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

Wndt u worm oOuk 81 ujis ueocIVcs Dc
done we'll Aim to surpsss every one in |
the line of life you have adopted, and sue
cess is scarcely doubtful! Such appear to
have been the maxims that guided the elder
Vestris in his grand efforts TO put himselfat
the head Of the dancing world. Was YES
iris wrong? Certainly not; be not only
carried of the highest honors Of his profess
sion, but was able to inspire his son Au-
guste with proper spirit Of emulation. A
notice Of few traits Of the character and
history OF this remarkable man may amUse
leisure moment.
VestIis was the son Of painter OF some
merit at Florence. and coming to Paris in
the latter half OF the eighteenth century,
soon became the idol Of the public, as well
as Of the court Of Versailles, where he ac-
quired the fattering cognomen Of LIE Disu
de la Danse. sf
Auguste Vesiris was also favorite at
court, and sometimes presumed so far on
the kindness Of his royal protectIess, Marie
Antoinette, as to decline dancing on very
slight and frivolous pretexts. This occur
ring once when Marie Antoinette had ex-
pressed her purpose Of being present at the
Opera, he was instantly arrested. His faith
er, alarmed at the consequences Of such fol
ly and imprudence, fastened to intreat the
queens pardon through the medium Of one
Of her ladies-in-waiting.
| My son, said he, could not surely have
been aware that her majesty meant to hon
or the house with her presence, otherwise,
can it be believed that he would have re-
fused to dance before his generous benefac-
tress? am grieved beyond the power OF
depression at this misunderstanding between
the Houses Of Vestris and Bourbon, which
have always been on the very best terms
since our removal from Florence to Paris
| My son is an desespoir at so unhappy an
Occurrence, and will dance like an angel il
her majesty will graciously command him
to be set at liberty
| The young man was instantly restored to
Geedom; and on appearing before Marie
Antoinette, surpassed himself in the grace
ful exercise Of his talent The queen ap.
plauded him; and as she was about TO leave
her box, the elder Vestris presented his son,
who came to return her thanks.
'Ah, Monsieur Vestris' said Marie An.
toinette to the father, you never danced a:
wellas your son has done this evening"
Il That is very likely, madame, replied the
, old man; for, please your majesty, never
had Vestris for my teacher
Then, rejoined the queen smiling, fh,
merit, doubtless. is chiefly yours; and in
deed | never can forget your dancing tn,
Minaet de la Cour with Mademoisell,
Guimard; it was quite gem of art
Wherein the veteran artist raised hi
head with that grace which was quite pecu
liar to HIMSELF for, filled as he was witt
amour propre to a ridiculous degree, thi
e old man had the noblest manners possible
Many grand seigneur might have envie,
+ him the graceful and digni6ed ease witt
!. which he was 80 eminently gifted by nature
and several scions Of nobility placed them
selves under his tuition, to learn the secre
. Of that County address which was so essen
tlal 10 their rank and position in life. o.
such occasions he would often make obseI
n vations full Of originality, and which ind
n Gated subtle discernment of the follie
a and weaknesses Of the great world. On
0 OF his pupils happening to be present at
e lesson which ne was giving the Prince d
a Lamarck, was so much diverted at the ton
4 and style of his instructions, that he note,
, down his words, which have been trans
!, mitted to US in the memoirs Of contempt
!, rary; and they are so characteristic of hin
as TO carry us back to the princely salo,
where Vestris discoursed with all the gravi
ty OF philosopher on those minutie OF Ell
quette, which, in the eighteenth century
were regarded as matters Of deep import
Z snce.
!. Let us then hold up our heads, and len,
= docile ear TO the courtly maxims Of Il
j Diu de la Danse, as he was wont to cal
: himself in his broad. Italianised French.
!, Let us see, Monsieur lie Prince. There
0 there-very well. Salute frst-salute-
: her majesty, the empress Of Germany. All
s lower, sir-lower (the last word in quick
impatient tone.) You must remain three
3 quarters of second, sir, before you attemp
D to rise. There-thst will do very well -
, In rising, sir, you must turn your head gen
: tly and modestly towards the right hand o
her imperial and apostolical majesty. his
} that hand which bears the sceptre (without
however, presuming to raise your eyes I,
} the august countenance Of the sovereignty
, You must not, sir, give any sort Of ex
: preston to your physiognomy, while salu
ting so great princess. A certain air o
respect, and even Of fear, should pervad,
your whole person, and in so awful mo
ment, will not diminish aught from tt,
gracefulness of your figure.
You may represent to yourself so many
dazzling crowns, magnificent titles, domn
ions, supremacies; so many past ages o
power, mighty victories, and other sublime
thoughts. until you are penetrated with ven
Grafton. That is all, SIR
Now. Monsieur lie Prince, salute Mad
anne lie Landgrave de Hesse Darmstadt. All
that is too low-too low by four inches
You saluEe her as if she was a queen.
Shade! sir-shade! Begin again if you
please, All, that is we'll. Brapissima.
mente' You must not forget that it is but
landgrave you are saluting, after having
lust quilted the imperial court of Luxem.
burg. Now let your eye rest moment on
the venerable lady-in-waiting. and say to
her by your courteous glance and smile,
"Apart from the trammels of etiquette, |
offer you, Madame la Comtesse, all the les.