Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-12-05
EVENING STAR.
A SCENE AT MALMAIsoN.

tiohs connected with Malmaison, where Jo-
sephine held her court in her pslmy and happy
dsys-which article we find i'm the London
New MOnthly-we take the following graphic
ally related anecdote
Sometimes things did not go on quite so
smoothly, however, at Malmaison, when any
of the Bonaparte family visited Josephine, for
a most cordial hatred seems to have existed
between her and the ladies Of the imperial
family, partsking somewhat of female rivalry
and jealousy.
One evening in psrticular-when the beau
tiful Pauline was to be formally presented to
Josephine, on her marriage with the Prince
Borghese-must be noted in the annals Of
Malmaison. Pauline, clever, witty. and most
lovely, had accepted the hand of the Borghese,
almost fool in intellect, solely on account of
his money and his title. Sacrificing her heart
to her ambition, she determined tO make the
first use CT her new honors by endeavoriug to
humiliate poor Josephine; and in order to
carry out this amiable resolution, announced
her intention Of visiting her on certain even
ing shortly after her marriage. Days were
passed in preparing the splendid toilette which
was to crush her sister-in-law.
At length the memorable evening arrived.
Josephine, fully aware of the intentions Of
Pauline, took her own measures accordingly
She arrayed herself for this trying ordeal, of
IL
consummate tact and q perfect knowledge Of
that peculiar style of dress we'll calculated to
display her faultless shape, which she has al
most immortalized. She wore a white muslin
dres, edged and trimmed with narrow bor
der OF gold; the short sleeves, which displayed
finely turned arm, were looped up at the
shoulder by large canoes; an enameled SER
pent encircled her throat; On her head was a
kind OF diadem formed of canoes and en-
amel, cOnfning her hair somewhat in the style
of the antique busts of the Roman expresses
She looked so extremely graceful and classical
in this attire, that whe n Napoleon entered the
salOn he was delighted, and saluted her with
kiss on the shOulder-a somewhat bourQeOIs
caress by the way. On his expressing his sur
prise at the care with which she was dressed,
she reminded him Of the expected visit of
Pauline. The evening wore on and yet the
Princess did not appear. Napoleon having
remained beyond his usual time, retired ai
last to his cabinet.
Shortly afterwards the Princess made her
appearance, cooking transcendently lovely.
But On this occasion she had not trusted to
the charms Of unadorned beauty, as she liter
ally was resplendent with jewels. Her dress,
composed of green velvet, was embroidered
in the front with masses of diamonds; her
arms, her neck, her head were also encrcled
with splendid jewels. AS she advanced across
the room towards Josephine, who, as the wife
of the First Consul, did not rise until she np-
preached, Pauline gazed around full of pride
and gratifed vanity, conscious of the effect
created by her beauty, her youth and her daz-
zling splendor.
The salutations were cold between the rival
ladies. Pauline seated herself, and to break
the stiffness Of the reception, began conversing
in low tone with NJ nae Junot, who was placed
near her
"Well, Louise, how do 1 look tonight
What do you think of the Borghese jewels p
Think why, you are wonderful actually
eblOutssGnte," returned M me Juno..
"But do you really, now-fattery apart
think this dress becomes me!"
"Vain Pauline, why you knew perfectly
before asking me that question you never
looked better In your life.'
"Well, it is not exactly vanity that makes
me ask you so particularly" replied Pauline;
but 1t is because / want to astonish Mime
BOnsparte, and you know have spared no
pains to mortify her by this display of my
new jewels. Yet how elegant she looks in that
simple India muslin dress, with those canoes,
too, like q Greesn statue she certainly does
understand, to perfection, the style that suits
her. That white dress contrasts so well, too,
with the blue satin of the furuiture-it is per-
feet Good heavens what shall do?" st Q
suddenly exclaimed in an agonized whisper,
and turned quite pale.
"What is it? What can be the matter -
asked NJ me Junot, quite alarmed.
go, Louise, why did you not tell me how
cruel not to remind me! To let me come
here in this room, dressed in green ueIret,
SclLen tie furniture as biue satin. Oh, this j.
too much. l shall never forgive you, How
dreadful L must look by the side of Josephine
This is more than can bear L must 20 away
at once"
Pauline was conquered. Elegance had wcn
tho day against beauty. She took hasty
farewell Of josephine, and hurried out Of the
room, consOling herself little in her retreat,
by displaying her jewels before the whole es-
tablishment assembled to do her honor She
passed down the alley formed by the house
hold, preceded by lighted torches, ard follow
ed by her husband, whom she early taught ia
aspire no higher than to the honor of being
her chamberlain; and thus ended in absolute
failure, this notable wedding sit of the PEin-
cess Pauline BorgheSe.
OPINIONS OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
The New York correspondent OF the Union
says:
The legal profession have received with
great favor the new contributions to Legal
Il