The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1854-09-15
in the costume Of divinity; her covering

had never before presented Ideal form anu
colorng equal TO This example OF living ma
lure. Painters aud scnl piors We'd in rival.
dry TO copy from This divine original
Among them, Ronney, one Of The leading
artists OF the day produced many duplicates
Of The same lovely counienance He paint.
ed the fair Emma as the goddess Of The
LEADING heroines Of poetry and the drama.
These portraits being engraved, multiplied
throughout Europe The features Of the un.
known beauty. Romney, like Apelles,
subdued by Campaspe, became enanored
of his model, and carried her off from Ora.
ham as an exhansiless treasure OF art and
forlune. He sold for their weight in gold
her portraits, either as the sorceress Gree,
or as innocence holding n sensitive plant,
and asionished nj the motion OF The flower.
This anonymous publicity at The same time
protected her modesiy. The produce of
her attitudes. which sha rccaived Gom
Graham and Romney, enabled her 10 live
in London in the shadow OF respectable re.
liremcnt. The celebrated Madame LcbIun,
artist in ordinary TO The Queen OF France,
Marie Anionieie painted her at this time as
Bacchan,e, AMI carried her features over
10 France. A young Englishrnan. Of The
illuslrious House Of Warwick, Mr.. Greville,
nephew 10 Sir William Hamilton, Ambas.
sador 10 Naples. discovered Emma in this
obscuriiy. Passion made him believe IN
her virtue he loved and eudeavored TO
seduce her. Whether she really desired TO
redeem the errors of her early life, or pre-.
ferred an honorable name TO large fortune,
she steadily resisted his solicitations, and
was only won by promise Of marriage as
soon rs ths consent, of his family could be
conquered by perseverance,. They lived
as man and wife during several years.
Three children followed this secret union,
and nothing for lime disturbed their hap.
piness. Emma, always grateful and warm
hearted, even AT The expense OF pride, sen,
for her indignant mother 10 reside with her,
and treated her with respect and kindness,
in spite Of her servie condition.
In 1889, after this interval Of domestic
happiness, constantly interrupted by the ro.
mances of hi relations, Grevlle, deprived
Of his salaries Of office, aud pressed by &C.
cumua,el debt, hesi,ated between the ne
cessily and sorrow Of casting off the woman
he considered hi, wife. Their mutual grief
at the prospect OF separation, poisoned the
last days Of their intercourse. AT this crisis,
Greville's uncle. Sir William Hamilton,
arrived in London. He was unmarried,
master OF large fortune, and intended his
nephew for his heir. But his arisiocralic
consequence revolled from the idea OF &C.
knowledging as his grand nephews the chill.
dren Of prostitute. He refused either to
consent 10 :hc marriage Of Greville, or 10
pay his debls the nephew saw no resource
but in The in,ercesson Of his mistress. En-
ma, n, his suggestion, atlired herself in the
garb OF her infancy, and in stuff gown
and straw hat, waited upon his uncle. She
threw herself at his feet, confessed her fault,
shed tears as persuasive as they were gen.
uine, appealed to The tender pledges OF her
love, aud besought Sir William to pardon
The father and mother, for The sake Of
the unfortunate children. Her triumph
was more signal than she anticipated
The old man, fascinated By her features and
accents, which surpassed all he had ever
looked OF or listened 10, either in The classic
masterpieces Of Aihenian slaiuary, or on
fhe volup,uous boards of the Italian opera
houses, yielded TO the seduclions which had
enchanted his nephew. The same love
which he had refused to understand, re-
venged itself by reducing him 10 the hral-
dom Of Greville. ....'.
The beauty of Emma overpowered him,
and, like one seized by sudden madness.
he forgot, ailer two or three interviews, his
aye, his rank, his repugnance 10 matrimony,
her obscure birth and irregular life, The mu-
tual affection long subsisting between her
and her paramour, living pledges of their
love, scandal and infamy of traffic in
female charms; and finally, purchased The
possession OF The vena beauty by the dis.
charge OF his nephew's mbarrassmen,s.-
They were privately married in London,
AMI Sir William hasicned back 10 Naples
with his prize, leaving his union undec!ared.
Her beauty dazzled Italy as !, had Mevious.
ly fascinated England Bu, the knowledge
OF her avocalion as a model, which could
not be concealed, and rumor of the shame
less bargain between the uncle and nephew,
preceded her 10 Naples. The ambassador,
10 s,ifle these reports, and re-esiablish his
idol, was compelled TO the ceremony Of n
public marriage. Scandal disappeared be-
lore the rank and resis!less charms Of the
young embassadress. She was presented
a, court, and at the first glance won tbs
admiration and enthusiastic attachment Of
the Queen. ..l
To say the least, il is generous 10 believe
iba, Nelson did mol know the charming
Emma's an!eceden,. His spontaneous love
arose for Lucy Hamilton, 10 all appearances
rs distinct being as could be conceived
from the ragged wanderer of London streets,
or the woman who sa, as model OF Circe
or Bacchan,e. This enchaniress exercised
a stern influence over the conduct Of Mel
son so stern, that il lefl deep and ever.
lasting shadows on The splendid fame Of the
hero. ..u ."'.