The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1825-09-14
THE YELLOW DOMINO.

ih the 'attef part OF the reign oil LOU
Is XIV. of France, masquerade entertain
ments were in high estimation, and pub
lie ones we're often given at immense
cost, on court days, and such occasions
OF rejoicings. As persons of all ranks
might gain admission to these last spec
tacles, provided they could afford the
purchase Of the ticket, very strange
rencontres frequently took place at them,
and exhibitions almost as curious, in the
way of disguise, or assumption of char
acter. But perhaps the most whimsical,
among the genuine surprises recorded
at any of these spectacles, was that
which occurred in Paris, the 18th of
October, on the day when the Dauphin
son of Louis XIV. J attained the age of
one and twenty.
| AT this fete, which was of peculiar
| ly glittering characterize much so,
that the details of it are given al great
length by the historians of The day--the
strange demeanor Of man in yellow
domino, early in the evening, excited
attention. This mask, who showed
nothing remarkable as 10 figure--though
rather tall, and of robust proportion
seemed to be gifted with an appetite, not
merely past human conception but pas
sing the fanCies even of romance.
The dragon of old, who churches ate,
HE used to come on Sunday,)
Whole congregations were to him
But dish of Salmagundi,'-
he was but nibbler--a mere diddIer-.
TO this stranger Of The yellow domino.
lie passed from chamber TO chamber
from table TO table of efreshments--Dot
tasting but Observation-Disclosures
before him. At one board be Dispatch
ed fowl. two thirds of a ham, and half
dozen bottles Of earnpaigne; and, the
very next momont, he was found seated
in another apartment performing the
same feat, with a stomach better than at
first. This strange course went on, IN
til the company (who at first had been
amused by iD became alarmed and tu-
multuous.
Is ii the same mask--or are there
several dressed alike p demanded an
officer OF guards, as the yellow domino
rose from seat opposite to him, and
Quilted the apartment.
] have seen but one, and, by Heaven,
here ne is again = exclaimed the party to
whom this query was addressed.
The yellow domino spoke not a word
but proceeded straight to the vacant
seat which he had just left, and again
commenced suppiDg, as though he had
tasted for the half of a campaign.
At length the confusion which this
proceeding creates, becomes universal;
and the cause reaches the ear of the
Dau7hin.
He is the very devil, your High
ness! exclaimed an old nobleman---
| Saving your Highness's royal presence)
- or wants but tail, to be SO ?
! Say, rather, he should be some FAM
ished poet, by his appetite, replied the
prince, laughing. But there must be
some juggling he spills all his wine,
and hides the provisions under his
J robe
Even while they speak, the yellow
domino enters the room in which they
are talking; and, as usual, proceeds TO
the table of refreshments.
See here, my lord = cried one T
have seen him do this thrice 2
i Il, twice !'-s /, FIVE times % And /.
: fifteen
i This becomes too much. The mas
ter of the ceremonies is questioned. He
knows nothing and the yellow domino
is interrupted as he is carrying bumper
Of claret TO his lips.
The Princes desire is, that Monsieur
. who wears the yellow domino should
unmask. The stranger hesitated.
| The command with which his High
ness hOnours Monsieur, is perfectly abb
solute.'
Against that which is absolute, there
is no contending. The yellow man
throws off bis mask and domino; and it
is a private trooper Of The Irish drag
oons ?
| And in the name of gluttony, my
good friend (not TO ask how you gained
admiss;on,) how have you contrived,'
said the Prince, TO sup TO night so many
timesr
| Sire, | was but beginning TO sup
with reverence be il said; when your
royal message interrupted me-
u Beginning ? exclaimed the Dauphin
in amazement; 'ihen what is il | have
heard and scent where are the herds
of oxen that have disappeared, and the
hampers of Burgundy? insist upon
Ln0 .yiner hon, ft,,e q ~