The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-11-11


my psincss He looks ooldly on you; be will
cri,icise aud avoid you; perhaps become
your enemy; there is no help for it,
Let not this lesson, sir, be thrown away
upon you; and when you see his brother
Don Gaetano Colonna approach you, take
care that your amiable manner should at
once express to him. j am truly happy 10
make your acquaintance; / desire your
friendship, and offer you mine; and (here
little pride and self-possession will not
be amiss)-it is worth having
always be cordial without empressment,
Monsieur lie Prince. Believe me. il is the
best plan, The modern fashion Of stiffness
is never proof against an affable manner;
one in which dignity is blended with kind
ness is The most suitable.
Now, sir, let US descend few steps.
Salute some famous virtuoso: salute him
frankly, cordially. Take care what you
are about, Monsieur lie Prince; do not be in
hurry. Behold in this celebrated artist
the delight Of whole empire; man Of
nothing exalted to the skies--one whom
monarchs cherish, whom they ennoble and
enrich. Represent to yourself old Vestris
honored with pension, decorated with the
black ribbon, which | would have there
now, sir (pointing TO his breast.) il it were
not for this Lucfer revolution. Behold in
me the Chevalier Vestris Salute, sir-sa-
lutte; little lower il you please, sir; there,
that will do
The dearest object Of Ves,ris' ambition
was to be decorated with the black ribbon
OF the order Of st. Michael; and it was i'm
possible to enlighten him as TO the unsuita-
bility Of such an honor being conferred up
on a public dancer, even though he were
the most distinguished Of bis profession.
Al the time when the aged Marechal de
Richlieu was lying on his death bed, YES
iris was continually in his ante-chamber ur-
gently requesting to see him on matter Of
great importance. Being dt length admit
ted to the marechal's presence he entreated
Of the dying mar to obtain for him the joint
solicitations Of the four first lords Of the
bed chamber. begging Of the king to be-
: stow upon him the honor he 20 much cOvet
: ed. 'Signor Vestris,' replied the marechal,
it is not fitting that | should write on this
subject to the king; but promise you thai
on my first attendance at Versailles, will
speak TO his majesty concerning you
oh! my lord, may hope half
Il can answer for nothing, but for my
e speaking OF it to the king, if ever leave
Z my bed again; and you may depend upor
it my request will make him smile
The marechal died, and Vestris never at
/ tanned the object Of his fond ambition.
e He was also subject to the lesser vanity
e Of desiring to conceal his age, and took in
lcredible pains TO deceive others in this mat
IS ter. A celebrated danseuse having one da,
! acknowledged, amid large circle, her OBJ
d legations to him as her teacher--'Oh! mig
IS aonne Rosettef he replied, you talk Of hav
;: ing taken lessons from me; but, my dea
d madame, you were teacher yourself lon
n before | had any pupils. | really do be
,; !ieve,' continued he, addressing the friend
l. who we've present. really do believe sh
81 takes me for Old Saturn, or for the Destin
D. OF Homer
n Such were the loibles Of this eccentri
T. man, who united the Utmost nidiserie an
l. chorographical fanaticism with an extraor
IS binary degree Of acuteness Of perception
ie and originality Of mind. Not only was b
a looked upon as one Of the singularities Q
lie the eighteenth century, but also was he es
e teemed by those who knew him on accoun
d Of his many amiable qualities; and we
5 not detail his weaknesses in a spirit O
D. mockery or ridicule, for who among US ca
n boast Of icing free from the petty foible
"a Of humanity? Happy those who are no
L tainted by worse follies than the inofensiv
L ambition and the harmless vanity whic
:, marked the character OF this clever maste
t Of the dance.-Chambers' Journal