The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1851-11-17

The following curious sketch of part of strange
y varied life, is taken from the Jsulieton of Pa.
risan journal OF October, IA:
The arcades and gardens Of the Palas RoyaIe
have just lost Of their Oldest snd most constant
ha6aues, IN the person OF a little, md.eyed old
man, WHO used to come every day, with his placid
smile, to take his walk there, and sit in the open
air, when the weather permitted. His indiffefent
appearance, bis simplicity Of manners and his piain
dress, announced modest, social rank, and a
humble fortune. He was a wonted sight to the
louBgers, to the children, and their nurses. The
sparrows that sport thete.ha learned to trust in
the heHdly old man, and came boldly to pick the
crumbs thap hs distributed to them from his break.
fast loai. He loved to chat with his aequaintances
oi the earden whether they were castors Ia mode
or the fiat cap. He would have Joined in ihe game
OF the children, stopping the sfrant hoop of an un.
skii'u driver, or throwing back the ball that fell
al his ieeet. Ii the sun siione brightly he would
go towards noon to see the solar. cannon, which
always furnished new pleasure. Such is the life
OF some worthy citizens Who content with their
moderate income, spend their last days in quieness,
at peace with the past, content with the present,
not seeking 10 plan for the future. 1- =
No one who has observed him, in this latter
state, would have dreamed for q moment what he
once had been If one had told you that this little,
old man, with his plump periphery and rounding
back, was ore of the most attractive cavaliers OF
his time, you would have answered: That NAV
be; such transformations are common enough,
brought about BY the ravages of time. But you would
have been astonished to hear in addition that fhis
plainly dressed man had right to cover bis thread
bare coat with rIbands, and crosses and stars and
to put the collar of the Golden Fleece on his old
black crayat This man once held the destnies of
hole people in his hands, and held sway of do.
minon without curb or limit he was the favorte
of queen, the master of king, and ruled a great
kingdom, as though he had been hs sovereign.
twenty sheets Of parchment would not contain the
list of his titles and digni,ies. That ring upon his
finger, is the insignia Of his marriage with the In
fania OF Spain, a princess of the house of Bourbon
In fine, this poor devil, whom you take for some re-
lted shop keeper Is no other than Monsiegnenr,
Don Manuel Godoy, Duke of Alcadia and Prince
of Peace. sts1i
Yes, it was really ke-that humble promenader
OF the Palals Royal: And after all, why wonder
at The me'amorphosls ia this age of startling down.
falls How many Of these shades we have seen
pass by. How many of these pale phantou,s Of
departed grandeur He, like so many others, was
TOR those who knew his name and the romantic
b.ii'ance OF his early history, only subject for
s phi'osophic reflections At favortes ut Court BE-.
gin alike, and succeed by like means and adyan.
tages. Don Msnuet had good figure and an
agreeable face he 4sang prettily and touched the
RI guitar skiltully; he made an elegant appearance
IN The splendid uniform Of the body guard he was
full OF grace and spirit, of peaaing address, bold
presumlng shc gave htte heed to the Spanish
proverb that says "Touah not the Queen. y
d What more did te want to make his fortune at |,
gallant Court, governed by feeble King and his
passionate consort +s-~st
He had the fortune of Potemkin. buf not. hi,
genius AZ twenty,eight he was Prime Minister
laden with honors; the first grandee Of the realm
allied to the Royal family, nephew in.law to the
King, All that, but to fall The further, and Z
leave little void among the loungers Of tie Paa,
Royal. : =
A, the Easter vacations next spring, when ,ht
theatrical year recommences, the dramatic artistic.
WHO come 10 Paris to seek engagements at tha
season, and TO establish their centre of operations
in the garden of the Paiais Royal, will all inquirt
what IS become of the pleasant old gentleman ~ht
had made himself their friend, As soon as the,
had reached headquarters, at the close of tbt
country campaign, Godoy would come TO NEE
them and install himself in their midst He knew
them all and loved them he took pleasure in Ilei
conversation, questioned them about THEN sue
cessss and failures, and listened with interest t.
the chronicles of The 'green-room. No one wa
better informed Than he as to the condition Of az
IN the provinces; no Ole had his memeory so vel
stored with the personal movements and position
of the dramatic army in the Departments HI
knew all their names, and their history from thei
first debut. He was known 10 them only unde
the name Of Manuel, for he carefully preserve,
his incognto and the secret Of his past greatness
More than olce. managers in quest of subject
for their theatres, offered him engagements The,
would say: You would suit the part of respect
able old father most admirably. VIII you sngag
as regular stock actor! i rhayesa pr0mpter'
birth 10 fill I; or there is a stage managsr's pac
vacant The Prince used 10 reply modes,ly, tha
ne did not think he had; enough talent for an ar
ist; and, for The other proposaisl that his yer
'nooeia.e income enabled him to decline them. :
,.,,,. 'au h as that income was, however, he aide
,y;,h, ,h ns purse such unlucky actors a. RENAME
,he "nfortp ensagement and resource He shared viii
,,a e ai'ior.unate the Artle thar he had ana cor
Tented himself with the remainder@h. n ,sho ~, hs
us .eea 20 ,ond of magni6cencs, SO lavish ia q,
Iss 81 snais s1 snS S1a a. si.n w The
cline of liz, conIs 'rs ,sn dndiss and who. in the d
fortune 10 those who taxed him with psculs,;o u
aud e.torlion, and with having carried away mi
lions into exile" ~ Et
Don Manuel Godoy. who once dwelt in palace
apartment IN tts rsss De Z Mioked;as, natso