lbegotten as the wife of the last of the Royal Stuarts. will
Ass m long as the language of Dante lasts, in the lines of Alfieri.
Iran Quotes' D'Albany could be the most agreeable woman in
' the wooed ; and, upon the occasion of this nattering visit, she was
so. is could also be the most disagreeable ; for, like must great
ladies, her temper was uncertain ; and her natural hauteur. when
not subillnd by her brilliant bursts of good humour, was occa-
sionally eztremely revolting. Still she loved what is vulgarly called
fun ; end no wit. or sally of humour, could offend her. We had
received very early letters front London, with the account of the
King's death, (George the Third) : I was stepping into the car-
riage, to pay Madame D'Albany a morning visit, when they ar.
rived—and I had them still in my hand, an entering her library on
the

. - •
r, where I fogad her alone, and writing. when

I soddenly exclaimed, with a French theatrical air,
" Grande Princesse, dont les torts tout tta people ifklore,
Je virus sous l'annoncer, rUntrpsteur est azort.. " •
Wiat usurper !" asked Madame d' Albany, a little surprised.
and net a little amused. " Madame, l'Elecentr Al'ilansvre any de
elm!" The esestsaiseplaissysterie was taken in good part ; for.
truth is tell, though the Counts. D' Albany always spoke ist terms
of respect and gratitude of the Royal Family, and felt (or afflicted)
as absolute robin for his present Majesty, whose picture she had,
she was always well pleased that others should consider herdaims
to the rank of• Queen as legitimate, of which she kneel/ enter-
tained no doubts. She, however, affected no respect for a husband,
whom, living, -he had despised for his vices, and bated foe his
cruelty.