Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1830-09-17
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FRIDAY. MOkNINes, SEPTEMBER II, 1870.
Memoirs Of u Peer Of France.-Erom this work
which appeared at Paris 1899, and OF which we
hear Tor the first time through the Southern Review
OF August, which pronounces very favorable opin-
ION OF 1t, we are induced to make some extracts
every thing French being at this time in favor with
the public, and the sketches accompanying POSSESS
ing peculiar merit We may be permitted to ex
press our surprze and regret at The dlatory and uu
certain step with which French works of the most
distinguished merit, reach this part of tho world
We do not speak of works of scence-,hat is not 80
much to be wondered at-but works of his ory and
biography, intimately connected with our own are.
and desirable to every reader. OF such works the
last few years have been most fruitful, the verv
names OF many OF which, are unknown to persons
who would eagerly become purchasers. We recon-
mend these hints to the Richmond and Northern
booksellers We proceed 18th the extracts.
The Peer OF France familiar with the most
distinguished personages who figured Immediately
before, and during the Revolution He sketcbes
most of these with the utmost vivacity and apparent
fidelity.
Poftoire-He is introduced to Vollaire by his nm
cle when after thirty years retirement at Fernev he
revisited Paris to be worshipped-andt to die.
Imagine my disappointment, when found myself
facing, not man, but rather skeleton, with its
bones barely covered with black and wrnkled
skin. His face was horribly meagre his mouth seem
ed CLEFT to the ears; he had teeth and Sardonio
grin dwell perpetuay on his pale and thin lps his
eyes shot Hames l have retained to this hosr the
extraordinary impression they produced on me- thew
were two diamonds two. resplendent carbuncles: he
had also IN those eyes, genius. w.t. lice obserya-
tion-the more you examined them, the more evident
1T appeared they could only belong to one elevated
he
1.-The Patriarch of Ferney seemed bent his arn,s
were long and meogre--his hands palc--his fingers
oony-hls small head was covered witW huge WIG
almost after the fashion of Louis XIV on which he
had a cap of black velvet fastened by a red ribbon
he wore breaches of red velvet garnlshed with gold
lace; red silk stockings rolled over the knee and
square oed shoes with diamond buckes--he had q
vest of gold brocade vevet coat like the breaches
and over all agnicent rose coIored robe de cham,
bre lined with white fur which had been g,yep him
by the empress of Russia; he whole certainly FORM
ed most whimsical costume, bat it was not unbe-
coming NJ. de VOltare-one would have been almost
sorry to find him like other people; ii was necessary
that even his exterior should distinguish him from
others.
81 hung back behind my uncle, hardly daring to
advance, and more curious examine the great man.
than deslrous to speak to him-my great oppression
was lest he should address | was wrapped in
most respectful admiration, when my uncle, taking
me by the hand presented me according to rule.
Volalre praised my figure, and inquired where vas
IN my studies? Il am in Rhetoric said l. trembling
as we'll as blushing;-he perceived IT. and ASSUMING
pleasant air, said, Il mako you afadi' No sir but
you animate me; This word appeared TO hatter
him. He resumed-'they only make YOU acquainted
| presume, with Greek Latin 'authors" we learn
by heart the choicest of the modern fine peni-
asses, Racine, Cornelle, and Voltare added l. siam
merng Y our nephew is very gentee Young man.
sa he, with air of content, which attributed to
my little ftattcry. Other visiters arrived, and we
took our leave, my uncle quite pulled up with his ne
phe%; and very much satisfied with the interview
"Marmontel was the first [ emarked at nv I'm
cie's, and he was also the first to dspease me: be
had dry sharp tone of voce-ne mistook ieernp for
VIII, and had the ridiculous afFectaton of CRYING down
the hne geniuses of the age of Louis XIV; he with
out doubt hoped If he could dethrone them he might
usurp their places this calculation faed for IN spite
OF all the Marmontels past, present. and come the
homage due to Boleau and Racine, will never cease,
whilst the author of the Tales designated as moral
begins to fall into the deep oblivion which the last
edition of his works has been plunged"
The Peer draws La Harpe, as set-of in his
peculiarly to Marmontel.
"A more favorable opinion of him fMarnonten
was entertained IN 1884 He, with La Harpe occu-
pied the first rank literature; but La Harpe did
no like him. and the compliment was returned Oh
what excellent parsonage was this little Monsieur
de La Harpe! Eaten up with envy, enraged will all
his contemporaries he followed different route
from Marmon;el. altho at bottom, he held the same
opinions he had undertaken the task of exalting tho
dead beyond measure i'm order To deDreciate the
merit OF The living To be entitled to his esteem,
1t was necessary to be duly and faithfully buried: his
euloges were but funeral orations; his satres were
constantly addressed to those whose rivalry be feared
by only glarng at him, you would discover that the
consciousness of his merit was suffocatina him.
vanity eXuded from all his pores; he though, himself
greata genius the dulest could observe this imitation
of sc-love, and you could not help repeating to your
self when you had La Harpe before you the epigram
Of LIE Brun, at once so just and so malignant
''Si youlcz fairc au pluot
Unc fortune immense, ct Peunsnt legtimc
Vous devez acheer La Harpe &C uu'il yau,
r, lie vendre quill s'estme.
Phis writer, though destitute of imagination and
scnsblity. did not however want taste, and he held
the scepre of criticism; in the Mercure, he dissected
best established regulations. which his scalpe
always made gashes, less deep; be
granted favor TO no one. He is, said the Able De-
lille, what have found out late to my sorrow
cross dog that is constantly biting, and would still
bite when he no longer has teeth! La Unrpe was