True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1857-06-24

velvit cushions and gorgeous carpets wo-
ven in distant PersiOn looms. Flowers
of every kind hung bloomed and bud
ding from wall and ceiling; banners and
trophies of thousand conquered nations
adorned the great saloon, clusters of col.
ored lamps illuminated far alleys of the
gardens and shot rainbows over dancing
fountains and the torrents of diamond
threaded waler-spouts, and every fiction
of art, every grace of nature, were here
brought together to celebrate the mar
rlage feast. =
Sitting on throne at the further end
OF the grand reception room, was the
young queen of the French, wrapped in
some robes of rich, snow-white stuff,
contrasting brilliantly with the gorgeous
tintiDg of her surroundings, and slightly
Iightened by the paer shades of a rosy
mantle lain upon her shoulders; veil of
shining and transparent silver tissue, like
web Of woven dew, was half flung
aside. displaying the snowy brow, the
blushing cheeks, the perfect features of
this vision of northern Ioveliness, and the
golden hair was bound in rich, jewelled
braids beneath the crown, the crown
itself mass Of jewelry, resplendent as
the hidden treasures of genii in an east
ern tale. Yet notwithstanding ali her
magnifcence, an inexpressible languor
reigned over the queens form as she
half lay in the large throne chair, and
now and then spoke dreamiIy TO some
gallant French nobleman, some stately
dame, or ofiener to her pretty English
maiden, the lovely Anne Boleyn, who al
ready coquetted admirably with the che.
valiers, and added lnstre to the queens
prestage; languor visible in the parted,
quivering lip, the half closed eye, and
The abandon of posture. All hearts and
eyes admired, and very few but pitied
the young victim of the hoary man who
stood beside her throne.
The merry hours swept by. The queen
had danced her measure, and The banquet
rooms being thrown open, the noble
groups entered beneath the ent wined ban
ners of England, France and Scolland.-
The hall was hung with tapestries of
wine color, richly pictured with arabesque
Of silver work, and feslooned with myri-
I ad ribbons of glittering whieness. Fruit
pieces, and hunting scenes of masters
whose works lived after the creating
hand was dust, hung here and there above
great vases of sun fed leaf and blossom,
delicious strains OF music foa,ed from far
distant galleries, and the tables, dazzling
in their loads of fine linen, and golden
and crystal vessels, in cups whose rims
were embossed with rubles and emeralds,
and flagons whose necks were carbunces,
and in which the sweetest juices OF long
lost southern summers had been wrung,
in viands, fruits and liquid of every zone,
were reflected in mirrors that flashed
back with them, from the costly, pan
neled frames, the wave of plumes, the
sheen of satin, the glimmer of the love-
liest faces of all France, and above all,
like an ugly reptile on bed Of flowers,
the form and face of Louis the twelfth,
beside his shrinking bride.
Yes, his bride now, and with no re-
trieve. Every trivial annoyance with
which in mischevious sport she had teas
ed her lover, lay now like mountain on
her memory; for she herself had said the
fatal words that riveted her chains, and
she grew pale as her,heart answered that
death was the only emancipator.
The glee ran high, jesls circled and
wine poured freely, the king had nearly
gorged himself, course after course had
been swept from the board and still it
groaned anew before the guests, when by
asudden movement of Brittany, all eyes
were turned upon his majesty. Sitting
erect, as though he had suddenly he ard
one speak, his eyes fixed and CLASSY, hi
face purple with the swollen veins of ap-
oplexy and his chin fallen, sat the bride
groom. His earthly sands were almos-
run. All the court exclaimed with hor-
ror, but the queen sat still as her husband,
not daring to glance upwards, lest she
should behold dream 10 happy to be
realized, till she shuddered at the hope
that half formed itself in her heart. Al
length she raised her eyes. The specta-
Gle was too horrible, and she shrieked
aloud with mingled Joy, grief and terror.
Those who had waited for her movement
now bore him to couch, and all the
physicians of the court essayed their skill
upon him in vain, while breathing low
and heavily he dragged the hours along,
through which his young wife, who had
sworn to honor and obey, never Ainched,
but with soothing compassion baihed his
brow, gently chafed his hands and sought
to alleviate his pain by all plying art
even while her heart loathed him. AT
last it was over, shewas free! The eyes
were closed and the minions bade tc
weep, Francis. the heir was loudly pro
claimed, and the wife was a widow.
4 A year Of widowhood had passed ovel
MARY Tudor, and yet her seventeenth
summer found her smiling, dimp lied, hap
! py. and more beautiful than if she hat
known no pain. Henry the Eighth hat