New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1857-02-25
Ta!leyrand and Madame de stael

Taeyrand's ingratitude towards Madame de Stael
may appear inexcusable-it certainly not in any
way creditable. But in extenuaton it may be well
borne in mind that she possessed an excess OF that
susceptibility which made her oyervaue her success,
and never cease bringing her services to the memory
of theperson obliged. He had never the same high
opinion of her which the world proessed. He thought
her style pedantc aad Affected and would complain,
when any of her compositions were read to him, OF
their total want of nature and Of true coloriug He
accustomed to say that those who read the
writings might fairly boast of knowing the writer,
for that nothing could more resemble Madame de
Stae herself than the false, exaggerated sentiments
and superficial eruditions OF her compositions or
her mother, Madame Necker, he once remarked.
"She has every virtue and but one fault and that Is,
that she is insupportable The good lady never for
gave his comparing her 'to fgate riding at anchor,
and receiving salute from friendly power" when
she stood upon her own hearth rug at the Hotel
Necker, upon the occasion Of her weekly receptions:
her ample proportions obscuring the light of the tire,
as with pinched-up features and prudish smile she
listened to the compliments of the academicans, whom
she assembled but for the delight OF her own vanity
He related to his friends an amusing adventure Of
Madame de Sael herself, in which be was party 1t
occurred upon her first entrance ntoa Partisan society
before the revolution, at rural fete given by Madame
Hevetius in the garden of her chateau His account
is thus repeated by one of these friends:
" On her first appearance ut the reunion, Madame
Hevetus had of course, with wellbred courtesy paid
her most particular attention. but having other guests
to welcome had left her after awhile, to superntend
uSlrlDullOu O tDoul tnt
Once or twice she had passed Madame de Stael sit
ting gloomy on the bench where she had left her,
and at last sent Taeyrand to keep her company but
Taleyrand had tact enough to know that, being him
self no literary lion, he was company for Madame
de Stae and so Immediately went in quest Of society
more congenial to her taste He soon returned, in
company with the Able Monti whose poems were at
that time the rage of all Europe, and whose coming put
the fair authoress in the best OF humors. Ialeyrand
sat down the bench beside them in silence, feeling
himself quite extngushed by so much talent, and re-
mained passive listener, anxious for Improvement.
The conversation was overwhelming with erudition,
and then the compliments were poured forth like rain
from an April sky the Able had never reckoned
upon so great honor that Of meeting the first
writer of the age: Madame little dreamed when she
arose that morning, that the day would be marked by
so auspcious event as the meeting with the Able
81 have devoured every word that has escaped from
Sapphos pen" said the Able.
I cannot sleep until | read the charming odes
from the Italian Tyrtaus,' said the lady.
g Have you seen my last endeavorE said the
Abbe
"Alas! not yet" sighed the lady, .'although re-
port speaks of it more highly than of any which pre-
cededitn
81 have it here!" exclaimed the Able, egerly draw
ing small volume from his pocket. "Allow me to
present it to you madame; poor homage, indeed,
to so much genius but it may prove interesting to one
| who has had so much success in heroic poetry
Thanks, thanks, cried Madame de Stael. seizing
the little volume with every demonstration OF over.
powering gratitude. This is indeed treasure, and
| VIII be prized by me lar beyond Sold or JeWels.
She turned over the leaves slowly while the delight
ed Able watched her with charming selt:complacen-
cy-then suddenly dropping it into her lap she ex'
claimed, turning on the Able languid glance, You
were talking of heroie poetry, dear Able have you
seen my last attempt-a dramatic scene, TExie'-a
slight and poor imitation of some OF your own?
u have not been so blessed as to obtain copy
replied the Able.
| i How fortunate that should have one in my
reticule - said madame, hurriedly sezing the strings
of the bag suspended from her arm and drawing
| forth thin volume of boards. The Able bent low
over it as she presented it, and kissing it with
ence, placed it by his side; and the conversation
that is to say the complimenting-was continued
with redoubled vigor.
Taleyrand then departed, and did not return till
the company broke up, when he found that they had
both left the bench whereon they had been seated
long together, leaving however the 'precious trea
sures which they had received from each other with
so much gratitude behind them Talleyrand seized
upon them with inexpressible delight, thinking that
they would furnish matter for innocent jeering when
the loss to be remembered by either party. But
! the thing was compete-they acre nerer sought and
asked for and he has them in his library,
and loves to show them he tells the story of their
| coming into his possession. -
| life of Prince Talleyrand.