Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1819-02-13


determination regarding t!is peniing ne
gociations on the subject OF the alliance.
lie arrived late this evening, therefore his
Ministers had Instructions to wait upon him
Immediately. You express surprise, in
Speaking of the reviews, al the rapidiy OF
his motions and the almost ubiquity ofhi'
presence those who have more mn.e-
diate access to him, who consult him on the
affairs of office, and who thus become ac-
quainted with his habits, are still more snr-
prised al the unceasing activity ofhis mind,
his unweariel application to the duties OF
his high station, and his amazing dis
patch of business. He is not Only his Cwn
prime Minister, and Minister for Foreign
Affairs, but his own Mlnisterof the Interior,
| of Police, and of Finance. The most tr
| fling details, as we'll at the most important
projects of negotiations, are laid before
him, and receive their due share OF Consi-
deration. Pleasure or amusement are ne
yer allowed for moment to interfere with
the calls of duty or the exigencies of bust
ness. He gives orders to admit every one
into his presence who has any petition to
offer, or any useful plan TO propose and
the rapidity with which Le conceive'! its
objects, or decides upon lis merits,is equal
led only by the spirit and Willingness with
which he enters On its examination. When
Mr.. Clarkson saw him in Paris, in 1914, OH
his return from England, snd though he
had only twenty -four hours to spend in
that capital, he devoted two of them &c an
audience on The details Of the slave trade
question and know. from good au,ho-
rity, that amid the multiplicity Of bis bu-
siness here, he had thoroughly read and
consider d Mr.. Ovens memorial, and
would have heard his explanations, had he
seen any thing feasible in his pan, or even
any thing not dangerous in his doctrines.
He rises every morning at six o'clock, AMI
often does not 20 to bed till two. When
| he finds that he cannot enjoy even this
shor, period of regular repose, he refresh.
es himself by short sleep Of an hour, or
an hour, during the day, in his chair, as he
can tinl opportunity, by power which he
has acquired of using any moment Of lei
sure he chooses for such rcfreshment-a
power which, perhaps, shews his command
over bis time, and the eral tranquility
as well as actvity of hi, mind. His morning
devolioas are never omitted, whatever o.
| ther duties he. has to PERFORM habit
which is common 10 him with the rest of
his family nor is he less attentive 10 the
little forms and refined civilitieS of life than
they constituted It's more serious employ
ment. So punctual is he in this respect,
that those who had no nearer views Of his
character would suppose that he compri.
sed the whole business of sovereign in
doi"g popular things, and showing refined
attentions. The aneedote regarding his
! first visit to the Duke of Wellington, on
coming here, you will not have forgotten.
/ On the Sunday after his arrival he appear
ed in four changes Of dress, in compliment
| 10 those whom he WAS to see he transacted
business in his usual b ,bt in the morning;
he waited afterwards ON the King of Prussia
in Inc uniform CT the Prussian guards he
waited on the Emperor Francis, in that of
! Austria; and he was dressed again in
| Prussian uniform, at the ball given by the
city in the evening. The Liege papers
celebrate some of the popular things which
he did on his way TO the review; and thave
10 doubt the French Journals will echo
their praises, by reciting similar acts OF
popularity in France.
This episode on the personal activity and
popular manners Of tine Emperor Alexander
may he thought at first sight minute and i'll
placed but if will cease to appear so,
when we reflect on the great influence
which, Joined with his military success,
they have already had on the world, aud
consider how much the individual charac-
ter of Monarch under an absolute govern
ment moulds the conduct of his people, and
controls the policy Of his empire. On the
views and policy of Alexander depends in
great degree, at present, the measures
which shall bcpursued towards France, and
consequently the future stability of the Eu-
ropean Confederation.
The same writer. under date Of Noyem-
| l, observes