The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-01-19
WHOLE NO. 429.

she remarked, ladies cannotprepare their toillettes
as speedily as gentlemen, and having accompa-
MED her brother from Paris, she had not time TO
complete her arrangements when the dinner was
announced.
The dinner at ST. Cloud passed as dinners
usually pass, in some conversation, but still more
IN the audable operations of eating and drinking
Thank heaven, the days of 'healths' and toasts
have gone by. The fashion is dead, never 10
be resuseitated. Even in the pamy days OF its
existence, had an intuitive horror of these nj
nous sdiutations, when man could not touch
his glass without popping his head in his neigh
DORIS lace, and often at the risk of having his
nose broken by some attentive friend whose
thirsty propensities were manifested by the same
strifing ceremony.
have often thought that the excessive absur-
dity OF this custom might be ludicrousy exhibit
ed by converting the salutaton from the glass TO
the plate, and instead of drinking a health, or a
sentiment as II was called, gravely eating our
good wishes, whenever we began new dish.
The order and silence with which the domes-
tic service OF the dinner was conducted, were
honorable to the interior organization of the
royal household. There was no hurry or con
fusion on the one hand, nor indifference nor
carelessness on the other but the servants were
alert and attentive and there was al least one
domestic for each person at the table. Like the
customary arrangements al the French dinners
there were three removes, and the dishes were
changed and renewed with prompttude and re-
gularlty, being brought in by long file Of ser
wants, each of whom delivered his charge to
superior attendant, by whom it was placed upon
the table. The whole ceremony did not exceed
one hour, when we returned TO the Saloon of
Reception, in the order we had left it.
In French society, the practice which prevails
IN England, and which we have borrowed from
that country, of sitting at table after the ladies
have retired, and guzzling wine, (he epithet
Is coarse one, but not so coarse as the custom)
is unknown 1t is a relic of barabrism, and
ought to be banished II leads too often to
orgies, ard not to pleasures; substituting for
rational enjoyment excessive indulgence |
have never been at dinner in Continental Eu-
rope, where the ladies and gentlemen did not re-
tire from the table together. 1t is very seldom
that the entertainment exceeds eighty or ninety
minutes and often after returning TO the saloon,
have heard some experienced eater observe,
with all the self-complacency inspired by most
satisfactory meal, 1t was an excellent dinner
and we were at table but an hour"
! When we reached the family parlor, as it
may be called we found the Duke and Duchess
of Orleans there They have a separate es-
adjustment at the chateau, and had dined en-
famiHe, but had come to join the circle Of the
court, and to pass the evening with it. The
Duke is 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 law,
and her daughter, and some other ladies' while
the rest placed themselves at a similar table in
another part Of the room. We were then pre-
scented to the Duke and Duchess of Orleans,
and the former conversed during a considerable
time with Gov. Everett.
The King invited the Minister TO accompany
him TO another wing of the chateau They
passed through the two rooms | have already
described on arriving, and then entered a long
: apartment called the Gallery of Apollo. The
ceiling is splendidly painted, and the walls are
ornamented with medalons, and hung with
upwards of ninety pictures; and there are SUI
perb vases, and other precious works OF art, dis
tributed through the apartment. This is a ia
vorte promenade of the King, who frequently
walks here after dinner, seeking exercise, which
is necessary to his health and which his duties
and the attacks to which his life is exposed do
not permit him to take in the open air; and APP
parently happy to forget the oppressive cares OF
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 to the royal house
hold, and called the Mhsique de Roy, made
their appearance.
As the evening advanced, the persons who
are entitled to what is called the right of entire,
or in other words, who are expected to present
themselves occasionally in the evening at the
roy al 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-work, destined to a charita
BILE object, and the gentlemen walking about the
apartment, and engaged in conversation. Here
the Diplomatic Corps, and various members of
French society, are admitted without special
invitation and enjoy the facilities of communi-
cation with the royal family After short
time we quilted the apartment, without any for
NAL leave-taking and thus pleasantly passed
three hours at Saint Cloud
In Debt and ont Of Debt-Of what hideous
progeny of i'll is debt the father What lies,
what meanness, what invasions on self-respect,
what cares, what double-dealing! How, in
due season il will carve the frank omen face