Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-03-03

Lurury.
The following amusing story on our accom-
pished Minister to France, is told in an agreea-
bic letter from Paris to the Philadelphia Bulletin.
1t will doubtless remind many of our readers of
a sibillant peculiarly in Mr.. Rives' speech.
which however, does not detract from the admi-
rable grace of his elocution The French are
fond of ridculing the English tongue as la lam
que des serpents, because of the sharp sound
which it generally gives to the letter S, and we
suppose an American or Englishman, whose pro-
nunciation of that dissonant is remarked in his
own country, must particularly offend the Paris
ian or continental taste. But to the story
There is an anecdote in circulation in the diplo-
matte circles which has met with unbounded success.
Not bit OF malice in it and less wit, but quite good
enough TO raise laugh among dplomaiss who are
dry bodies at the best All OF them Were assembled
the Other day, at the dinner table OF the Spanish AM
tassador, the Duke OF Soto Mayor, and as usual
engaged in talking around the subject of the political
questions OF Europe-ea trying to talk good deal
| without saying anything The Prince Canak the
Turkish minister, was holding forth to the noble host
on the German conferences at Dresden, on Radetzky.
and divers other interesting matters when he perceived
that he had not very attentive listener. The Duke
was looking earnestly up the dome window which
lights the hail. being fitted up with double sashes, the
them.
What's the matter your Excellency7" said the orr
enta minister, you appear distracted"
Yes, answered the Duke, "ever since we have been
at table hear twteling, whistling and hssina aud
suppose some bird has got in between the sashes or
IS on the the cornce work OF the room but can't see
anything"
AT this answer, all the guests burst into fit of home
c laughter that would have done honor to the table OF
Jupiter himself Our Minister, who was at the lower
end OF the table, where he had been talking about al
and DRAGON w tha yinop
now turned and asked the OF the unusual harity
The question redoubed the peas of laughter for the
Kissing and whistling OF which the Duke sought the
cause, was nothing else than the peculiar accent of
MIR. Rves himself. When he speaks the French ina o.
inc they hear whole cageul Of canaries and unets-
This story has been thought such good here that
the newspapers have caught it up and printed it, Mr.
Rives and the Americans laugh at it with the rest
lie can do so with good grace, because he is the on
iy one OF our representatives on the continent who
speaks the French, or any foreign language 1t is diff
cult 10 conceive what spite cabinet has against
those unfortunate gentleman that it should wreak it
by sending them to be the butt of ridicuIe Tor year
together at foreign courts. Few have nelve enough
to stand it longer
The Bulletins corresponds mt, in the same let
ter, relates the following anecdote of one of the
urats, formerly resident of Philadelphia
Let us commence anecdote OF our former es.
teemed fellow citizen and now prince, Murat 1t Illus
trates his fierce resolution and you know what ,iper
he is when once set on, to make his new dignity re-
spected At the late banquet given by Pref ct Berger
10 the esdent the latter being escorted to The
ballroom by the project and member of the City
Council, when Prince Murat nierposed himself be.
tween the councillor and the president with "Purdon
monsieur but am ambassador and take piece dence of
you. The eJecled gentleman, instead of submitting
quietly, as the duty OF plain bourgeois among prn-
ces had the audacty to complain of This treatment and
the affair was likely to end in some scandal when the
president sci every thing right by apoogsng the pre-
iec and promising TO send his cousin. next day 70 do
Wbotber
went or not, am not informed Probably not; for he
has lived long in America and leaned to stand up for
MS rights. lie has produced sensation in Europe
since bis return, and now claims not only immense
amounto property in France, heir his father hut
the crown of Naples and Sicily in the right. Be.
sides s member OF the National Assembly Colonel
oil the National Guard, and will be ambassador as soon
as NJ. Iahte will consent to sign his CREDENTIALS
His Phiadeph friends will be pleased and surprised
to learn that he has been made momber of the Legion
Of Honor on account of his discoveries in chemistry
his honors agree with him. tor he is gaining flesh dali
~ and promises 10 be not only the greatest but the lar
gest man in Europe.
DINING AT THE PEsIDENT'S.
Since the banquet and ball. splendid dinners have sue
ceeded each other, in the region Of the upper ten.
Many OF them have been given at the Elysee. Moth
ing exceed the polteness of the President to the
ministers and members OF the Assembly, except the
slngulary OF the invitations. These resemble mill
tary orders. They run in this Style monsieur
- is informed that he is expected to dine with
the President at 6 O'Clock, on Friday. Signed Bac-
clochl." A member who had received of these
singular mssres answered the Presidentss Secretary
our note informs me that | am expected to dine
with the President Tomorrow, but this must certainly be
an error, as have never received invitation" OF
course, one was Immediately sent in due form. All who
go are delighted with the elegant hospitality of Presi
dent Bonapare; with his sumptuous table, his well train
ed ackeys Uhe old servants OF Louis Phlippe with his
luxurious saloons and galleries, and, above all with the
gentlemanly and dignidsd manners of the host. No
expense IL spared to put everything footing
thy othe prncey head OF a great nation. Already
the three millions voted last summer by the Assembly,
have been spent and debts incurred the OF
near by two!mons olrancs. The annual salary your
Nj Fillmore is only about two weeks pay OF Mr. Bona
pare, but then Mr.. Fillmore is no prince. And if
nation will fancy prince, il must pay tor him; he
not live in hum-drum, economical sort OF way. In
few weeks, another demand for money will be present
ed to the Assembly, which will grant it, OF course,
but after little grumbling.
The Baltimore American ad verting to the failure of
several important measures to receive due consideration
the hand OF the present Congress, adds the follow ing
suggestive remarks;
Whenever the next Congress shall assemble at the
seat oil Government House OF RepreSentatves will
no doubt reflect in It's aspect of the changing
characteristics oe times Since the members OF the pre-
sent House elected the country has gone throguh
period of iransidon the evidences OF which must be
more and more apparent in proportion the poll-
ca elements acquire consistency and conference great
| H., Ept.,e al.z