The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-01-19

building, every mortlce IS fitted to every tenon;
and our language, as compared with the Arab
is little better than patois II is, besides, the
language of the Malay, the Tartar the East In
dian, the Chinese.
A DINNER WITH LOUIS PHILIPPE.
The January number of the Knickerbocker
contains an interesting article from the pen of
Gen. CAss, our Minister in France entitled
"Three Hours at st. Coudn comprising no
tice of dinner with the Royal family, in com
pany with our countryman Governor EVERETT.
had arrived at st. Cloud an invited guest to
dinner. Our party originally consisted of four
Americans-the Minister, Gov Everett, Of Bos-
ton, Mr.. Walsh, Of Philadelphia, and the Secre-
tary OF Legation. Unfortunately sudden in
disposition had prevented Mr. Walsh from ac-
companying US. This we all regretted for this
highly intelligent gentleman conciliates the re-
spect OF all with whom he is brought into con-
tact. In connection with his name may men
ton an incident concerning his invitation which
proves the kind consideration of the Royal Fam
lily. Not knowing his residence with certainty,
two notes had been addressed to him, one at Pa
ris, and another at Versailles, and each had been
sent by special messenger, so as to exclude the
possibility OF any mistake.
The rest of our party had agreed to meet in
which was six o'clock As royalty must not be
intruded upon before its own time so it mustnot
be kept waiting after the time has arrived
Punctuality, therefore, which is always virtue,
becomes here duty Of propriety. As the min
lister was at Versailles and Gov Everett and the
Secretary at Paris, thetwo latter had made an
arrangement to come together, and to meet the
former, who was TO present them.
In few minutes, the Queen, with her young
daughter, the Princess Cementine, entered the
room, and after saluting the company, and con-
versing with the American guests, took her seat
in kind OF alcove, opening into gallery,
which surmounts the court, and commands a
full view of the magnificent environs. The Mi
mister soon arrived, and then different members
of the Royal Family, who were followed by the
King. The manners and address of Louis
Philippe are prepossessing, and he has that ease
and selfpossession which an early knowledge of
the world and participation in society never
fail to give.
Although sixty eight years of age, his appear
ance is firm, and his step elastic; and he has
perfect command Of himself, which enables him
to control his emotion, and to conceal from the
world whatever troubles the cares of royalty,
even Of French royalty, bring with them He
was dressed in the ordinary style of French
gentlemen, wearing plain blue coat, ornament
ed on the left breast with the star of the Legion
of Honor, and what is peculiar to himself, but
which is his usual habit, having the chain OF his
watch, with several keys and seals, suspended
at one of his button holes. Bowling TO the com
pany as he entered, in such manner as to seem
TO neglect no one, he advanced to the Minister
and with much kindness of manner asked him
several questions. We were then presented,
and he became quite particular in his attention
10 4 hat he Ena
the high consideration which this distinguished
gentleman enjoys in our country, and he had
too much sagacity not to discover, after very
short intercourse, that his reputation was most
Justly founded. / more than once during the
evening felt proud of this representative OF Anne
rican intelligence, not less than at the favorable
impression he produced upon the circle, confirm
ed by the observation of lady of high rank who
conversed with him.
Very soon the double doors were thrown open,
by principal servant, and the Aid de-camp de
Service, approaching the Queen, minated, by
a slight inclination, that the dinner was served.
The Queen, walking up to the Minister, took
his arm. and led the way to the dinlng-hall. The
King followed, leading his beautiful daughter-n-
law the Duchess de Nemours, and then the
Due de Nemours, with his sister, the Princess
Clementne The Due d'Aumale, the youngest
son of the King, gave his arm TO one OF the la
dies of the court, and the two American guests
then succeeded, each honored in a similar man
ner. After us, came the military officers, and
the other persons invited TO the table. We pass
ed through kind of vestibule, where band of
military music belonging TO the troops on duty
at the chateau, was arranged, but concealed from
view, and which played while we proceeded
and took our seats, and during a considerable
portion of the repast. Entering the dining-r room
we found ourselves in long apartment, mo-
destly decorated and furnished, and having in It's
centre a table with thirty covers.
The service was beautiful, and may observe
en- PEASANT, that in this branch of domestic ar
rangements, the French far exceed the English
Their Sevres porcelain, and their rich bronze,
with its deep orange which contrasted so admi
rably with the color of the silver plate, give
most imposing effect to their table equipage.-
And then the design is conceived in exquisite
taste, and executed with great skill. 1t may well
be supposed that the dinner service Of the King
OF France, and the richest individual perhaps IN
the world is BETTING his station and country; and
must leave the reader TO draw upon his imagi-
nation for just conception of it, as ! eschew
all attempts at such description.
The King placed himself in the centre OF one
side of the table, having vacant chair on his
left, and the Dutchesse de Nemours onhis right.
The Queen was on he opposite side, having
the American Minister on her right, and the
Due de Nemours on her left. The Princess
Clementine was on the right Of the Minister,
and the Due dAumale on the left Of the vacant
chair
The other guests seated themselves as they
entered without confusion, and apparently with
out any previous arrangement. Before we had
finished the soup, Madame Adelaide, the Kings
sister, entered very quietly, and without disturb
ing any one, took the chair by the side Of the
King, which had been reserved for her As