The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1849-10-27

tie, kind, and loving. anxious to please,
and fearful to offend. If you are. Christian
women, you are meek ard lowIy of heart,
full Of pity and charity. Of goodwill mani
tested in kindly words and benevolent
works. Let these things be added to your
beauty, and see, in the example before us,
how enduring is its empirel
II is true that Mime. Recamier was gift
ed with a corporeal grace which is noi to
be acquired, and which admirably second
ed the grace Of soul that inspired her love-
ly person. This was striking TO the last.
Even when bowed BY age, and moving
about with the uncertain step and gait OF
the blind, this did not fonsake her. There
was gentleness and siavity in all her,
movements that excited admiration, even
in the midst Of the tender pity she excited.
Ii is probable that the impression she made
on me was stronger and more beautiful in
her age and darkness, than it would have
been had seen her in the pride Of her
beauty and the !ri,lmphs Of her charms
| Ii is certain that those who had known her
in the plenitude Of her power never forsook
her. and that the attachments she inspired
ended only with life.
At the time that became resident in
Paris, | heard that Mime. Recamier had
ceased to receive strangers. Her sight, al
forwards completely extinguished, was al
ready dimmed; her health was extremely
delicate, and, as che afterwards told me
with her gentle smile, she did not care to
have people come only to look at the once
beautiful Nine. Recamier. had, there
fore, not the smallest hope of seeing per-
son concerning whom felt SO much curl
osity and interest, and it was with equal
surprise and pleasure that | accepted the
kind permission of her niece, Nine. Lee
normant, TO accompany her one evening to
the Abbaye aux Bots. From that time |
became as frequent visitor as all the OBJ
stacles intsrposed by great distance, health,
weather, and occupation, would allow me-.
For long Time before her death (says
Nine. LenomanD she had ceased to make
visits, but her saIon was open every day
before and after dinner. Before dinner
(from three to six) was particularly devoted
to M. de Chateaubrand. Every day, with
out fail, be came at three, and did not 90
ill six. During the last two years, ais
Ualet de ehaM5re and another servant
brought him into the room in his arm
Ichair.
NJ. de Chateaubriand had entirely lost
the use Of his legs. When first saw him
his very elegant head wore no appearance
Of illness; he was still a singularly hand
some old man, but it was evident that he
suffered morally as well as physically from
an infrmity which exhibited him in SO
helpless state. Even then, M. de Cha
tesubriand spoke little, and often appeared
10 take little part in the conversation. He
spoke to me occasionally Of England and
IN foreboding tone. He did not like the
reform-bill; he augured no good from free
trade agitation, and seemed TO fear that we
were on declivity. Considering the state
Of his health and spirits, and the nature Of
his political opinions, this was to be expect
ed. His appearance and manner were
hose of the most perfect breeding and cour-
tesy. M. de Chsteaubnand was the prn.
cipal person in the group which formed it.
self round Nine. Recamier, and the object
Of the utmos, respect and attention. There
was something imposing in his silence and
in his high-bred air, which well fitted him
for the place he filled.
Those Says Nine. LenormanD who
have seen them during the last two years,
who have seen Nine. RecamIer, blind, but
retaining the sweetness and brilliancy of
her eyes, surrounding the iIlustrlous friend
whose age had extinguished his memory,
with cares so delicate, so tender, SO watch.
lul; have seen her Joy when she bel ped
him 10 snatch momentary distraction from
the conversation which passed around him,
by leading it to subjects connected VITA
that remoter past which still fingered in his
memory-those persons will never forget
the scene; for they could not help being
deeply affected with pity and respect at the
sight of that noble beauty, brilliancy and
genius. bending beneath the weight Of age,
and sheltered with such ingenious tender
ness by the sacred friendship of a woman
who forgot her own in6rmities in the en-
deavor 10 Tighten his.
Nine. Lenormant- is right in saying that
II is impossible TO forget this touching scene
How distinctly is she now before me, as
she seized my hand, on one Of my latest
visits to the Abbaye aux Bots, and said
rapidly in her sweet low voice, "Do not
speak to him; talk across him." Al that
time he had sunk into almost unbroken 81.
lence, but she never gave up the chance
that conversation might afford him mo-
mentary amusement.
Ii is characteristic of Nine. Recamier's
unselhsh nature, that after the operation for
cataract had proved unsuccessful, and she
had to resign herself to hopeless darkness,
she remarked that an infnmity which was
inconvenient only to herself was the one
which she could the most easily submit to.
| remember on one occasion when called
on her, and she fancied that she had neglec.
ted some act of courtesy, she said, with her
sweet smile, and as if excusiag herself,
IN est 81 incOmrode detre apeugle." As
if the chief value of sight was the power it
gives Of ministering to the pleasure Of 9th
ersl
Next on the list Of those who daily as
SAMPLED about Nine. Recamier, was the
venerable and amiable Ballanche-that in
comparable friend, who from the moment
be beheld her devoted his life to her. No