The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1826-08-09
SsasctItaNp.
Lrrom the New Y orK otaresman.I
LETTERS FROM EUROPE.
No. LYYIX.

| NO. L1HlA.
From tie American Minister, and his
family, wi received a liberal share Of
their char cteristic hospitality, urbanity
and &indnes, manifested on all occasions
to citizensof the United States. With a
palace for his residence, fortune at
his comm nd, and lady for his part
ner, VIII Be accomplishments pecu-
liarly qualify her for the sphere of So
cial and tshionable life, our Ambassa-
dor is enabled to show those attentions
TO his contrymen, as well as TO the ex-
tensive circle of his friends abroad,
which ONE of his predecessors could
either ut afford, OF had not the DISPOSE.
lion TO manifest. His expenses proba-
bly, exceed twice the amount of his sal
airy. H, liye7 in one of the most spleD-
did house in Paris, the rent of which is
something like $4,000 year. |. was
formerlyoccupied by the Danish Minis
ter. Its ntrance is by spacious court,
and on The other side is Il beautiful gar
den. witha promenade planted with or
namental trees, containing an area OF
SIX or eight acres.
The suite of apartments are not sur
passed ether in extent or elegance OF
furniture by the chambers of the king
himself and the STYLE of his table ex-
ceeds in taste, as well as in splendor,
any thingof the kind, which has fallen
within IKE sphere of my observation.
Plate OF lie richest descriptions, brilliant
chandelies, and pyramids of flowers,
almost mike the guest forget, that he Is
at the fe;tiye board of plain, substan'
fiai citizen of the United States, who is
ultra republican in his sentiments: and
devote1ly attached TO the institutions OF
hi, county. ! do not myself lay much
stress upon this display of style; but at
a French Court, where every thing is
done for SOW, it is in some degree rem
dered necessary, and procures greater
weight Of Influence than would the phi
losophy If a Franklin, the elaborate
scholarship of al Adams, or the financial
talents o. a GaIlatin. Both the. minis
ter and lis lady have been familiar with
the language, manners and customs, Of
France or many years; and my opinion
now is the same as it was publicly exs
pressed a the time the appointment was
made, thai the embassy could not posi-,
bly, be bdter filled.
As hive had an opportunity of wit
Messing perfect specimen of Partisan
style andfashion, it may be pardonable
so far TO violate the privacy of the So
cial circl., as to dwell for a moment OF
: the etiq,ette of a dinner. The hour
of dining is about o'clock. All the
guests e1ler the drawing-room, wearing
their halls and gloves. During the
greater pat of our visit, black has beer
necessary, IS badge Of mourning fol
, The Emperor Alexander. At the dooI
of the apartment, the name OF eacf
person is announced by the servant, nnt
he receives 10 other introduction TO any
of the company. In going TO the table
there IS no brmal allotment of places
no sill thou here, and sit thou there--bu
: each one INST look out for himself, ant
for the lady Of his charge. The French
although fond of good living, make
business instead Of pleasure of eating
and the great object is TO get through a
Soen as possible. An hour and halt q
/ the longest time occupied in fashiona
: ole dinner, during which the guest tasie
a perhaps of thirty different kinds OF food
: and as MANY varieties of wine. A sue
tession of dishes is constantly circulated
~ train of waters, and each person
even the ladies, help themselves TO wha
f IS presented ready carved at their side
t Another train of servants bear round al
r sorts of wine, naming them as they pass
, There is no drinking OF healths--n'
loud talk across the tabIe--and none o
that noisy festvity, observable at al
English or American dinner. Eaci
guest converses in low tone OF volc'
to the persons who happen to SIT mex
10 him. A Partisan would think It ex
Teinely rude 10 attract the attention
the table, or to disturb the almost wins
pered colloquies of others. Ladies an
gentlemen retire from the table to thu
drawing-room at the same time wher'
coffee is served up, and in the conrse {,
the evening dish of tea sometimes iol
lows. No Refreshments are subsequent
ly sent round as with US; and nav
passed FIVE or elk hours in iashIouaDi