The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-04-10

should have joined the gpd-like head Of Apol.
10 to the distorted body Of Vulcan the efiecl
could scarcely have been more grotesque. |
amused myself as walked up Fulton, with
endeavoring to form some idea of what posi-.
BILE use the rare gift Of beauty would ever be
10 this stray waif upon the world but could
fancy il of no other utility than to excite the
sympathy Of some good natured serving
wench, when at some future day its possessor
accompanied old Hays TO Bridewell.
About two years afterwards, was spend
ing few weeks at the Springs. when the
little community Of fashionables was thrown
into commotion by the arrival OF splendid
carriage, with out riders, said to contain Son
Altesse the Duke del Piombino. Any one
that has ever spent week at Saratoga, will
not easily forget the insane passion which is
there exhibited for foreign fashions, and above
| all, foreign titles. In fact have heard il Sc
riously asserted, that well trained ourang-
outang, furnished with a title as a passport,
| and meerchaum as an excuse for his silence
might obtain access to the "best society" Of
even our own proud city Of Gotham, without
much difficulty. The arrival Of the Duke del
Piombino created Of course a very great SEN
sation; and many an old-fashioned papa was
teazed into promise Of making an effort to
compass the Dukes acquaintance in the
course of the day, that their daughters might
have the honor of his hand ia the evening
dance. Never had Saratoga beheld a more
splendid galaxy of beauty than that which
graced the ball that night. But, alas the
blaze Of charms was powerless. The Duke
was not present. Indeed his highness seemed
determined to disappoint all calculation. For
lhree days he was too unwell to leave his
room; and innumerable were the stone bot
ties OF Congress water that were carried to
that honored apartment. For three DAYS his
own six servants, and about half dozen
others belonging to the house were kept con-
stantly employed in attending upon him. In
the meantime curiosity was excited to an al
most painful degree. The femnes des cham
bre belonging to the establishment endea-
vored to learn something from his servants
but with little success. His coachman and
outriders were mere Irish hostlers picked up
in New York, and his valet, the only one ca
pable Of giving any information, stiff, formal
Englishman with strongly marked Jewish
physiognomy, only stated that his master had
left Europe incognito to avoid notoriety.
On the evening Of the third day he appeared
at the tea-table. Every eye was fixed upon
him as he entered the room, and even the gen
tlemen acknowledged that he was well worthy
OF attention. He was attired in the rich uni
form of an Austrian Colonel Of Hussars and
short Spanish cloak Of black velvet, such as
we often see in theatrical costume, was flung
carelessly over one shoulder; while the la
dies did not fail to observe that the clasp Of
his cloak, together with his breastpin and ring
were Of diamonds. But picturesque as was
his dress, il was scarcely noticed by those
who were enabled to obtain view ofhis coun-
tenance. The soft, lustrous eyes, the superb
forehead, the exquisite mouth and the BY
ronic chin ofthe noble Duke were exhaustless
themes of admiration. His whiskers were
quite unexceptionable-his moustache was
the very bow of Cupid, and when some one
ventured to hint that If his features were ex-
amined critically his nose would be found to
be little too aquiline--a little too nearly APP
preaching to the Jewish conformation, the sug-
gestion was treated with such mcrited scorn
as envy should always receive. / gazed on
him long time with that dubious feeling Of
half recognition which sometimes haunts US
like remembered dream. could not recol-
Iect that had ever been in company with the
Duke, and yet was sure that his face was not
unfamiliar to me.
Great were the heart burnings that night in
the ballroom. His highness did not dance,
but amused himself with watching the many
lovely forms that foated amid the mazes Of
the bewi.ching waltz. Many bright eye
grew brighter beneath his glance many fair
cheek blushed celestial rosy red'' as the
dancers gossamer robe brushed the velvet
trappings Of the noble stranger.
The next day the duke exhibited himself on
horseback, and thus afforded us an opportu-
nifty Of observing his small and beautiful foot.
His form vas evidently diminutive, but the
graceful cloak which seemed his constant COM
panion forbade us to discover its proportions,
and all were willing to believe that where the
head was so fine, and the extremites so well
shaped, the figure also must be good. As he
rode slowly away the same vague feeling of
recognition passed through my mind; and as
he dsmounted after his return, discovered
the mystery. His horse, alarmed by some
unwonted sound, turned short round as he was
about alighting, and to avoid an appearance Of
awkwardness, he was compelled to dismount
with the sun full in his eyes. He raised his
head and met the full blaze Of light, without
momentary dropping Of the eye-lid-and this
simple incident at once dissipated all my
doubts. He was the strange individual had
met on board the steamboat-the handsome
stranger.
My suspicious once aroused, determined
to watch the duke very narrowly, and dis
cover, if possible, the meaning of this sur
prising metamorphose. / found him gradu-
ally making himself acquainted with the
loveliest among the females, and the rich
est among the men. His equpage and
servants were always at the command of the
ladies whom he honored with his admiration,
and their brothers could not be SO unreason-
able as to object to an acquaintance with
man who displayed the decorations OF lnnu-