The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-11-07

B0rdentown, In Years past.
1t was night, in the year lS**, that for The first
time crossed the threshold OF the brother Of Ma
poleon; my companion was son OF the ex-kiDg
of Naples, and had been my chum for years, and
with him made my first visit carriage met ns
at the river and It was not long before we were IN
fine quarters. The room in which we were lodged
had all the recherche elegance of the ancient regime,
and In fact the whole mansion was perfect bi-
jou of refinement; the floor was covered with some
old tapestry that had once adorned a palace IN
Spain, and liz by silver lamp with fine alabas-
ter shade, carved with images OF the virgin and
child-.hc flight into Egypt, the preaching IN the
temple and the cruciflxon, with a minuteness and
originality surprising it was relic from the con-
vent OF the Carmetts at Avlgnon, take during the
wars OF Itay-two Chinese Jars of rare value stood
beside mantel Of the richest Egyptian marble,
which supported twin vases OF the finest porce lain
of senerSs chairs, of Spanish chestnut antiquity,
carved, which doubtless had once seen the Escurl.
al, as the arms OF Spain covered their backsi; and
dressing case OF ebony choicely lnaln with ivory,
rested against the wall, table was between our beds
withsa pitcher and goblet OF silver. Even the beds
were covered with the richest OF satin brocade.
M. Des** The private secretary, waited upon us TO
say that the Count i'll Of toothache, and that
he would not be able 10 us till morning. u If
an old womans whm, that what you dream In
strange house will surely come to pass; II so, my
whole life would since have been emerged meath
the skirt Of Pope Plus VII for painting. Of Ma
poleans interview with him near Fontalnbeau,
that adorned the wall, hung upon my soul like
incubus could see the weak old man dragged,
harrassed, disheartened in his vain strife TO keep
his temporal kingdom out Of the claws OF the
eagles OF France, and, AMID all his suffering,
smiling with spiritual resignation, and blessing
God Tor The trial of faith to which he was subject.
ed AT last my dream changed TO darker hue
an assassIn's dagger cleaned in the ara groan
Of intense agony struck my ear-the old man rush
ed to me and chung with desperate iervor, the
blood gushing from his wounds strangled me ;
the fierce embrace; oh / could no longer breathe
the voices OF the, air muttered something OF
WrIuh TO nvtca md he Dntp uraya
and all over. While lay in this state, hand
touched mine, the spell was gone, and breakfast
had been sent up and my friend had walked me
from the vllest nightmare that ever straddleC
humanity. The cate was truly delicious, and
the figures under our feet afforded us host
Of amusement. After taking stroll in the
park, where peacocks and herd OF deer
sported quietly around beautiful statue, with
front oi fine American scenery, we returned, and
were presented 10 the Count. He embraced his
nephew warmly, and gave me truly plebelan
shake of the hand, and bade US be seated Now,
for the first time scanned closely his ieatures his
hair then silky, and hung polntedy from his
head his eyes were dark, passionate, and burning
at times his lips classcally sensual his CON-
pexlon a faint olive; and when excited, his fea.
lures were rather impressive than expressive the
forehead and chin, il met anywhere thissl OF the
grave, you would swear were Bonaparte his
form was rather corpuent; his hands small,
white, and womansh; and his feet Lord Byron
would doubtless have envied. When walking, he
stood about five feet ten; he sat rather taller
His dress Of black, with massive gold ana
diamond chain, and bracelet OF hair upon hs
wrist diamond sleeve buttons peeped out from
beneath his snowy wristbands. All his attendants
paid him profound respect, even deference-
whether 1t was drilling or love, Ihave been unable
to determine When he spoke, it was fast, rather
impetuous Upon men he was bitter, upon things
eloquent. The room in which we sat was lighted
from ceiling to floor, looking out upon scene OF
unrivaed beauty. Several oaken bookcases
loomed darky against the wall, with their
dingy bronze pillars, AMI brass mondines
Upon I'm escretoire OF rosewood, lnlaid win
mother-of- pearl, rested silver writing case-one
that Napoleon had used in several Of his cam
paigns--a finely carved eagle, with spread WINGS
rose in the centre, 1pon pedestal where twined
wreath OF laurel around the magic IN" The
room was gingerly curtalned with Genoa velvet,
and busts, by Canova, of the Emperor, Pauline,
Josephine and Luclen, gemed the room upon pc
destnls otFvaregated marble; several canoes lay
clustered in corner, and portraito OF " the mother
of Napoleon" hung over the mantel. VI that mo
Their the Count spoke with profound admiration
"She was one whom prosperity could never spoil,
nor adversely everdepress." Ii was durinslmylas
ring, formerly worn by Josephine, given to him
when they fled from the allies As II glittered be-
tween my fingers saw solitary tear gush over
the ex-Klng's swarthy face, showing more real
feeling than he had evinced while pointing me out
a cast taken Of the Emperor's face after death, al
st Helena. | understood he always wore her mi
mature, and believe me, Napoleon was not jealous
without cause. He spoke eloquenty OF PaulIne's
that he pronounced good likeness thought her
a s2lendld creaturebut 1t was the beauty OF earth,
of passion, not spiritmHe or Of intellect.
The face OF Count Nipperey's spouse was there,
maria Loulsa,) who, among so many lineaments
of Gods own nobility, looked like hshwoman
at Almacks-her features were dull, and eyes ex-
pressiveess as two gooseberries. There were
sevt raj fine battle pieces, by Horace Vernet, upon
the wall, startling and gorious-where the features
of the Mars of the 10Th century shone with the
brightness and radiance OF the sun at MONDAY
A more classical family, IN reality, than the
Buonaparies sans doute, exIsteth not The man.
sion was a perfect museum of sculpture and paint
ings, with services of gold and silver, that would
have taken volumes TO chronicle their history
There stood n fruit basket, that was ordered by
Josephne irons her own drawings. "a shell,
silver gilt with two Cupids, supporting wreath oil
flowers, for the hande.) That covered dish, with
outspread eagles, once graced the imperial tables OF
81 Cloud That crushed ADD broken plume, In a
mimic shield Of solid gold, once futtered gaily
upon The head of Murat-that gold crucfx was
the gift of Cardinal Fcscl-and, amid thousand
relics OF the past, lived this man, who had loci
more than millions live to win ; and, had II not
been for the saving influence OF a daughters love
and reverence for religion, all the latent fires oil
his nature would have destroyed his being, and
left him an intellectual wreck--a creature OF des-
tny : but, as il was, he was kind, digDIfed and
was ever alive to the comfort and wants Of others
What had destroyed many, was life to him and
have seen him take az much pleasure in killing q
chip.muck, as Napoleon IN re-conquering the liza
hans IL is true he was exIle-it is true thu
La Fayette displayed the malignity OF a iend Ii
the Waterloo abdication, towards the savior al
his life from thr prisons OF Olmutz and also, tina
Spain was rather an unpleasant country, TO MAKE
the best OF It. On all these subjects the cunt wa
rather severe; but II Is likewise true, that he bore
his prescription like philosopher, and died like a
Christian.
NEw YoRK, Nov. l, ls44.