Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1837-08-09

mad fingered through three long years IN state OF
forutude were almost exhausted. My medical atten-
dants ordered me TO travel and l, weary Of connne-
/ ment, aud of those monotonous amuscments whch
had for time afforded some little diversion during
lingering nights and days, joyfuy awaited myself Oh
the permission afforded me- 10 suffer in ether places
to see other objects, and TO lnhae change OF ar
One of my relations, Colonel r, offered 70 De
escort. We travelled bv short stages, ana the Joar
ney so long, that Pomberes seemed 70 me 70 oe
at the further extremity of the world On our ARRIVAL
we found the town full of companyj and was oblg-
ed to take UP my abode at the Tete dOr the hotel at
which our position stopped.
king or receiving visits and lived perfectly tranquil
and secluded in the gay and fashionable town. There
were at that time six thousand vlsters In Pombieres
Arrivals and departures succeeded each other contnu
ally: and the excitement and the hustle, and the
imaton, doubtless afforded agreeable excitement TO
inyalids less afflicted than myself
Bur, disabled as was from participating in the
amusements of the place. regarded my unexpected
meeting with the Duke de Vicenza a singular in
stance of good fortune The Duke also was suffering
severely from illness; and Colonel R and
myself We're the only persons with whom he asso-
elated. We met regularly every morning at the Cru
cifix Fountain and we afterwards made rambIe of
a few hours in the outskirts of the town. | used
TO ride on one of the wretched little horses OF the
country whilst the gentlemen accompanied me on
foot.
The Duke lodged in house adjoining our hotel
He occupied the apartments in which the Empress
Josephine resided when the balcony of the first osr
window gave way and the Empress and two of her
ladies were precipitatcd into the street
What remarkable condolences sometimes fix
attentions Twenty years after the accident to which
l have just alluded, the Duke de Vicenza reposed in
the bed chamber which had 50 often resounded
with the name Of Napoleon, pronounced by the sweet
accents Of Josephlne's voice.
1t was now the month of September-the evenings
were beginning TO lengthen, and with some few ex-
ceptons passed them all in the society Of the Duke
de VicenZa. He usually came to us about seven
clock, and often when the great town clock struck
twelve we expressed wonder at the rapidy with
which the hours had flown.
The Duke felt little inclination TO sleep, and Colonel
r. and myself were never weary of listening 10
his conversation, which always replete with in
teresting facts. My questions, and his complain
sance in answering them, alike inexhaustlble
The Duke de Vicenza had been the confidant and
cd with the most important diplomatic functions, and
he always correspondent directly with the Emperor
There was no intermediary between lhem-their cor
respondence was the communion OF thought between
man and mantle private instructions of sovereign
to his trustworthy and intelligent friend. The Duke
de Vicenza was of all men, best qualified to describe
Napoleon; hepossessed a profound knowledge ofhls
character, and acquainted with all those little
shades OF feeling winch are mpercepnole 10 common
observers. To his Minister'S his Generals and TO all
who approached him, the Emperor maintained the
character Of the Monarch; to Cauincourt only he
was Napoleon. He might be good or i'll humored
merry or sad, angry OF pleased, but he was always
sincere, always himself
The reason was that the Duke de vlcenza was a
man distinguished amidst all the crowd of courtiers.-
He possessed intrinsic superiority; natural dig
nifty; he was gifted with certain elegance of man.
ner and language, which elevated him, as it were
above his equals, and commanded the admiration of
| every one. The GOODNESS with which have heard
him reproached was inherent in his proud and indie
! pendent nature He bad perfect consciousness of
his own superiority, but his exquisite good breeding
tempered any little aspertes to which the gravity OF
his manner might give birth.
! After an animated argument the Emperor once
said to the Duke de Vicenza, You bar Of iron
an absolute bar of iron-there is no bending you but
| by thrus ing you into the fire.
WELL Sire, frankly confess that am bar OF
iron with your Majesty more than with any other
| person in the world
'Ah /! indeed
1T must inevitably be so, Sire, for when contra
dict your Majesty, be assured that nothing but the
most decided conviction of being in the right could
| induce me to do so.