The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-03-19
Rtscellameous.
PRESENTATION AT COURT.

The annexed letter describes ceremony
which will be new to some Of our readers.-N
y. american
PARIS, January, 1S41
Since our last letters we have been presented
tn the Roval Family. 1t was intended that the
American gentIeInrn ~Land have haer presented
on last Sunday but our Minister not apr rowing
of that day, induced postponement to We'd
nesday, which brought the period subsequent to
that of the presentation Of the ladies, ane led 10
this awkward result, that they were Obliged to
90 through the ceremony without the support Of
their husbands and beauy. 1t Is the etiquette
Of the Court that none can accompany the ladies
that have not been previously presented. The
manner and course OF presentation on the part
of the gentlemen, of whom believe there were
some dozen or more, was as follows: AT half
past seven in the evening, by previous notice
from General Cass, proceeded in our car
riages, in full court dress, to his Hotel; whence
after waiting about an hour, we drove in line TO
the Palace of the Tuileres, preceded by the
Minister, the Charge d'Afaires, and the At
taehe.
AT the gate Of the Palace we were received
by company of Dragons in charge, and thence
passed along file of soldiers to the grand en-
trance. Alighting upon carpet of mats placed
before the entrance, we proceeded to the grand
stair case, in the interior, guarded by the palace
guards Here our names were announced and
recorded; and the servants in waiting, dressed
in scarlet emb oldered coats, with small clothes
and white silk stockings, and wearing swords
and cooked hats conducted US up the stairs al
the head Of which we were received by another
person in waiting, and ushered into the large sa-
LOOM Adjoining were a suite of three rooms,
including that in which was the throne The
walls of these were highly ornamented with go
bilin tapestry, and portraits of the Marshals Of
France; and the ceilings, which were high,
were fancifully and historically painted The
wood work was brilliant with FURNISHED gold
leaf, and the furniture principally of ottomans,
arranged along the walls, covered with scarlet
velvet and plush.
The mantels were Of the fashion Of former
years; the fire places large, and by no means
elegant though well filled with burning wood.
The throne was covered with gold and scarlet
velvet; and upon the raised platform Of two
steps, was placed the chair of State, richly gid-
ed. Within these rooms were arranged the
gentlemen to be presented, in line, along the
sides; all under the charge of their respective
ambassadors, who introduced the several persons
to the King as he advanced. The King, with
his family entered one end of the suite of rooms
about nine o'clock, and proceeded, accompanied
by his son the. Duke of Joinve, along one OF the
lines, followed by the Queen and the other
members of the Royal Family. He addressed
few words in pleasing and affable manner to
each person as introduced. He speaks in pretty
good English, and generally puts questions in re-
lation to your country, your voyage, your resi-
dence, or your contemplated tour
] 1t is not etiquette to address any question TO
the King, and if done he moves on without
making any reply. was introduced TO him as
a resident of New York, and he Immediately
remarked, "New York is large and prosperous
State. The city of New York grows very fast;
is a very fine city, and must soon cover the whole
Island. ! hope youfind your stay here agreea-
BILE" Then followed the Queen; she spoke
some time, but whether in broken English or in
French did not know; and as | could under
stand nothing, | could merely bow 10 her
marks. After passing me little, and address
ing another, she turned back and remarked that
the King talked very good English TO which
responded complimentary answer. Next came
the Kings sister, pleasant looking old woman,
who spoke few words in French. Then came
the Duchess de Nemours, pretty, young, and
interesting woman, the wife of the Duke de