The Trinity times., 1855-05-19
The Imperial Dandy.
JOHN BIGLER.
A REMINISCENCE.

Alexander of Russia passed through Brus
sells en- route for bis own capital. from Paris
where he had been resting his war-worn
limbs, and displaying his person for sea
son. shortly after the issue Of that great day
Of Waterloo, which had changed the aspect
and Gestines Of dynastes ana nations The
Belgian provinces for a long time annexed 10
France had been placed under the sovereign
tv Of the House Of Orange -and William Of
Nassau. but a few months before reiuStated
m his hereditary dominious, had united these
possessions to Ills crown. His principal res
idencc, and that OF his officers Of state, was
at the Hague; but he occasionally visited
Brussels; and that his appearance there
mi chit hot be deficient in pomp ana regaity,
was generally accompanied by his household,
and by the representatives of foreign powers
at his court, and their suites. The visit OF
the Gar Glanced to correspond with cne of
these royal mierations to the Belgian metrop-
oils, and ball at the palace, in honor Of this
event. was announced for the evening sue
ceeding his arrival. TO this, as a member OF
the corps GjDlomdii9ws, was favored with an
invitations SO, donning my court dress-thcn
Wors on stch. occasions, without risk Of sub
ectng ourselves to imputed violation Of ie-
publican simplicity, or Of unbecomiue com
pliauce with royal aud immemora castom-
mace my way through pages, tshers and
chamborla.ns, &c q suit of splendid apa"tm ents
filled with rank, fashion, chiyalry and beauty.
! 4 plain monsieur would have been such an
anomoly in this courtly assembly, that !
silently acquisced in the title which had at
tached to my person in my progress from
| landing place to landing place along the lofty
stairway was required to ascend, aud the
last usher bowed me into the room rs Count
Something, or Somebody-a g)Jriguet which
attracted rs little notice as if ho had been
content to introduce me under my own legit-
| innate paronymic. The Emperor had not
yet made his appearance; and, ne seats were
not permitted in the presence OF royalty, the
company soon became impatient for the guest
Of the evening. Ghe ladies' stood in a row
next the wall, extending from on end Of very
spacious apartment TO the othor; the gentle
men in detached groups, in different quarters
of the room-most of them, being military
men, in gorgeous regimentas, and some al
most bowed down by the weight Of decora-
tons attached to their button~holes or sus-
pended from their necbs. Many showed, in
addition 70 the lattering testimonials other
tokens of rd-fought fields and hair r-breadth
escapes and manned limbs and scared faces
told of other and ruder sports than those
for which they were assembled. But all
! went merry now, and as the military bands,
which had lately marshalled them in
"Battcs magnidcenty stern array
announced the hero Of the pageant "grim-
ysaged war" would hardly have recognized,
in countenances glowing with anticipatons Of
| festyty, and smoothed TO smiles Of gentler
| gallantry, features so lately compressed in
sternness, or distorted with pain on the blood
stained fields where for years he had been
accustomed to encounter them. On came
the Gar, accompanied by the King Of liol-
! land, the Prince Of Orange, and a brilliant
staff, himself the cynosure OF wondering
eyes-as well he might be, for seldom had
nature and art combined to produce finer
/ specimea of humanity. Somewhat exceed
in the common height, Of fair complexion
with just enough oi eHJ2H- point to lnd,cat,
| perfect, but not rude heath-hi, appearance
| apart from his half military costume, wa,
rather that Of the wel.-)rod gentleman than
Of the hero, or the grau1ce. lis face
round, smooth, and somewhat 0orid, viii
! light whiskers, but 10 mousiache-haG nci.
tAer martial nor intellectual expression; bu
was not wanting in animation, aud bespok,
amia5h'y and pood-ieAowslip, rather tha.
disposition OF capacity u command. Anap
proach % badness was perhaps no dsad van
ta4e to him, as it gave elgyaHon and expan
sion TO his forehead and lordly character e
the bead, which wellplaced on bis manIl
shoulders, seemed better adapted 90 thia en-
Dlu 81 peacclu. to7crc!guiy tilau 10 the war
riOl's helmet or The conqueror', wr, a,A.--
lis dress was iaui.ess. a scarlet coat, Oh
ing 50 tightly 20 bis person, as, bon for Coz
color. TO seem part Of d. was crossed by th
broad ribbon ol 81. Andrew, and bore d.
other eus.aula; Whle lIs wc.i-lormed AmJ-
iu Lile knee bteecica, a. they were called
ana silk aloc4l % oi tic same color, teIn.n
a,ld b feet Of proper proportions, oncase
in pumps, fastened by large bueaes Of god
Moving gracefully to tic middle oi 'he roou.
he took b. eaDl in front 81 Tie liae ~ s.
semb.ed beaa.es--iar really an wore lowell
aoh-u-a4d intag ils Iafgui's % li4 ~.
aa- directing Is itom il4.ti' l.lt, aud t.e
bonn lea GO right of the dau.ng array rt
"a much s.ae foil~ ifh- hsI been inspect
.ata heo. soldiers. BE- l4eA a, last ou 81
fae e,n.e 0t.- f