The Democratic Whig. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1842-1843, 1843-05-04
LADY HAMILTON.

rev heroines OF hcuOn have been
the subjects Of such striking Vicissi-
Iudes as Emma Lyon. Born Of the
lowest parsniage--her father unknown,
her birth place some obscure part Of
Wal0s-she was reared 10 abisct pow
eFty and corrupt habits. The FIRST six
teen years Of her lie was passed in an
irregular and degraded existence, often
in want Of bread 10 sustain her. Yet,
in these unfavOrable circumstances she
grew into msiuriiy prodigy Of beauty.
The sprightliness Of Der mind and the
vivacity Of her disposition seem 10
have equalled her personal charms.
Her attractions were now Of too high
an order to remain concealed. The
artists sought Der out, thar they might
give TO the marble and the canvass the
impressions Of ouch wonderful lowell
ness. She became the model Of the
goddess Igiea. The success Of the
copy extended the reputation Of the
original. The celebrated painter Rom
ney, produced her as Venus, Cleopa.
ira, and as Frine. Others made Of her
a Sybil, Leda, a Taha f; and some q
penitent Magdalene.
in the next step Of her career, she
met and caplivaled Charles GrsenVille,
Of the noble family Of Warwick. De-
ranged with passion, "drunk with beau
y," he sought TO espOuse her; but,
overwhelmed with debt, and without
the means Of support, il was necessa-
ry 10 seek the assistance and consent
Of Lis uncle, Sir William Hamilton,
then Minister Of Great Britain at this
court. She was despatched as the sup
plant TO obtain both the one and the
other; the infatuated lover believing
that her appearance would De, on his
part, a sufficient apology for seeking
so extraordinary a union. The old
uDcle,a stonished by this vision Of beau.
~ was soon lost in such raplures as
oVerw elmed every other consideration
He paid the debt Of bis nephew, and
married his betrothed.
Being now my lady, and the wife of
a minisler,a brilliant career opened be-
fore her. To the establishment OF all,
she NOV d in the high region Of socie-
ly, to which she had been so abruptly
elevated, and ia which she is now en-
titled to take a conspicuous part, as il
she had been accustomed TO it from
early years. The grace Of nature is
superior to that Of art. Her history
was, Of course. the subject Of much re-
mark; and it was not to be expected
that a court, one Of the most exclusive
Of Europe, should receive her with
more attention than her position impe.
riously demanded. Queen Caroline
the daughter OF the celebrated Maria
Therese Of Austria, and the sister Of
the unfortunate Maria Antoiueue Of
France. met this brilliant "parvenue"
with GOODNESS and hauteur. But these
were destined to continue but a short
time.-The Queen soon fond it ne
cessary TO yield TO the fortunes Of this
extraordinary woman.
Another scene OF the drama was
now enacted. Lord Nelson appears,
a conquering hero: his brow bound
with the laurels be hal just gathered
at Aboukir. He had blasted the pros
poets Of Nlpolean IN the East. He
came to Naples, saw Lady Hamilton,
and was conquered He had braved
the battle and the breeze-Filled Eu-
rope with his lame-tO strike bis flag
ingloriously to this modern Syren. In
her presence, he was feeble as an 10
laut spellbound, he gazed, received
the subtle poison, and stood within the
charmed circle, vanquished, aud vic.
tim.
The conquereF, to whom the vete-
ran diplomaiist and the illustrious war
rior had surrendered, was now 10 sub
due the court. The sagacious Queen
saw that she might exert an important
influence on the fate Of Italy, and per-
haps Of Europe. The English admi-
raj was her slave--the English minis
ter was her husband. She soon bes
came the subject Of the most assiduoue
and distinguished attentions. In the
theatre, and the puolic exhibitions, she
was often seated by the side Of the
Queen. In the palace, she was re-
ceived in the most secret recesses, en-
sertained as a friend, admitted to the
royal table an honor, in this court,Te-
served to princes ofthe blood; and re-
port said, that the imperial offspring Of
Austria, the Queen Of the SicilIes, Of
ten occupied the same chamber, ard
Iayed her limbs 10 the same bath with
her who had been but recently pooI
Vagrant, houssless.and unknown.
At the figh Of the Royal family to
Sicily, upon the approach Of Champi-
Onnet, she accompanied them, embsr-
ked in the same vessel,shared the sans