The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1815-04-29

cooks and confectioners (for his Hehness was
very dainty.) He at last took fancy to visit
that asylum OF our brave soldiers, the Hotel
des lnwaiidcs; notwithstanding the simplicity
OF his dress (he wore a green riding coat
which called 90 mind the old blue dress of
Frederck) notwithstanding the meanncss of
his retinue which was composed of single
servant Che disliked pomp) the nephew of
Alexander received from the Staff of the in
valides a reception due to his rank and to the
name of his uncle
He viewed the dome and all the curiosj-
ties WHICH the establishment presents he at
forwards descended TO the refectory, drank
the health of the Invalides, who returncd the
compliment by that of the Emperor of Rus
STA; he took a decoration from his button
hole, and presented it to an officer, who hesi-
tated to accept it; but the Prince insisted, &
the officer of course complied.
Another officer drew silver snuff box from
his pocket ; the Prince requested pinch,
ah'i the box was presented to him.
should ike" said he, to possess some
memorial of a brave man like you al
low me to replace this box by a snuff
box OF gold :" and on this condition he put
the snuff DoS into his pocket, leaving the 6raye
man almost Supplied by his excessive condes-
cention. wish, continued he, address
ing himself to the General :" to leave
with these respectable warriors some marks
OF my liberality.'' They are expressly for
hidden to receive any thing" But, by the
bye, want to make some purchases, and
have nothing about me but Russian bills, can
you inform me where can get them chang
ed - cannot tell" replied the Gene
ra' who fastened to give him his purse and
II was accepted, although it contained but
: twenty pieces of gold. 1t will be readily
presumed that this was the only visit made
IN t,e
punishment of these tricks belonged only to the
tribunal OF correctional police /; but when he
made excursions out of Paris, he then BECAME
under the jurisdiction of the Court of Asszes.
After remaining some time at Mendon, where
he lived well and kept open table at the ex-
pense of an inn keeper, he. wished to see
what he could do at Versailles. On the road,
he addressed French officer, who placed
but little confidence either in his discourse or
ms titles but on entering Versailles, he per-
ceived an old man wearing two Orders he
descended frc::: his hoTssc and requested 10
be informed what those decorations we're
The Orders of St. Lazarus and St, Louis''
-" | am oyerjoyed," he exclaimed, d" to
see an old servant of the King of France -
and Immediately related his romance, which
was listened to and credited by M. BeImare
de Saint Cyr, with simplicity which his
subsequent conduct did not belle He inSited
the Prince to dine with him, who drew ano-
Their blue riband from his button hole, Joined
1t with the two cordons with which his host
was already adorned, and solemnly declared
that he had created him Grand Commander
OF the Order of M llta.
The honor of receiving a Prince and ri
band must certainly have strangely disturbed
the memory OF the Chevaler de BeImare, so
as to prevent him from recollecting thai the
Gordon OF Malta is black, and that there il 10
such dignity as Grand Commander in that
Order.
NJ. de BeisHare had indeed nearly become
the innocent acC0mplice of rogue, of whom
he was but the victim. Madame de Belmare,
who, or the promise of the young Prince,
was already preparing for ajourney to Paris,
where she was to be presented to the En-
peror of Russia, offered, with many apologies
for the smallness of the loan, purse contain
ing 100 francs to the illustrious stranger who
never had any money about. him except Rus
sian paper. The husband introduced him to
a Matchmaker, taking great merit TO him
self with his friend for the customer he had
brought him. Our Gusman de Aliarche chose
watch and chain Of the value of 500 francs.
told the matchmaker to come to him for his
money next day at Mendon, of which ne was
the Governor, advised him to bring with him
Other watches, the sale of which ne would
procure for him, and promised % employ
him in repairing the clocks of the castle
1t was in the shop Of the matchmaker that
he wrote out certificate of the nomination
of NJ. de Belmare to a Grand Commander
ship.
In the evening he went TO a coffee-house
with the newly-made commander, * chance
brought there also the matchmaker and the
srehticai French officer whom he had fallen
in with in the morning. The matchmaker ha-
wing received hint from the officer, reuues-
ted and obtained of the purchaser of his
watch two minutes conversation, in which ne
informed him he must have either his money
or his property. The adVeDturer thus close
" pressed. restored the watch, begging that
the secret mights Ice preserved. he rushed
out OF the COffeF-house, mounted his horse. &
galloped towards Paris while the officer pur-
sued him on the road to Mendon, where he
found grand festival prepared and great
company assembled. Nothing was wanting
bot the presence of the Prince.
Some days after (on the I'd of May) this ex-
petition, whicg, though more perilous than
profitable, had not discouraged the CO.
lonel of Cossacks he went to Saint
Maur, and inquired for the Mayor, who
was absent the Mayor Of the neighboring
Commune (Pont- Saint. Louis) was sent for
the Colonel informed him the Emperor of
Russia wot;ld arrive at St. Maur at 10 o'clock
u the evening with 500 cavalry of his guard
---he requested the necessary provisions and
e. :. Il, -.