True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1856-07-23
A NOBLEMAN OF SENSE.

"A NOOAAGAAN Va h&11N0G'
The French nobility were never con-
spicuous in history for their morality or
soundness Of judgement. Their frivolity
is known to a proverb, and their ridicu.
lOus presumption contributed more, per-
haps, than anything else, to the blood
stained Revolution The emigres whom
The Reign of Terror scattered over the
whole Of Europe, did not do much to-
wards redeeming the character Of their
order. But there we're also among them
many worthy individals, who desired q
position better than that of, a. fashionable
beggar, and of those, one of the mos;
distinguished was M. d'Albignac. He
had lost his all, fortune and family, in
the political deluge--and saved nothing
but his rather handsome person. His
circumstances were therefore very dis
lressng, and he lived in London on a
triAing pension allowed him by the En-
glsh Government. e.t .''.m.st.
50 One day, D'Albignac was dining IN
one of the principal taverns Of the west
end. He had always retained a taste for
fashionable eating houses. although his
scanty means allowed him but a single
dish. Nevertheless, he was very well
satisfied with his fare. and. although still
young himself, did not envy the lot oi
five or six youths who were dining near
him in much more luxurious manner
When golden sherry and sparkling cham.
pagne had raised their spirits, the young
gentlemen grew little imperIinent, and
al last one Of them addressed the French.
man
'1" SIR said he, ave have always
heard that your countrymen are famous
for making both philosophical systems
and salads, We should be happy to try
at least one of these much.boasted &C
complishments, and therefore politely re
quest you TO have the goodness to prepar
a s-I-l for ..s." "-.i -. -
D'Albignac hesilated for a moment
and was on the point of lesenting wha
be considered an offence; but bis good
tumor prevailed, and he resolved, as h,
was not well versed in meaphy sical dis
cussions, to save his country's honor By
making capitalsalad He asked, there.
fore, for vinegar, oil, salt, pepper, and
mustard, and prepared the favorite disI
of French gasronomes in such a way
that even the young Englishmen declared
themselves highly satisfied. They were
much pleased with the foreigners conde
scension, and had long conversation
with him, at the end of which they ask
ed for his address
The lively youths, some Of whom be-
longed to the class of nobility, spoke ia
the highest circles of their adventure
and suddenly, week or two afterwards,
D'Albignac received a note inviting him
10 come to one Of the best bonses in
Grosvenor Square, to make salad He
was at first greatly incensed, and fel,
much humillated; but he reflected that
labor in any shape is more digniied than
receiving aims. even from Government
and resolved to make good use OF The
channel fortune had opened TO him
Without being philosopher, he under
stood the true philosophy Of hunor, which
demands that every man should suppor
himself by his own exertons; and as be
knew no profession, he determined tc
make salads. He succeeded beyond hi:
hopes. The dish lie prepared in Grosve.
nor Square was paid with a fve.pount
note. and his reputation soon spread il
high society. He was called from one
house 10 another, and known under the
name of The Fashionable Salad maker.
He was soon obliged, in order to satisfy
all his elegant customers, to take carri
age and to keep servant, who followed
him with mahogany-box, containing al
the requisites for good salad. We may
add, that the GaScon genius of D'Albig
nae made some extraordinary inventions
in the way Of bis singular calling, and
Elhat no cook on The continent could have
surpassed him in the preparation Of de
licious endive, savory lettuce, or slimu
lating water.cresses. '"' '",a '"
D'Albignac did not find thai he dishon
ored his crest by becoming salad maker
after having been in former days a mar
quis and when the Bourbons returned
to France, he also went back to his ma
tive country. and was greatly honoted by
all sensible men. He had lived in ar
economical way, and, although he har
assisted many friends who were not SC
Findustrious or SO fortunate, lie had saved
e5, 600 when he crossed the Channel
Some proud dowagers Of the Faubourl
ST.. GerInain looked dislainfully at tn,
noble cook as they used to call him
but be answered that be at least owet
nothing to anybody--and the saying wa'
generally applauded. N 'f g.''7 ''.
r And now, IL a man, besides his pro.
fessional calling, knows how to cook I
frugal dinner, 10 mend shoes or clothes
or to use the tools Of the carpenter O
other mechanic, he may one day find IL
although not in the same way, Of as mucl
use as sslad.making was to our frient
. ~. T d.