Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-04-13

b;,osa,f and at that moment pouring out one
of liza delicious waltzes, and You may appre-
1 cate the exhilaration that for moment came
upon me. ..a
| Oar first duty was, of course to be presented
IN the host and hostess who were 30 kind and
confederate as to invite us to their festivities;
and, finding our minister, Judge Mason, we
were soon in train for presentation. The
Emperor and Empress were late IN attend
ance, or we should not have been honored with
an introduction. II seems-and give you Tor
once, some Court gossip--that the head dress
ing of the Empress is superintendent by the Elm
peror in person, and her Majesty never APP
pears the second time in the same robe. On
this occasion, she was somewhat disappointed,
her dress not arriving in time. la the mean
while, when il did at last appear, the Emperor
found that the arrangement OF hair did not
suit, and all had to be done over again, II IL
said that the Emperor expressed himself very
strongly, in German, French, and English lie
arrived at tho moment we did, and Judge Ma
son formed our party of Americana in two
lines, down which the Government passed, our
representative walking backwards and call
ing the names slowly as he went In this way,
was introduced to the late Louis Napoleon
and present Emperor, and the future some
thing else. Judge Mason--kind-h hearted old
man loved by every one--did hin part hand
somely and well; but, must say, the Emperor
went through his in a snllen, queer way.
kept thinking OF Victor Hugo's terrible sen
tencc, ale has the name of Napoleon and the
talent Of Silence He does not much love the
Americans, and tho Americans rec no loyo lost
between them
Let the love DO where it may, the most con.
spicuous persons ut the entertainment were
Americans. One young lady created great
sensation, Us being far more lovely than the
Empress. Another, married lady, carried
moro diamonds than a dozen French or Eng
Ish dare dream of--and all were remarkable,
in some respect or other. Judge Mason was
much commented uIon, for the severe simpll-
city of his costume; although cut in what
ia called Court costume it was without en-
broidery or ornament of any kind
Ii is singular to read ut home the severe
comments Of some OF the press upon this gen
tIenan, and know how unjust they are.
presume our Administration does not seek to
control the social conduct Of the Minister; and
socially it is customary, when Minister or
any official il invited to d dinner or assembly,
to wear some mark Of his position. If ne dis
likes to do this, he can remain at home; but II
he attends, let him respect the wishes of his
hoet. 1t is very democratic 10 60 Ia Nose,
but gentleman appearing with his coat on
arm, and hat on head at an evening assembly,
would not be very polite or respectful, to say
the least. Judge Mason, as representative OF
our Government, was presented in citizens
dress, and as Minister is always seen in that
garb But at parties and dinners, custom hes
settled the fact that he must appear a Ia
Franklin.
By the by, there is quite an error at home as
to Franklins Court suit. We are under tho
impression that this good old man, while rep
resentpg our country at this Court, wore the
everyday dress Of an American citizen. Such
is not the fact Mr.. Soule weais at Madrid
the style Of dress worn by Franklin, and it was
not then, any more than now the everyday
wear of our citizens. Tho truth is, the old
mans mind was On more important matters
than the cut of his coat While he dealt with
the destinies Of nations he left the consdera-
ton of dress to lesser intellects.
soon wearied Of lights and music and the
unmc aiming crowd, differing in no respect from
the thousands and thousands which have Hit
ted through these same halls. locked around
in vain for one person whose name could serve
to hold il in memory-Lamartine, Victor Hugo,
Sue, Dumas, Lamenais--
THE kings of thought. who wage contention with
their time g decay,
And Of tho past, all which win not pass away
Even Louis Napoleon wants everything to
make one sustain an illusion. There is nothing
in face or figure Of the Bonaparte. Tho chs
elled face, the clear, luminous eyes, all the
marks Of genius which gave to borrid war its
fascination. We returned, wearied, to our little
apartments, about two o'clock A. M, and
fell asleep to dream Of dancing at the house of
Secretary c., in Washington, with the En-
peror, while our uis-a-viswere the Empress and
the razor-strop man.