Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-04-15

y
Belgium
Having a letter of introduction from an Al
tache of the Belgian Embassy at Paris to an offi
Ger of the Household IN Brussels, | availed my
self of the opportunity it gave me Of inspecting
the Royal Palace. Leopold and his Queen were
at Laeven. and the private apartments were
omen TO nv curiosity. The palace remains In the
same condition as when saw 1t last ION the mar.
rage of the Prince of o ange) dull and heavy in
its style: the only difference in the state cham
Der, is, that the cypher OF the present monarch
is every where substituted for that Of William;
but as all royal residences are much alike, and
the Palace at Brussels presents nothing partcu.
lar except its tapestry. shall proceed at once TO
the apartments oil the Queen.
The Reception room oRens from the grand stair
case. and was formerly called the gobrlin draw
ing room Its appearance is as much changed as
the name; instead of walls covered with the won
ders Of the loom, they are now hung with blue
silk, nuted from deep silver cornicr. which pro.
duces a chaste but elegant effect; the couches
and chairs are of embossed velvet OF the same CO.
Ior, framed in silver and blue. en- suite Be-
tween the windows are three rich mosaic tables
one OF them Victory in her car executed for
Napoleon, and now in the Louvre.
la recesses on each side of the entrance to the
apartment are two magnificent cabinets, one OF
ivory, the other Of tortoise, shell, richly inaid,
and evidently antiques; the first bears. IN seve-
raj parts Of the workmanship, the arms OF the
| elder Bourhons. Both cabinets are surmounted
nv bust-one Of Lnuis Philippe, the other of
Leopold. Under glasses are several models;
two Of them, the Hotel de Vile in Brussels and
the Tuilleries, are in dead silver. The effect Is
most exquisite They were presents, the attend
ant informed me, from her Maj, sty's brothers.
OH their first visit tn Belgium after her marriage
One object in this splendid apartment certainly
did covet: a chess. table, the squares composed
of alternate pieces OF lazel lazul and white cor
nelian, set in massive frame OF carved ebony;
the men ready drawn for battle were upon the
table; the1 were Indian, and enriched with gold
and small diamonds, but defended from The vu-
gar touch by a case of lass There are many
other articles Of vertu throughout the apartment
There were four pictures in the room:-one
Virgin in glory, painted on marble, by Parma
giano; two exqulte landscapes ny Claude; and
an imperial triumph, by LIE Brun, much in the
STYLE of his entry Of Alexander, IN the gallery at
the Louvre.
The Bourdor adjoins the Reception Room,
and is in mosi perfect French mode-lisht, e'e'
CANT, and worthy of Queen. The walls were
|
rors, placed alternately; the tables Of Parian
marble were orpamcnted with vases Of Sevre fill
ed with flowers The richness OF this apart
,nent did nut in the slightest degree detract from
its simplicity; the effect was chase and beautiful.
| La the centre OF the rom was a large musnud.
richly embr ordered in the oriental style: near 1t
stood harp. Leopold. was told. frequently
| &C umpan,ed his Qaeen on the flute; from having
! heard him some years since, at the Raby Castle.
| can myself bear witness that he Is no amateur.
The toilette requires a female pen to do 1t JUS
tce: the variety Of glas, cases in pearl and h!a-
gree, its magnificent stands for scents IN gold
and crystal, would. doubt not. have excited
the admiration of the beau sexe; only wondered
This costly appendaee OF female beauty was pla.
ce,I between two windows, the draperes and cur.
tains of which we're composed Of Brussels lace;
the basons and utensils for lasa,ofy purposes
were all Of silver gilt, and bore the Belgian crown
and lion.
Upon couch lay gold chain and etui case.
which my fair countrywomen may remember,
perhaps, as an ornament once worn by their
erandmothers; it is now extremely fashionable
in the north Of Europe. The bath. which adj.
Joins the boudoir, is of marble and plate glass;
| the ceiling represents Diana and her Nymphs;
in the centre Of the room is sarcOphasus %! mar
HE. sunported by four lions cOuchant. The va.
rious pipes are conveyed through them. When
used. rose coIored silk curtain draws round and
forms complete tent. | peeped into the state
bed chamber, e.. passnnt. and observed mat the
canopy and curtains were of purple velvet, re-.
leyed with gold; the coverIid OF point lace over
satin.- London paper.
Re,yare of Sentiments !-Whenever we find
man INDUCING in fine spun sentiments. 1t is al
ways we'll 70 be on our guard: so it is always
wise to look with a jealous eye upon those who