Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-04-06
From q LOnGLOn Pnncr.

The Yello,o DOmno.-As masqucradcs appear
to he the order of the day among us lust now the
following anccdotc, connected with one of these
sPcctaclcs, as exhibited i'll the time of Louis XIV
ut Paris, may amusc the amateurs of the mask and
domino. In the latter part of his reign, we arc
told see "Rcpublic of Lcttcrs"1 that the masuue
radc was an entertainment in high estimation in
France and was often given at an immense cost on
Court days, and occasions Of public rcjoicing As
persons of all ranks might gain admission to these
spcctaclcs, provided they could afford the purchase
OF the ticket, strange rcncontrcs not unfrcqucnt
y took place, together with no less singular ey
hlbitions OF assumed character. The most whim
steal, among the genuine surprises recorded at
these spcctaclcs, was that which is said to have
occurred i'll Paris on the day when the Dauphn
son of Louis XIV, attained the age of one and TWEEN
ty. At this fetc, which is described as havnp
been of II singularly brilliant character, the strange
dcmeanour OF man in a yellow domino, excited
ut an early part of the evening" the attention of
the whole assembly. This Mask, which was not
remarkable as to figure, though rather tall and of
robust proportion, seemed to be gifted with an APP
petite which laughed to scorn that of
The dragon of old, who churches ate,
(lic used TO come on Sunday
Whole congregations to him
Bat dish of Salamagundi!
He passed from chamber to chambcr-from table
to table--not tasting, merely but dcvouring, dc
vastatng every thing that came in his way. AT
one board he despatched fowl, two thirds of a
nam, and half a dozen bottles of champagne; and
ut the very next moment he would be found seated
at another table, performing the same fctc with an
appetite which seemed literally to grow by that it
led on Ihc company, from having been at first only
amused at this extraordinary instance of vorac ous-
ness, became at length alarmed, when The ensuing
dialogue arose. SIS ii the same mask or are there
several dresses alikcP demanded an officer of the
guards, as the yellow Domino arose from a scat
opposite to him. and quilted the apartment. Il
have seen but onc-and 10! he is here again. OK
claimed the party to whom the question had been
| no mol r1l,l1n I,,.
proceeded to the vacant seat he hac lust left and
again commenced supping, though he had
tasted for the last eight and forty hours. The
confusion having now become universal, the cause
reached the of the Dauphin. He is a very
hend,' exclaimed an old nobcman, cor wants but a
tan to be So a furnished poet, rather, Judging
from his appearance replied the prince laughing;
put thcrc must be some Juggling; he spills all his
WINE, and hides the provision under his robe =
Even while they were speaking, the yellow Domi-
no entered the room, and proceeded as usual TO
the table of refreshments. See here, my Lord
cried one, Il have seen him do this twiccn Il
thrice" Il five times! 'And | fiftccnn This
was too much. The master of the ceremonies was
now questioned He knew absolutely nothing,
and the yellow Domino accosted as he was
carrying glass of claret to his lips. The Prince
desires that Monsieur who wears the yellow Do
mlno, should unmask.' The Domino hcsitatcd-
The command with which his Hghncss honors
Monsieur, is perfectly absolute Against that
which Is absolute there is contcndng; the Do
mlno, accordingly unmaSkcd, and proved to be a
private trooper Of the Irish Dragons! 'And in
the name of guttony, my good friend mot to ask
now you gained your admsson) how have YOU
contrIvcd,' said the Prince, sto sup tonight so
many tlmesP Sire, was but beginning TO sup,
when your Royal mandate reached me. Begin
ming! exclaimed the Dauphin, then what is it
that have both heard and seen? where are the
herds of oxen that have disappeared, and the
hampers of Burgundyn Il insist upon knowing
how this tsp Thus it is Sire returned the Sol.
der, the troop to which | belong, is to-day on
! guard. We purchased one ticket among us, and
provided this yellow Domino, which fits us all
by TINS means, with reverence be it said, the whole
OF the front rank, being myself the last man. have
supPcd, If the truth must be told, at discretion,
and the leader of the second rank, saving your
iilghncss command, is now waiting out side of the
door, TO take his turn.