Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1833-07-04
lfrom the New York Niirror.l
FiRSTlMPRESsIONS OF EUROPE.

me grand chamberlaia-Pr n,
Ligae--tse Austrian ambassador
ne Marquis Iorrigiaai-Leopod Of
! 1ascdny-riers Of the ValdArno-
splendid hatt--trees of candles-4th,
duke and duchess-high-6orn Italian
and English beauties, etc etc.
was presented to the grand duke
OF Tuscany yesterday morning, at d
private audience. As we have no min
ister at this court, | drove along to the
ducal palace, and, passing through the
body-guard of young mobiles, was met
at the door Of the ante chamber bv the
Marquis Corsi, the grand chamberlain.
Around a blazing fire, in this room.
stood five or six persons, in splendid
uniforms, to whom | was introduced on
entering. One was the Prince de Ligne.
travelling at present in Italy, and wait.
ing to be presented by the Austrian
Amoassador--a young and remarka.
bly, handsome man Of twenty-five. He
showed n knowledge of America, in
the course of u half hours converse,
ton, which rather surprised me, maui.
ring particularly about the residences
and condition of the United States min
listers whom he had met at the various
courts of Europe. The Austrian am
bassador, an old, wily-looking man,
covered with orders, Joined in the con.
Versaton, and asked after our former
minister at Paris, Mr.. Brown, remark.
ing that he had done the United States
great credit, during his embassy. He
mad known Mr.. Gallatin also, and spoke
highly of him. Mr.. Van Buren's cleo.
ton to the vice-presidency, after his
recall seemed greatly to surprise him
The prince was summoned to the
presence of the duke, and | remained
some fifteen minutes in conversation
with q venerable and noble looking
man, the Marquis Torrlgiani, one Of
the chamberlains. His eldest son has
lately gone upon his travels in the Uni.
ted States, in company with Mr. Thorn,
an American gentleman living in Flo
renee. He seemed to think the yoy.
age a great undertaking. Torrieiani
IS one of the Oldest of the Florentine
mobiles, and his family in high esteem
AS the Austrian minister came out,
the grand chamberlain came for me.
and entered the presence of the duke.
lie was standing quite alone in a small
plain room, dressed in a simple White
uniform, with a star upon his breast
slender, pale, scholarlixe looking,
young man, of perhaps thirtyayears.
lie received me with a pleasant smile.
and crossing his hands behind him,
came close to me and commenced qucs.
tlonlng me about America. The de.
parture of young Torrigiani for the
United States pleased him, and he said
ne should like to go himself: "but,"
said he, "a voyage Of three thousand
miles and back--comnaeat faire" and
he threw, out his hands with q look of
mock despair that was very expressive.
lie assured me he felt great pleasure
at Mr.. Thorn's having taken up his
residence in Florence. He had sent
for his whole family a few days before,
and promised them every attention to
their comfort during the absence of Mr.
Thorn. He said young Torrigiani was
bten instruit, and would travel to advan-
tage, without doubt. At every pause
OF his inquiries, he looked me full in
the eyes, ana seemed anxious to Weld
me the parole and listen. He bowed
with smile, after | had been with him
perhaps half an hour, and | took my
leave with all the impressions of his
character which common report had
given me, quite confirmed. He is said
to be the best monarch in Europe, and
It IS written most expressively in his
mild, amiable features.
The duke rs very unwilling TO mar
ny again, although the crown passes
from his family if he dies without a
male heir. He has two daughters, love.
ly children, between FIVE and seven,
whose mother died not quite a year
since. She was unusually beloved,
both by her husband and his subjects,
and is still talked of by the people; and
never without the deepest regret. She
was very religious, and is said TO have
died of cold taken in doing a severe
penance. The duke watched with her
day and night, till she died; and | was
told by be old chamberlain, that he
cannot yet speak of her without tears.
With the new-year, the grand duke
of Tuscany threw off his mourning.
Not from his countenance, for the sad
ness of that is habitual; but his equip
| ages have laid off their black trap
pings, his grooms and outriders are in
drab and gold, and, more important to
US strangers in his capital, the ducal