Star.
London, England, 1829-08-12 00:00:00

LITERATURE.

You may probably recollect (continued the Countess du Barri)
the mysterious young man who, before my elevation, pursued me
with so much perseverance, in order to announce it to me. You
can hardly believe that the recollection of him was entirely obli-
terated from my memory ; but " Life at Court" is so active, that
ideas of the past are quickly gone, in order to give room for those
of the present moment, and very little is thought of the future.
I thought no more of my prophet—when on returning from my
first voyage to Compiegne, I happened to bear Mass one Sunday
morning in the Chapel at Versailles. All of a sudden, I perceived
from the place where I was, a young man, who was leaning
against the wall behind t►e altar. He examined me with parti-
cular attention : I looked at kim for a moment, and you may easily
imagine what was my 'Uprise. when I recognised in him the very
same personage who had announced to me my fortunate destiny.
A lively blush covered my countenance ; and be witnessed the agi-
tation which seized me. A soft smile brightened in a moment his
handsome face; and he made a sign with his band across his head,
as if to say: " Are you not Qeeen of France?" That sign asto-
nished me; I made a light motion with the head to signify, " You
are right." Immediately after a cloud appeared before my eyes;
and as soon as it was dissipated, I pretended to look elsewhere. I
was observed by so many people, that I was afraid to excite, by
my attention, an indiscreet curiosity; and when, after a short in-
terval, I wished again to have a sight of my young man, be had
disappeared.
I was surprised at his sudden departure, and felt the most mac-
countable anxiety to see my sorcerer. I spoke to Chon about it
in the course of the day ; who, after bearing me with a great deal
of attention, " This-is really," said she, "an extraordinary cir-
cumstance in the history of your life. Why do you not relate the
fact to M. de Sartines?" " Because it appears to me useless to
torment an individual of whom I have no reason to complain, by
placing him in contact with the police: I should dread to be punished
were Ito act in a similar way. On the other hand, I would give
a great deal of motley if I *could once more see this soothsayer."
T►e conversation dropped here ; but my sister-in-law, impelled
by a species of curiosity which she could not suppress, wrote, with-
out my knowledge, to the Minister of Police, requesdng that he
would make the most diligent inquiry on the subject. M. de Sar-
tines, most happy in having an opportunity to give me and my
friends a proof of his dexterity, put all his engines in motion. In
the meantime I received a letter sealed with five black seals, hav-
ing the impression of adead head. I thought at first it contained the
announcement of some deceased person, and I found the purport of
it as lugubrious as extraordinary. The following were the contents:
" Madame la Comtesse,

" You are not aware that I am persecuted in your name, and
that the instruments of justice will neglect nothing to find out my
place of residence. and to know who I am. My place of residence
indeed ! Let nobody wish to meet me there ; for on the day that
any one attempts to come there, it can only be with a view never
to return. Who I am? to ascertain this fact, will be instant
death to any one. I invite you to give directions to the Minister
of polite, AI. de Sartines, to cease all pursuit without an object ;
it will be useless, and can only compromise your happiness. I
have predicted your great fortune : I have not deceived myself :
have announced to you reverses ; I do not deceive myself either.
You svill'see me twice again ; and if, by chance, I appear before
you a third time, bid then adieu to all living."
My fright was excessive in reading this letter; I called my
sister-in-law, and I complained bitterly at the step which had been
taken against my will. Chop was equally terrified ; she acknow-
ledged having applied to Al. de Sardues ; but at the same time she
was the first to declare that it was absolutely necessary to give up
all further inquiry which, some way or another, might lead to the
most fatal consequences. I wrote myself to the Minist•r of Police,
I tlVanked him for his vigilance, and told him that my sister-in-law
and myself having learnt all that we wished to know from the
,mouth of the stranger, all farther pursuit was unneceseary, as
dieing both disagreeable to him and displeasing to me. "AL de
Sartines acceded immediately ; and front that period until the
death of the Bing, I heard nothing more of this very singular
personage.—Me maim de Madame to Confuse de Itarri.

Friday last Earl GIRT • and Lord How mi.: passed
through Newcastle, for the Perdu
• CitEt.TENIIA , Anti. 10. All hopes of Colonel
Bestater's again performing at oar Theatre are we believe at an
end, at least for the present, be having declared himself to that
erect to the proprietor.—The Duke of Guinean's rode over a
Mr days age to see the new Pump-room at Pittville, with which
he expressed himself nitielt"tileased, as also with the grounds
plantations around. His Royal 'Higlinets proposes leaving Chel-
tenham on Wednesday.—The Duke of Mauna:se arrived here
last Friday—upon the evening of which day, as well as on Gator-
day, we observed his Grace mingling with the throng of fashiona- 1
bits who honour the Mudeal Promenades atthe Montpellier with
their preience.--Joun Fuses, Esq. M.P. and one of the Bank
Directors', has just arrived, and was on the Montpellier-walks yes-
terday and this morning, in company with the Duke of Gtou-
eursa. Among the number of our recent arrivals are—His
Grace the Mike of Manchester, Lord Henke, Lord and Lady
Portmore, Lady Tynte, Sir Gordon Drummond, Hon. Mrs.
Ramsay, .1. Pearce, Req. M.P. Sir C. Saxtdn, Sir L. Glynn,
General Cape!, Major-General Taylor; Colonels Leggett, Mauls,
Graham, Harnett, ice. ice. ice.
BRIGHTON, AUG. 10.—The Duchess of ARGYLL
and Lady Gxoneuna Pansy left the Royal York Hotel, and re-
turned, to Goodwood yesterday, at which place the Duke and
Duchies of Ittcnstomn had arrived. from this place, on the preced-
ing Thursday. The Earl of Mom:ammo and family have taken
possession of Byham-bouse, where they purpose continuing some
weeks, and during the unexpired term for which the mansion had
been engaged by Mr. F. Wires, who, with his family, have left us,
to rusticate at Tonbridge Wills. Lord and Lady BAIULti have
vacated their Marine Parade residence, and returned to town.—
Sir jE. and
.family are in the departure list. The
Marquis and Marchioness of WOPICIMIL, and, Lord Sumo-
suer, to join the assembled gay party at the seat of the Duke
and Duchess. of Iticuatoso, left the Albion for Goodwood, this
morning. Lord and Lady Anson have left the Marine Hotel, on
a visit to the Sid and Countess of Buns; at Cowes, in the Isle
of Wight. Lord and Lady Painters are prolonging their stay in
the Royal Crescent. Lady T. Smatter and daighters yachted.
their suit pf apartments at the Albion, and returned to their seat,
Field-place, near • Horsham, on Saturday. Mr. and the Hon. hies.
Pirasuonie have kit the Marine Hotel, for the seat of Mr.
Brous:, Crabbets, near. Crawley. Sir R. Pant hip left; Major
Tampa, from Spring Park, Croydon, is arrived, and has become
the occupant of No. 35, Marine Parade.
The Chief Commissioner of Woods and FOrests most
laudably-condones to let the various plots of ground in-the neigh.
bourbood dike Strand and Exeter Change, by tender to the highest
bidder, provided he be n substantial person. Had former Chief
Commissiooets acted upon Lord Lowdma's system, what an im-
mense revenue would by this time have been in existence under
the denomination of Crown Lands!
HOA X.—A gentleman, eminent for scholastic disci-
pline and literary attainments, received a few days ago the honorary
diploma of LL.D. from the' University of Oxford, to all appear-
ance properly signed and sealed. After having returned tbaaks
for the honour the University had conferred upon him, and having
purchased a Doctor's cap, he was much chagrined to team, by an
answer to his lettet of thanks from the University, that they had,
not the honour of knowing the gentleman even by name.—H.ro'o
Chronick.
Numerous workmen have within the last few days
been busily engaged in finishing and beautifying the building in the
Stable-yard belonging to, the Marquis of S.:arrows, commonly
called York House. Most of the rooms, which were, very plain,
contain beautiful pictures and portraits, framed in the most splendid
manner. It is consequently rumoured again that the place will
be dedicated to a collection of pictures after the Frenckmode.
INSTINCT OF SPlDnis.—The following fact is copied
neat a French work entitled drehisies war Assateasie : " A small
spider bad spread its net between two neighbouring trees, at the
height of about nine feet. The three prindpal points, to which
die supporting threads were attached, formed Isere, u they usually.,
do,.an equilateral triangle. One thread was attached above to soh
of the trees, end the Welikung from the middle of it. Telmer',
a third point of attachment, the spider had amended* small stains
to hoe end of a thread; and the stone being heavier than the spMae
kulf, served in place of the lower fixed point. and held the Med
extended. The Mk pebble Wis.five feet from the earth." The
=was:thrived, and Is described by Professor Weber, of

5.:.?