The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1839-06-05

arrival of the Duke del Piombino created
OF course very great sensation: and
many an old-fashioned papa was teazed in
TO promise of making an effort To COM
pass the Dukes acquaintance in the course
of the day, that their daughters might have
the honur of his hand in the evening dance.
Never had Saratoga beheld more splendid
galaxy of beauty than that which graced
the ball that night. Bnt, alas the blaze
of charms was powerless. The Duke was
not present. Indeed his highness seemed
determined to dissppoint oil calculation.
For three days he WAS too unwell TO leave
his room ; and innamerabe were the stone
bottles of Congress water that were carried
10 that honored apartment. For three days
his own six servants, and about hnlf doz-
en- others belonging To the house were Kept
constantly employed in attending upon him.
In the mean time curiosity WAS excited to
an almost paiuful degree. The femmes
des chanbre belonging TO the establishment
eadeavored TO learn something from his ser
wants, but with little success. His couch
msn aud outrid-rs were mere Irish hostl.rs
picked up in New York, aud his Wallet, the
only one capable of giving any information,
stiff, formal Eng!ishman, with a strongly
marked Jewish physiognomy, only stated
that his master bad left Europe incognito
to avoid notorieiy.
On the evening of the third day he ap-
penred OF the tea-table. Every eye was fix-
ed upon HIM as he entered the room, and
even the gentlemen acknowledged tha, he
was well worthy Of attention. He was at
tired in the rich uniform of an Austrian
Colonel of Hussars, and a short Spanish
cloak of black velvet, such as we often see
in theatrical costume, was flung careIessly
over one shoulder; while the ladies' did mot
| fail to observe that the clasp Of his cloak,
/ together with his brcasipin aud ring were of
diamonds. But picturesque as wns his
dress, !, was scarcely noticed by those who
were enablrd 10 obtain view of his coun-
teDancc. The soft, lustrous eyes, the su-
perb forehead, the exquisite mouth aud the
Byronic chin Of The noble Duke were ex-
inustless themes Of admiration. His whis-
kers were quite unexceptionable-hs nous
tache was the very bow Of Cupid, and when
: some one ventured TO hint that if his feat
nres were examined critically his nose would
be found To be n little too aquiIinc-n little
too nearly approaching to The Jewish con-
formation, the suggestion was treated with
such meriieG scorn rs envy should always
receive. ] gazed an him a long time with
that dubious feeling Of half recognition
which sometimes hnunts US like n remrm-
hered dream. ! could not recollect Tint
had ever been in company will, the Duke,
and yet | was sure that his face was not
! unfamiliar tn me.
Great were the heart-burnines that night
in the ballroom. His highness did not
dance, but amused himself with watching
the many lovely forms that Aouied amid
the mazes Of the bewitching waltz. Many
bright eye grew brighter beneath his
glance-many a fair cheek blushed celes-
lial 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 MS an OPP
portunity of observing his small and benu-
,iful foot. His form WAS evidently dimiuu-
tive, but the graceful cloak which seemed
his constant companion forbade us TO dis
cover its proportions, aud all were willing
to believe that where the head was 90 fine,
and the extremi,ies SO well shaped, the fig
ure also must be good. As he rode slowly
away the same vague feeling of recognition
passed through my mind aud AS he dis
mounted after his return, | discovered the
mystery. His horse, alarmed by some on.
wonted sound, turned short round MS he was
about oligbling, aud TO avoid OF appear
ance Of awkwardness, he was compelled to
dismount with the sun full in bis eyes. lie
. al. fall II
light, without momentaty dropping Of the
eye-ld-and this simple incidence Mt once
dissipated all my doubts. He was the strange
individual had met on board The steam
boat-thc handsome stranger.
My suspicious once aroused, ] deteru,in-
ed to waieh the duke very narrowly, and
discover, il possible, the meaning of this
surprising metamorphose. | found him
gradually making himself acquainted with
the love!Iest among the females, and the
richest arnong the neo. Ills equipnge and
ser~,ots were always at the command Of
the ladies' whom, he honored With his admi-
ration, and their brothers could not be 50
unreasonable rs to object to an acquaint-
anee with man who displayed the decora-
tons OF innumersble orders Of knigh,hood,
who hin'ed his conssngainiiy with the blood
royal OF Frnoce; aud above oil, no los, his
money at billiards with 80 much grace and
dignity.
Among the bellies Of the season, Matilda
Esston, the orphan heiress Of a southern
planter, was conspicuous. She had visited 7
the Springs under the protection Of her
aunt, a sentimental spinster of the old school,
who dos;ed on the production of the Nj
nerva Press" aud expected all kinds of ro-
rnsn'ic inprobsbIlnies from the charms of
her be~itching niece. Matilda was GER
tainly 9 splendid creature, and with little
more self-distrust would have been very
lovely woman, but, born st the south. and