The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1849-04-14


relt il 20 be an irksome occasion. ard thai
he was al a loss 10 scluit himself satislacto
rily. After few woods Of consolation, he
rose TO take his leave, visbly pleased that
the selfimposed task was at an end. Here
the prince, with bis usual tact came TO his
relief slightly rising. and introducing to
his notice those by whom he was surrounded
his physician. bis secretary. and his prin-
cipal valet. A Renaissance Of the old
courtier seemed 10 come across him, for with
his parting salutation he could not forbear
a compliment. ''Sire, our house has re-
ceived, this day, an honor which my sue
cessors will remember with pride and graf
itude." a
must confess was grievously disap-
pointed in the anticipations had formed oil
this visit. had looked upon it as the CRATE
ful farewell Of the safely landed voyager to
the wise and sklfnl pilot who had steered
him successfully through rock and breaker,
and now was pushing of alone into hidden
depths to be seen no more. But no, there
was only the Impotence, ill-concealed. oil
one to whom the scene was painful, That
it was painful, who can doubti There was,
too, an evident sslfapplause in the perform
snce OF disagreesble duty; but not the
slightest expression Of friendship and alta b.
Iment, such as | had presumed in some sort
bound these great personages together. A
friend Of mine, a man of sense and discern
ment, to whom | made this observation. re-
piled, at is plain that the king had 10 fear
20 see him die; but wait awhile, and we shall
see that he will have reason TO regret that
he should be dead"
Il il was a kind ,ofrelief during this con-
strained interview to perceive the anxious
feminine furry Of Madame Adelaide. She
seemed to suffer much uneasiness lest the
t GOODNESS Of her royal brother should be no.
a iced, and endeavored, by kindly display
3 OF busy politeness, to make amends. as il
, were for what was wanting elsewhere.
\ should not have dwelt thus infinitely
. upon the details Of this occasion, had il not
been viewed in another light by many
Astonishment and admiration have been
. expressed at this remarkable act OF condo
: scension on the part Of Louis Philippe. as
4 though royalty were exempt from the debt
! OF manly and honorable gratitude. MOI
/ one Of the sovereigns under whom he had
served but would have hurried to the death
! bed Of this, their great counsellor.
Shortly after The departure of the king
symptoms Of dissolution became apparent
D The whole family Immediately gathered
B round the bed. The Duke de p. was ther
!, among the number. Solemn as was thu
e moment, ! could not divest myself Of sa
tirical observation / remembered to hav,
4 been made by the, prince upon this person
Il age. Not long before the former had re
y ceived ceremonious visit from the duke
!. and after his formal esve-taking, he remark
d ed, Zone would think by the dukes melan
/ choly vsage, he had been sent by an un
ldertaker TO take orders for funeral"
e Towards the middle of the day, the prime,
|, lstil breathing, withdrew for momen
; from the close air OF the chamber and pass
It ed into the drawing room. Verify wa
IS astouDded at the scene there encountered
a Never shall | forget the transition from
|, the silent room, the bed Of suffering. to tina
o crowded saloon. There 'Ifoops OF friends,
# and all the elect, so regarded. Of Partisan
, society. were congregated. There was :
y knot OF. busy politicians, with ribbons a
: their butlon-holes, gathered about the fire
y their animated conversation, conducted in
e low tone, filled the apartment with its un
e ceaSing nlurmur. observed few of III,
: diplomstist's oldest friends. who had com,
: hther from sincere concern for him, who
: took no part in the conversation. In one
corner was seated oOterie Of ladies discuss
4 ing topics entirely foreign to the time arc
{ place. Sometimes a low burst Of ligh
; laughter would issue from among them, ia
spite Of the reprimanding 'fhush" which is
sued from another quarter Of the rOom.--
+ On the sofa, near the window, reclined the
young and beautiful Duchess dc Y. with o
bevy Of the young beaux, allstting around
her on the cushions Of the divan.
/ ALI this carried me back TO the days oil
t Louis Quatorze, and the death bed of Card.
nal Mazarin. There was the same indif
ference, the same WEAKNESS Of expectation.
Some were gathered there from respect to
the family, some from curiosity, some from
mere idleness, and few from real friend
lship. These last alone seemed to remem-
Der that mighty spirit was passing from
earth, and that they were there assembled
during a mortal struggle. Presently, 81
lence fell upon all, for door which led to
the Princes room opened, and one of the
servants entering, with most portentous
countenance, went up TO DIR. c., who had
accompanied me to the saloon, and whis-
peIed a few words in his ear. They were
instinctively comprshended. The phys-
clan proceeded directly TO the prince, and
all who were present crowded. after him.
VI. Talleyrand was seated on the bedside,
reclining upon his secretary. He looked
round, and appeared TO take cognisance Of
all present. His face was lit up by an
expression which seemed to say, IL yield
TO the last enemy; not conquered, but sur
rendering willingly" By many present
he was regarded with veneration and graft
tude-by all with the involuntary homage
which true greatness ever commands. The
aged friend Of his maturity, the fair young
idol Of HE ase, knolt down together near
him, and IL the words Of comfort whispered
by the priest did not reach his failing sense
it was because their sound was stifed BY
the irrepressible sobs Of those he loved.
Ere nightfall the chamber which had been
crowded to excess was empied, and the
report had flown from il in every direction, l
thar Tallavrand uas daad Tba sar,,,n,.