The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-02-26
Hasty Notes OF Travel by Mrs. j. G.. b.
PARIS, January 20, lS47.

have been very badly employed since last
wrote you The gayetes and frivolies of Paris
have principally occupied my time. Balls, par
ties, and the opera have been the chief amuse-
ments for the last two weeks But some Of the
most remarkable and most magnificent scenes
which | have ever witnessed have been
displayed at the Palace OF the Tuileries.-
The week before last I had the honor Of be-
ing presented to his Majesty Louis Philippe,
and to all the royal family, including the celebra
tod Infanta of Spain, now Duchess de Montpen-
sier. She is decidedly the most beautiful among
them; and if France and England 20 to war
about this marriage, it ought to last as long as the
Trojan war did about the beautiful Helen. There
were six or seven saloons thrown open, all of
them most brilliantly lighted
The hour Of assembling was eight, but such
was the anxiety to procure seats that the rooms
were crowded at seven. About nine we were
all put in regular rank and file, the gentlemen
in the centre and the ladies on each side. The
King then passed down, with his aids-de camp
saying something to each person had a little
conversation with him about steam navigation.
He asked me whether crossed in a steamer or
sal ling vess replied, in a steamer. And he
said must be woman OF courage. felt very
much inclined to tell him that / had display
ed acts OF more courage than in crossing IN
steamer. Then the Queen passed, with
that beautiful little creature, the lnfanta,
leaning on her arm, attended by her maids
OF honor, and also saying something polite
to every body. Alter her he princesses followed,
with their maids of honor; all these dressed alike,
in very pale crimson velvet, trimmed with lace.
They were also very affable, but nothing to be
compared in point of beauty and grace with the
Duchess de Monipensier.
The Infana's dress was very simple and beau
titul-a pink satin, with lace fiounces, and her
fine glossy black hair completely studded with
the largest and most beautiful diamonds, which
added most charmingly to her beauty. really
fear Mr. Bennett has lost his heart, and can
never write another line for his paper, he has
been SO captivated by her charms. Her beauti-
full timidity Of manner and extreme youth attract
every body.
The toilette of the ladies in general was very
magnificent, and presented the greatest quantity
of lace and diamonds | ever saw. There was
little Prussian princess pointed out to me who
had been married for four years, and supposed
she was a little girl her hair was cut quite short,
and curled all over. She wore white lace dress
over white satin, Topped up all round with dla-
rnonds-the sleeves in the same manner, and
simple black ribbon tied round her arm, with
about ten or twelve large diamonds attached to
it, She was altogether the most perfect little
bijou ever looked at. j met the same falry-like
little creature at Mr. Guizot's.
1t would take pages to describe the beauty
and elegance of sthe dresses, and even then JUS
tce could not be done to them The AmerI-
cans, after the French were decidedly the best
dressed, and the most distingue.
The gentlemen are not presented the first night,
they only 60 in attendance on the ladies. The
night Of their presentation they 90 alone, in all
their glory.
I think must let you into the secret of the gen.
tlemens..toilet on their presentation Alter Louis
Philippe's accession to the throne, the Amer
lean gentlemen all presented at court in the
ordinary ball dress, plain black clothes and
pumps; but in process OF time it was conceived
at the American embassy that little gold lace
would be an improvement, SO that every gentle
man now is obliged to go in court dress or mill
tary uniform. Mr. b., holding a commission as
Adjutant General in the Mormon Legion, was
thinking of appearing in that uniform, but
changed his mind, fearing that the king might
question him on his military tactics; he was there
fore obliged to have resort to hired garments,
uofo CoHliony Cdueu Ola CtO as was tne case
with may more gentlemen who had not time to
have new suit made, and who also do not wish
to go to such expense but for two nights. They
have shops here where those court dresses are
hired out for so much a night, varying from rs to
80 francs each time. thought should have died
angling when Mr.. b. tried on the first coat-two
men of his size could have got into il with ease;
and the r'orehand kept continually saying " Oh
est ehdrmant, c'sst!charmant - then he tried on
another and that was as bad in another way, for
1t was SO tight that every move he gave some
thing would give way; and feared if he kept the
usnt one mat on being presented to his majesty
and bowlng down very low, that the coat might
explode, and then what predcament for a Cen.
eral in the Mormon Legion
The THREE MILLION BILL AND SENATOR DAVIS
The Three Million Bill drags its length along
slowly in the Senate AS there are ONLY a reu,