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

II
her birth place some obscure mart :
Wales--she was reared 10 abiect nov
erty and corrupt habits. The first six
teen years of her life was passed in al
irregular and degraded existence. ofe,
in want Of bread to sustain her. Yet
in these unEavorable cireumstances.sh,
grew into maturity a prodigy Of beauty
The sprightliness Of her mind and th.
vlvacity Of her disposition seem e
have equalled her personal charms
her attractions were now Of too high
an order to remain concealed. The
artists sought her out, that they nigh
give to the marble and the canvass the
Impressions Of ouch wonderful lowell.
ness. She became the model of The
goddess j giea. 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 Other
Sybil, Leda, a Taha and some a
penitent MagdaIene.
IN the next step Of her career, she
met and captivated Charles GreenviIIe,
OF the noble family of Warwick. De-
ranged with passion, "drunk with beau
ty," he sought to espouse her; but,
overwhelmed with debt, and without
the means Of support, it was necessa-
ry 10 seek the assistance and consent
of l.is 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 be, on his
part sufficient apology for seeking
so extraordinary union. The old
uncle, astonished by this vision Of beau
~ was soon lost in such raptures as
oVerw elmed every other consideration
He paid the debt Of his nephew, and
married his betrothed.
Being now my lady, and the wife Of
rninister,a brilliant career opened be-
fore her. To the astonishment Of all,
she NOV, d in the high region Of socie-
Iy, TO which she had been so abruptly
elevated, and in which she is now en-
titled TO take 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 court, one Of the most exclusive
Of Europe, should recerve her with |
more attention than her position impe-
riously demanded. Queen Caroline
the daughter of the celebrated Maria
Therese Of Austria, and the sister oil
the unfortunate Maria Antoinette Of
France, met This brilliant ''parvenue"
with GOODNESS and hauteur. But these
were destined to continue but short
Queen soon found 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 Iaurels he hal just gathered
at Aboukir. He had blasted the pros
nects of Napolean m the East. He
came to Naples, saw Lady Hamilton.
and was conquered He had brayed
the battle and the breeze-Filled Eu-
rome with his fame-to strike his flag |
;ngloriously to this modern Syren. In
her presence. he was feeble as an in
lant spelIbound, he gazed, received
the subtle poison, and stood within the
charmed circle, vanquished, and VIC
tim.
The conquerer, to whom the vete-
ran diplomatist and the illustrious war
rior had surrendered, was now to sub
due the court. The sagacious Queen
saw that she might exert an important
influence on the fate of Italy, and per-
hans Of Europe. The English adml-
raj was her slave-the English minis
Ter was her husband. She soon bes
came the subject oil the most asslduoue
and distinguished attentions. In the
theatre, and the pnolic exhibitions. she
was often seated by the side OF the
Queen. In the palace, she was re-
ceived in the most secretrecesses' en-
as a friend, admitted to the
oval table an honor, in this court,re-
served 70 princes Of the blood; ana re-
mort said. that the imperial offspring o.
A nssria. the Queen of the Sicllles' OF.
EN- occupied the same chamber arc
ayed her limbs in the same bath WIN
"a who had been but recsntly 9 poor
houseless.and unknown.
Al the aigll Of the Royal family to-
Sicily. upon the approach Of ChamP.-
,nnef. she accompanied them, embar-
,ad = the same vessel. shared the same
,d n, and the same asylum .
INhen The information was received
~ the court at PaleriDo that me . ne.
n AMI EnSH Il