The daily national Whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1849, 1847-08-09
NATIONAL WHIG
- From BlaelwoOd's Magazine
THE DOG OF ALClBIADES.


Thus, at setting of, NJ. valbezene sketch
es the FIVE principal actors IN his domesn'
drama and we have little further 70 rea'
before discovering their virtues ana vices
and the relation 10 which they stand 70 escf
other. The Count de Msrsanne Is maj
of strict honor, and warm heart generous
instincts. and much delcacy OF feeling
Sincerely attached TO his wife, ne mas, new
er.heless, from a very early perioo OF tne'
welded life, greatly neglected her, LEAVING
her 10 nine 10 solicitude, whilst he INDUCED
his yiolen, passion for deld-sports. The
afF.ct;on Amelie de Marsanne originally
fell for her husband has yielded to the
neglect Of wears, and been replaced by q
violent passion for Vassigny, which he
ardently ieciprocates. So guarded, how
ever, has been their conduct, that none sus-
meet the intrigue. Marsanne has perfec,
confidence in his wife's virtue and the
. cav. oood-humored Kersent, who is warm
~ attached to his beautiful cousin, and on
terms Of great intimacy with Vassigny, has
NOT the remotest idea Of the good under
standing between the two persons he best
loves. Movillez, an admirable specimen Of
the pretentions young Frenchman just es-
capped from college, and aping the vices and
follies Of more mature Partisan roues, sf-
fords many comic scenes, which agreeably
relieve the grave and thrilling interest OF
the book. He also, unknown to himself,
plays an important part in the plot, and by
his indiscretion, is the cause Of q world OF
unhappiness to the four persons already de-
scribed. Francine, ffth-rate actress at q
Paris theatre, vulgar, profigate, and mer-
cenary; and Major d'Hsvrecourt, good
hearted old officer, punctiIious on the poin,
of honor, and fancying himself a man Of
most pacific dispositions, whilst in reality
he is ever ready for duel,-complete the
dramaiis persona. Although D'Havrecourt
has attained the ripe age Of fifty, he still
knows how to sympathze with youth, to
understand its tastes and excuse its follies |;
and Movillez is one of the hopefuls whom
he not unfrequently favors with his society
and, benefits by his advice.
The day after the ball, Marsanne's
hunting party takes place. A wildbour is
Killed, and poor Movillez, who has joined
the chase in hopes of distinguishing him
self before the eyes Of fair English amazon,
meets with numerous disasters, principally
occasioned by his bad horsemanship, blu,
which. his indomitable conceit prevents his
taking much to heart. A week later we
tlnd him dining at the Cafe de Paris, in
company with D'Havrecourt, and listening
10 sundry narratives of remarkable single
combats which the old fre-eater had wit
messed, heard of or shared in. Dessert is
on table, when these bellicose rsminis-
censes are interrupted by the arrival of
kersent.
= "tAllow me to enjoy your society," said
the new conner, suntil the arrival of Mar
same, who is behind his time, as usual
"'With great pleasure replied the Ma
jor cordially. sWhat will you take ?
1atNothing: should spoil my dinner
Well. young man, continued Kersent,
addressing himself to Movillez, $50 we are
getting on in the world, conquering posi-
lion, becoming lion of the very first wa
ter. The Journal des Glasses talks Of
nothing butTour exploits at the Rambouil-
lei hunt 49,. .E.,..
a. How so, cried Movillez, greatly sur
pfised
't' Yes, in the account of the days sport
il cites the elegant, the courageous, the
dauntless Movillez as first in at the death
Two pages about you, neither more nor
less, in the style of the passage Of the
Rhine by defunct Boieau.'
-"'1d did not deserve such praise. Hence
forward, will take the paper
"'You cannot do less.'
GO Read the article twice. said D'Hav-
recsurt, who had listened attentively 10
kersents words. You know me for a
man Of peaceable temper and disposition,
an enemy, both by nature and habit, of all
violence. Well, | read that article to-day,
and it seemed to me that under the form Of
praise ii concealed a tendency to satire.
hesitated TO tell you Of it, but since another
has started the hare, you shall have my cam
did opinion on the subject We must not
allow the press to take liberties with us; a
man OF the world should be extremely Sc
we're with those who dare to turn his
private life into ridicue Read the article
attentively, and if you are of opinion the
affair should be followed up, which in my
conscience | think it ought to be, why
then, concluded the Major martially, syor
may reckon on my services
"Parbleu! D'Havrecourt, cried Ker.
sent gaily, you won't succeed in setting
ns by the ears
WWhat the article is yours p exclaim
ed the two diners.
=
wMine. Your establishment does no
indicate very hattering estimate of my
literary capacity. Yes, my friends
mean to make myselfa position, aspire t,
become legislator, and by way of gettin,
my hand in, ] write for the Journal de
Glasses. Electors like to find in thei
candidate man Of letters, rich in the hon
ours of plea and long primer. So flatte
the elective weakness; / sacrifice to tn
parliamentary call. All! only let me g
into the Chamber, continued Kersent, in tn
tone Of future tribune, and you shall Sc
me take up solid position. My plans Al
formed Once in the Chamber, / defen
Nfhe partridpe. | plead for the rabbit. l d,