The Southern journal., 1846-07-18
An Amusing hfI8iT.

'OiSoliCJ tIlCl1 I1OUtsl IhtIlti y LESSON.
~---~-~----~-~--------~~0--
An Amusing Affair."
The home correspondent of one of the
Paris journals received by the Britannia,
relates an amusing scene. We copy
a translation of it from the Boston Daily
Atlas.
lhave just heard of an amusing adven-
ture which occurred here few days ago;
should you not like to hear it? The affair
took place in the country, and had for
ITS heroes and heroines, the elite of Pa
rls. was reminded when | heard of
it-of Chantily and of the iIlustrious
Vatel.
One OF the most accomplished and dis
tlnguished ladies of Paris, Madame Bache.
had assembled in the parors of her chateau
the most brilliant personages of the two
Faubourgs. The festival was given on
account of the Count of Arnim, the Prus-
sian Ambassador, and, in consequence.
Luxemburg and the Palals Bourbon, as
well as the diplomatic corps, had sent their
most illuslrious representatives to the cha.
teau of Madame Bache.
No one was wanting to the entertain.
ment, and while they were conversing to-.
gether in the parlor, in manner in which
they only could converse, who had seen 50
many things and who are so familiar with
every thing, and just at the moment when
Consul General was relating some of the
scenes in the private life of Ibrahim Pasha.
and deputy from Languedoc was dispay-
ing, IN the midst of bursts of laughter. a
letter which he had just received from an
elector in his district, asking him to send
to the government, for the garden of plants.
two camels, which he did not known what
to do with; "for," wrote the elector. "it
will not cost the government much, and il
will secure you my vote;" just at this mo-
ment, | say, Madame Bache, who was
moving about the room with active and
thoughtful ease, which is the great accom-
pllshmcnt OF the parlor, all at once perceiv-
ed her footman agitating himself in the
manner of an electric telegraph, in co,~
ner of the door. The footmap was very
pale and much excited; great anxiety was
depicted on his face: but at the sight of SO
many fashionable people the poor devil dar-
ed not advance any farther
Madame Bache perceived at once that
some accident was the cause of all this
agitation.
"What's he matler?" said she to him,
approachinghim.
"Ah, Madame, great misfortune, cried
the foo'man claspng his hands.
"What is it?''
''The cook is drunk; so very drunk that
he has forgotten even to light the fire in
the furnace. Ii he were in a condition to
get dinner he could not prepare it these 4
hours.
lfyou have ever been placed in the ST.
tuatlon of Madame Bache, then only can
you realise the terror this information could
not fail to inspire. The appetites Of her
guests had already become sharpcned by
delay, and We must remember, too, tina,
the personages 10 whom these appetites
belonged were diplomatists. Madame
Bache, however, remained perfectly calm
and unmoved. AS for remedying the mis-
Chief, that was out of the question; she
resolved, therefore, to meet it with good
nature.
"Lades and Gentlemen," said she, turn
ing round and addressing the company, "I
have invited you here to dinner, but regret
TO say that there is no dinner for you; NV
cook Is more than dead, and have but this
moment been informed of it, If, therefore.
we wish 10 have the table arranged it is
absolutely necessary we should do it our
selves"
ltis related ofNapoleon, that once speak
ing of Corneille, he said, if the poet had
lived in his day, he would have made him
his prime minister. If were the present
king, it seems 10 me that | should make