Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1839-06-25
From The United Ssrriee Journal.

From the United Service Journal.
THE LAST MOMENTS OF PRINCE TALLEY.
RAND.-Towards the middle of the day the
Prince began to grow more restless and fe-
versh. We could not resist the temptation
of seeking relief from the sti1eG air ofthat
close chamber, and passed through TO the
drawing room. | was verify astounded at
the scene which there met my eyes. Never
shall forget the impression produced by
the transition from that silent room-that
bed of suffering-to the crowded apart.
ment where ''troops of friends "-all the
elite of the society at Paris-were ASSEMBLE
ed. There was knot of busy politicians,
with ribands at their button holes-some
with powdered heads, some with bald
gathered around the blazing fire their
animated conversion, altho' conducted in
low tone by the good taste and feeling of
him who directed it, filled the apartment
with its unceasing murmur. observed,
too, some ofthe dIplomatist's Oldest friends,
who had come hither from real and sincere
attachment, and who took no part in the
eager debates of these political champions.
Among others the Count De NJ. he
whom | have never seen but as the prime
wit ofall joyous re-unions-whose pungent
joke and biting scarcasm have become the
terror of bores and twaddler, for they cling
for ever like burrs to those against whom
they are hurled: the only man, in short,
with whom the prince himself dared not,
upon all occasion, to measure himself in
the keen skirmish of intllect, now sat silent
and sorrowful apart from the rest, apparent
" lost in thought, nor needing the various
| details of the scene which was enacting
around him, and which, had it been else
where would not have failed to call forth
some of the sharp and bitter traits of satire
for which he is SO much dreaded. In one
corner was seated coterie of ladies, dis
cussing topics entirely foreign to the time
and place. Sometimes a low burst of light
laughter would issue from among them, in
spite of the reprimanding "chut" which,
upon such occasions, rose from the further
end of the room. On sofa near the
window lay extended, at full length, the
youthful and lovely duchess de V. with a
bevy of young beaux-all robber like and
'.jeune France" kneeling on the carpet be-
side her, or sitting low at her feet on the
cushions of the divan.
The scene was altogether one of other
times. 1t seemed as thoLgh the lapse of
centuries might be forgotten, and that we
were carried back at bound to the days
of Louis Quatorze, and to the death bed OF
Mazarine. There was the same insouci-
ance, the same WEAKNESS of expectation.
Some were gathered there from conven-
fence, some from courtesy for the rest OF
the family many from curiosity, and some
few from real friendship; while none SEEM
ed to remember that mighty spirit was
passing from the world, or that they were
| there assembled to behold great man die,
Presently, however, the conversation ceas.
ed-the hum of voices was at an end
there was solemn pause, and every eye
was turned towards the slowly opening
door ofthe princes chamber. A domestic
entered with downcast looks and swollen
eyes, and advancing towards DR.. c. who
i like myself, had just then sought an instant's
reliefin the drawing room, whispered few
words In his ear. He arose and entered
the chamber. The natural precipitation
with which this movement was executed
but too plainly revealed its cause. In was
followed by the whole assembly. 1t an in
slant every one was on the alert, and there
was simultaneous rush to the door of tn,
apartment. NJ. dc TalIeyrand was at tina
moment seated on the side of the bed, sup
: ported in the arms of his secretary.
5 was evident that death had set his seal upol
3 that marble brow, yet was struck wit
the still existing vigor of the countenance
j 1t seemed as if all the life which had ono
suficed to furnish forth the whole bein
g were now centred in the brain. Fror
time to time he raised his head, with q sud
J. den movement shaking back the long, gre
locks, which impeded his sigh. and gaze
!. around and then satisfied with the fesn
d Of his examination of that crowded rodn
E a tEiumphan. smile would pass across b
e features, and his headwould again fall upo
e his bosom.
o From my profession, and the circun
stances in which | have been placed. II ha
|, fallen to my lot to be witness of more tina
e one death scene, but never IN any case d
e the sentiments displayed at that awful hoI
e appear so utterly consistent with the cha
3 acter borne BY any individual during lif
d ! as in the case of the Prince de Talleyran'
y He saw death approach neither with shrinl
ing nor with fear, nor yet with any afiecti
j. ton of scorn or of defiance, but rather wll
o cool and steady courage as wclI-match'
honourable foe with whom he had wrestls
% long and brayely, and to whom. now th
o he was fairly vanquished, he deemed It /
+ shame 10 YIELD nor blushed to lay dow
n his arms and surrender. If there Be tru
s. IN the assertion that il IS satisfaction
D. die amid the tears and the lamentations
10 nultitudes of friends and hosts Of relative
q then, indeed, must his last feeling towar
ct the world be was forever quitting have be-
III one of entire appreciation and content. {
is he expired amid regal ponp and reTerenc
- and 81 alI those whom be, perhaps wov
ie himself have called together, none We
venting. The aged friend Of his natu
10 u and the fair young idol Of his age, u