Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-08-09

every ornamental accomplishment, boastuly dis
pIaved his conquest in public, and left her, when
the squadron sailed, exposed without safeguard to
new seductions.
One of his friends, bearing a noble name, and
possessed of large fortuue carried Oft the faith
less Emma to an estate in the country, treated
her as his wife, made her the queen OF the hunt
inq-parties, fetes, and balls and finally growing
tired of her at the end Of the season, lett her IN
London, at the mercy of chance, necessity ana
crime Thrown back from this golden cioud on
the hard pavement of the metropolis, and depre-
ciated in the eyes of her former protectors by the
publicity of her adventures, Emma was received
by night, and in rags, under the care of one OF
those infamous PROGRESSES who carry on the traoe
of seduction. Accident alone preserved her from
infamy. The woman who had gveo her shelter
struck by the natural grace and modesty OF her
demeanor, and astonished at her overwhelming
charms. introduced her as natural miracle to a
celebrated physician, eminent for his admiration
of female beauty. This was the well-known DR..
Graham, (the inventor of the celestial bed,) vo-
luptuous and mystical quack, who professed 10
worship and to possess some profound lntellgences
respecting the secrets of nature. by which means
he had acquired suspicious and fantastic reputa
ton. DR.. Graham loudly expressed his admIra-
tion at the sight of the young orphan, and liberal
ly rewarded her introducer. He received her In
to his own house, publicly advertised that ne pos
sessed rare example OF the efficacy OF his spe-
cfcs to produce the projections of life, beauty,
and health in human being and called upon
! the increduous to come and convince themselves
by looking on an animated image OF the goddess
Hygeia. At this appeal, addressed to icentious-
ness rather than science, The disciples OF Graham
crowded myseriously TO his amphitheatre. The
unfortunate victim of her own charms appeared
clothed in transparent garments, in the costume
of a divinity her covering scarcely concealed her
bushes.
The pride of the physician, and the enthusiasm
of the spectators, burst forth in loud acclamatlons
Painting and statuary had never before presented
ideal form and coloring equal TO this example OF
living nature. Painters and scuptors Wed In RI
valry to copy from this divine original Among
them, Romney, one of the leading artists of the
day, produced many duplicates of the same lovely
countenance He painted the fair Emma as the
goddesses of the heather mythology. and under
the attributes of the leading herones poetry and
the drama These portraits, being engraved,
multiplied throughout Europe the features OF the
unknown beauty. Romney, like Appelles, sub
dued by Campaspe, became enamored OF his mod
el. and carried her off from Graham as an ex-
hauslless treasure OF art and fortune lie sold tor
their weight in gold her portraits, either as the
sorceress Circe, or as Innocence holding sensl-
tive plant. and astonished at the motion OF the
flower. This anonymous publicity at the same
time protected her modesty. The produce oil her
attitudes, which she received from Graham and
Romney. enabled her to live in London in the
shadow of respectable retirement. The ceebra-
ted Madame Lebrun, artist in ordinary to the
Queen of France, Marie Antolnette, painted her
at this time as Bacchante, and carried her lea
lures over to France. A young Englishlnan. oi
the illustrious House of Warwick, Mr.. Grevlile,
nephew TO Sir William Hamilton. Ambassador al
| Naples. discovered Emma in this obscurlty. Pas
sion made him believe in her virtue; he loved,
and endeavored to seduce her. Whether she re-
ally desired to redeem the errors of her early life
or preferred an honorable name to large fortune,
she steadily resisted his Solicitations and was on
IL won by promise of marriage as soon as the
consent of his family could be conquered by perse-
yerance. They lived as man and wife during
several wears Three children followed this Sc
cret union, and nothrg for time disturbed their
happiness. Emma, always grateful and warm
hearted even at the expense of pride, sent Tor her
INDECENT mother to reside with her, and treated
her with respect and kindness, in spite OF her ser
vile condition.
In 1889, after this interval of domestic happi-
ness, constantly interrupted by the remonstranceS
of his relations, Grevile, deprived of his salaries
Of Office. and pressed by accumulated debt, hesl-
tated between the necessity and sorrow OF casing
off the woman he considered his wife. Their
mutual grief at the prospect OF separation poisoned
the last days of their intercourse AT this Crisis,
Greyille's uncle, Sir William Hamilton, arrived
in London. He was unmarried, master of large
fortune, and intended his nephew Tor his heir.-
But his arlstocratic consequence revolted from lhe
idea of acknowledging as his grand nephews 'he
children of prostitute lie refused either 10 c"i-
sent 10 the marriage of Greville, or to pay his
deb,s. the nephew saw no resource but in the in
tercession of his mistress. Emma. at his sugges-
ton. attired herself in the garb Of her infancy,
and. in stuff gown and straw hat. waited upon
his uncle. She threw herself at his feet confess
ed her fault. shed tears as persuasive as they were
genuine appealed to the tender pledges OF her
love. and 5esought Sir William to pardon the ia
ther and mother, for the sake Of the unfortunate
children. Her triumph was more signal than she
anticipated. The old man. fascinated by features
and accents which surpassed all he had ever look
ed on or listened to- either i'll the classic master
pieces of Athenian statuary, or on the voluPtuous
boards of the Italian opera houses, yielded to Inc
seductions which had enchaned his nephew =
The same love which he had refused to under
stand. revenged itself by reducing him to the
thradom of Greville.
The beauty of Emma overpowered him, and
like one seized by sudden madness, he forgot, al
ter two or three interviews, his aye his rank, ms
repuUnance to matrimonv, her obscure brth ana
irregular life the mutual affection long suosls,'hg
between her and her paramour, the living 2leuSeS
Of their love, the scandal and iniamy ol a tralhc
in female charms and finally purchased the pos
session Of the venal beauty by the discharge ms
ng,,Lvw's ombarrassments They were privately
married in Lendon, and Sir William fastened
back to Naples with his prize. leaving his union
undeclared. Her beauty dazzed Italy as it had
previously fascinated England. But the knowl-
edoe of her avocation as a model. which could not
be concealed, and rumor of the shameless bargain
between the uncle and nephew. preceded her to
Naples The ambassador, to sttie these reports,
and re-estabsh his idol, was compelled to the
ceremony of public marriage. Scandal dlsap-
peared before the rank and resstesS charms OF The
young ambassadress. She was presented at
Court and at the first glance won the admiration
and enthusiastic attachment Of the Queen.
To say the least, it is generous to believe That
Nelson did not know the charming Emma's ante
cedents. His spontaneous love arose tor Lady
Hamilton, to all appearance as distinct being as
could be conceived from the ragged wanderer OF
| London streets, or the woman who sat as model
of a Circe or Bacchante. This enchantress ex-
ercised stern influence over the conduct of Mel
son-so stern, that it left deep and everlasting
shadows on the splendid fame of the hero.
FIaURATIvELY SPEAKING.-B Brown sent Smith
present Of painting of pair of ducks, nicely
finished in oil, and accompanied the gift with this
te:-"Dear Smith: | send you present Of
game, which please accept "a pair of ducks
real canvas back Yours, Brown" Smith ac
knowledged the gift, and in return. sent an en-
rravinr of ssIhe Catchinm Grenn ,rnrtln In the