Democratic banner., 1847-05-17
COURT GOSSIP.

"aoSI CAlulSlIc VI DcilSS. IAS COdI was
more recherche, his linen winter, his trousers
n0tHer, his cravat glossier, and his French
leather boots more brilliantly bright than
the coat, c~ravat, boots or breeches of any
man in st. Petersburgh. In full dress, he
was a mortal miraicle. Now, it happens
that passengers on the street of the capital
are lot only obliged to remain in them, as
related in the anecdote published in the last
number of the Home Journal, but if they
are riding or driving, they must descend
from their horses or vehicles. and remain on
the pavement, until the Imperial cOrtege
has passed.
One day Monsieur de " was driving
along in his carriage, in full consume:
when the coach of the sovereign hoved in
sight in the distance. The day was wet,
drlzzly, dirty and the streets were covered
with mud. This was a disagrceable position
for our dancing master; but there was no es-
cape. The law was imperative and his
coachman stopped. In due time the royal
vehicle approached, and thinking that it
would be a permitted compromised de
V-descended to the lowest step of his
coach, where he stood, hat in hand, and
saving his sohes from the contamination of
the pavement. Sed rana spes! As the En-
peror's carriage came near him it moved
slower and slower; and when it arrived d.
rectly opposite, it stopped entirely.
The Frenchman's heart palpitated anxi-
ously, and indeed fukered not a little when
he perceived the Emperor's head thrust
out of tie window conversing with an aid
de camp who had spurred up to the coach
when it halted. Presently the eyes of
the takers were turned to the miserable
dandy; and the MD de camp wheeled his
horse directly towards him.
81 believe | have the pleasure to address
Monsieur dc W" said the officer very
courteously-"and, if | am not deceived
In my surmise as to your name-his High
ness the Emperor, desires the favor Of a
moments conversation with you!" Tho
request Of a Sovereign is always an ORDER;
and good manners, as well as good law,
permitted no resistance; so with a shud6er
and a sigh, the polished pumps of the luck
less dancer sank into the oozing mud of St.
Petersburgh. Picking his way like a spi-
der over a hot gridiron, de N-soon stood
at the window of the carriage, and bowed
in silence, to the autocrat.
"Aha! aha! Monsieur de "" ex-
claimed Nicholas, "Je suis charnle derOur
UOir! | am delighted to see you. | have
Hinged to meet you. Let Inc repeat it, cir,
/ am enchantedto behold you, and the more
so because | am told you are the most &C.
complished professor of your beautiful art
has ever visited my capitol. Oh don't
bow, sir, and deny it; Pm sure that report
hasent done you half the justice you deserve.
PGrbLeu! when l saw you Just now, the
oldest fancy in the world, do you known.
seized me. Pm dying to see you dance !!
C'est vrai, c'est vrai and so eager too am l.,
Nm cher de =, that l can't loose an
The day is bad, it is true and the
street is not over clean; yet what are such
obstacles to a man ofyour muscle! De v
| must have an extemporaneous polka be-
fore | huge from this spot!"
You may imagine the dismay ofthe dane
master when he heard the irresistible
request, and met the cold hooking eye of
the Emperor. "Your Imperial Highness
will pardon me-but l would suggest that
the exhibition would be more gratifying in
the palace, where l will'-
ooh, no matter, sir, for the ~palace;" in
terrupted Nicholas,-ssthe more dirt the
more difficulty, the more difficulty the more
skill !"
"But have 10 music, sir"
"Come sir, en- avant, or I shall call q
gems d. arme for afddier!"
"Itis quite needless"' gloaned the dane
ing master, as he put himself in a position
and squared away for the dance.
Mighty, that ~day-mighty was the aston
ishment ofthe mud of st. Petersburgh,-if|
mud ever gets astonished, as it is said by
L. E. l.. to get into s.high spirits when it be-
comes dusty on a windy day" Hopping,
skipping, bounding, jumping, leaping,-like
that ofthe unfortunate de v never was
perpetrated before or since on any highway
of Europe or America. The Emperorlook-
ed on with decorous gravity, applauding
each excellent pas, and becoming raptur-
Gus over the grace and agility Of the unwill-
ing exhibitor. At last, the strength of the
failed, but not until he was thoro-I
ughly bespattired.
"Do not fatigue yourself mon cher, to
Inc any more," said the Emperor
when dr. E-stonned SLet me thank