The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1841-01-14

vsrts each Of whom delivered his charge TO a
superior attendant, by whom it was placed upon
the table. The whole ceremony did not exceed
one hour, when we returnad to the Salon OF Re
ception in the order we had left it In French
society, the practice which prevails in England,
and which we have borrowed from that country,
ofsitting at table after the ladies have retired,
and gtSzzLing wine, (he epithet is coarse one,
but not so coarse as the custom,) is unknown
II is a relic of barbarism, and ought to be BAN
ished. II leads too often to orgies, and not to
pleasures; substituting for rational enjoyment
excessive indulgence. l have never Ioeen at
dinner at Continental Europe, whe'e the ladies
and gentlemen did not retire from the table to-
gether II is very seldom that the entertainment
exceeds eighty or ninety minutes, ana oIten al
ter returning to the salod, l have heard some
experienced eater observe; with all the SELL
complacency inspired by NEST satisfactory
meal sIt was an excellent dinner and we were
at ia bic but an hourp
When we reach the family parlor, it
may be called, we found the Duke and Duchess
of Orleans there They have a separate estab-
lishment at the chateau, and had dined en- ta-
mile, but had some to join the circle of the
court, and to pass the evening with 1T. The
Duke is a tall, elegant young man, with an ex-
pressive countenance, and great ease of man
ners.
The Queen took her seat at one Of the round
tables, with her sister, her two daughters-in-law
and her daughter, and some other ladies'; while
the rest placed themselves at similar table in
another part of the ROOM We were then pre-
sented to the Duke and Cuchoss of Orleans, and
the former oenversed during considerable time
with Gov Everett.
The King invited the Minister to accompany
him to another wing ofthe chateau. They pas
cd thesugh the two rooms have already des-
crbed on arriving, and then entered long
apartment called the Gallery Apollo. The cell
ing is splenpidly painted, and the walls are orn-
amented with medallions, and hung with up
ward of ninety pictures; and there are superb
vases, and other precious works OF art, dlstribut-
ed through the apartment This is a favorte
promenade the King, who frequently walks
here after dinner, seeking exercise, which IS ne
cessary to his health, and which his duties and
the attacks to which his life IS exposed do not
permit him to take in in open arr; and apparent
ly happy to forget the oppressive cares OF a
crown, in the "reminiscences of former times, and
particularly of his adventures in the United
States.
In about half an hour, the King returned from
the promenade, and soon after the musicians,
who are nominally attached tot the royal house
hold, and called the .M1Sique du Rot, made
their appearance.
AS the evening advanced, the persons who are
entitled to what is called the right of eqItTee,
in other words, who are expected to present
themselves occasionally in the evening at the
royal residence, began to make their appearance.
At the French court, the King and his family
assemble together every evening, in domestic
circle, the ladies seated at round tables, engaged
in some light needle-worl1, destined to charita-
BILE object, and the gentlemen walking about the
apartment, and esgaged in conversation. Here
the Diplomatic Corps, and various members of
French society, are admitted without special in
Vitation, and enjoy the facilities of communities
ton with the regal family. After short time
we quilted the apartment, without any formal
leave-taking; and thus pleasantly passed three
hours at Saint Cloud.