The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1849-12-08

At the seminary he became
IS distinguished as at the college. There
Itill survive few old clergyInen who can
.ecall the eloquent oIations OF the young
student at the weekly exhibitions at ST.
sulpice. Some of these compositions have
been preserved; they are chiefly remsrka-
Die for the artful manner in which the pas
,ions Of the auditory are enlisted against
The adverse side, and their sense of the lu-
1icrous excited at its expense.
AT the age Of seventeen. M. de Talley- |
rand quifrBd tifo seminary, In order u Gulf
plete his theological studies at the Scr
bonnie. The few days which intervened
were passed by him at the family residence.
Up to that period he had neuer spent a
night under the parental roof. Well
might Rousseau illuminate his burning re-
proofs against the high-born mothers of that
time, whom he designates "merciless step
mothers." M. de Tallsyrand was 30 for
tunate as to have for his Preceptor an ex-
cellent man, not many years older than
himself. A strong and lasting affection
subsistsd bstween them. His "dear father
{nnG|GG krceived from him liberal pen
l. Il1of his days; and up to the
year T. sbe period Of the good old
abb1 - bis Anticipated figure, attired
in the 6J111gAe Of the preceding century,
might have been constantly seen in the
princes splendid reception-rooms, his huge
snuf-box and colored pocket-handkerchief
figuring next rich uniforms and brilliant
orders. When he spoke, his former pupil
listened with respectful Difference. Indeed
il is not too much to assert, that whatever
good was mingled with the character Of the
astute diplomatist, might fairly be traced to
the early instruction OF the Able Langlois.
The young Able de Talleyrand's first
appearance in the gay society Of Paris was
at the hotel OF Madame de Brignole. who
was in the habit Of receiving the very elite
of the fashionable world, together with the
lions Of the day. The young man seated
himself in a remote corner, so as to OBJ.
serve the passing scene without taking part
in il. Soon modest, retiring. looking man
came and placed himself near him. This
was Philidor, the celebrated chess player,
who, being frequent visitor at the house,
was able and willing to point out the diff.
lerent distinguished guests to his uninitiated
neighbor. D'Alembert, Diderst, and other
great men were there, and PhiIidor was
complacently commenting OH them, for the
young abbe's edi6cation, when their quiet
corner was suddenly invaded by two young
hussar officers, captain and lieutenant in
regiment especially favored by the un-
happy queen Marie-Antoinette, and also
noted for the free and impairment manners
Of the young men who composed it. The
two officers were laughing heartily at some
exquisite Jest between themselves.
"Come into this corner" said one, land
I'll finish the story; the end Of / must be
reserved for your private ear"
"The corner is taken" replied the other:
81 see Philidor there talking to some young
raven just fedged. and flown from the
seminary"
They'll give up their places. know
Philidors temper; he'll submit, and the
able will follow his example," So say
ing, they approached the two occuples Of
the corner, and with the coolest imperti-
nence began to annoy them by their words
and gestures. Philidor, whose pacific and
timid character was well known, imme-
diately prepared TO retreat. He cast an
imploring glance at the able, complained
Of the heat Of the room, and finally rose
and glided away. The Chevalier de Bou-
flers-one Of the officers-took instant
possession Of the vacant chair, and turning
towards the young able, stared at him with
an insolent expression. The lieutenant
took up his position at the other side, and
looked at Talleyrand in a manner not less
offensive. Not the slightest notice, how.
ever, did the young man take Of either un.
til the officer, tired Of his sang froid, in.
quired eff he did not find the heat oppres.
sivei" and added the advice to initiate his
friend. and seek cooler air in the ante
chamber. Talleyrand, with the utmost
politentss. thanked the officer for his con.
siderate kindness; but begged to assure him
that his own lungs were so very delicate,
that he would fear to encounter the cold
air."
The angry blood mounted in the officers
cheek: he was youth Just come from Nor
mandy, and spoke with his native accent
in all its purity.
"Yon look young. my dear abbe," he
said; perhaps you have not been at school,
and are not aware that you have yet many
things to learn; amongst the rest -
"a thousand pardonsl" interrupted the
able, standing up, looking foil at his ad-
versary, and initiating TO perfection the
Norman accent. 81 assure you hare
been at school; | learned all my letters,
and know that A B (abbe) is not C d
(cedsr. yield;| and. moreover. that your
E p (epee, sword) will not make me o r
(oter, go away BY this time number
Of the guests had collected, and received
TalleyTand's sally with a peal Of hearty
laughter. The Chevalier de Bouflers him.
self applauded; but the discounted Nor.
man, having no reply ready, took himself
of as fast as possible. Madame du Def
fand happened to be in the room. She
heard the repartec, and expressed wish to
have tie author introduced to her. This
was done by De Bou6lers himself. This
illustrious lady, who was blind, Invited the
young able to be seated next to her. She
passed her venerable hand over his face, in
order to examine the features, which she
could not see, and then said, "Go. young
man.; nature has endowed you with her
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