Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1858-10-01

tiVely 10 tragedy OF which he did not un
derstand word, and which seemed mad
up Of fighting and stabbing and scenc..hift
ing, and began to feel his spirits sinking
within him; when, casting his eyes in tn,
orchestra, what was his surprise to rccor
nlze friend and neighbor in the very ac
OF extorting music from a huge violincelo.
As soon as the evenings performance
was over, he tapped his friend on the
shoulder; they kissed each other on each
cheek, and the musician took him home,
and shared his lodgings with him. He had
learned music as an accomplishment by
his friends advice he now turned to if as n
means of support. He procured violin,
offered himself for the orchestra, was re-
ccived, and again considered himself as
one OF the most fortunate men upon earth.
Here, therefore, he lived for many wears
during the ascendency of the terrible Ma
polcon lie found several emigrants, living
like himself, by the exercise Of their tall
onts They associated themselves together,
talked OF France and Of old times, and en-
deavored to keep up a semblance of Paris.
IAN life IN the centre of London.
They dined at miserable, cheap French
restaurant in the neighborhood of Leicester
Square, where they were served with
carlcature Of French cookery. They took
their promenade in St. James Park, and
endeayored to fancy it the Tuilcries; in
short, they made a shift to accommodate
themselves to every thing but an English
Sunday. Indeed, the old gentleman seem
ed to have nothing to say against the Eng.
lish, whom he affirmed to be br0ces gcnS;
and he mingled so much among them, that
at the end of twenty years he could speak
their language almost well enough 10 be
understood
The downfall of Napoleon was an.
other epoch in his Ii c. He had consid-
cred himself fortunate man to make his
escape penniless oui Of France, and he
considered himself fortunate to be able to
return pennlless into it. 1t is true that he
found his Partisan hotel had passed thro'
several hands during the vicissitudes of
the times, SO as to be beyond the reach Of
recovery; but then he had been noticed
benlgnantly by Government, and had
pension Of several hundred francs, upon
which, with careful management he lived
independently, and as far as | could learn,
happily.
AS his once splendid hotel was now oc.
cupied as hotel garni, he hired Il small
chamber in the attic; sit was but" as he
said, "changing his bedroom up two pair
OF stairs-he was still in his own house"
His room was decorated with pictures of
several beauties Of former times, with
whom he professed TO have been on favored
terms and among them was a favorite
opera-dancer, who had been the admiration
OF Paris at the breaking ont of the rc,clu-
ton. She had been protege of my
friend. and had survived the lapse of time
and its various vicissitudes They had
renewed their acquaintance, and she now
and then visited him; but the beautiful
Psyche, once the fashion of the day and
the idol of the parterre, was now shriv.
elled, little old woman, warped in the back
and with hooked nose
The old gentleman was devoted atten-
dant upon evees. lie was most Jealous
in his loyalty, and could not speak of the
royal family without burst of enthusiasm
for he still felt toward them as his COM
panions in exile. As to his poverty, he
made light Of it; and indeed, had ii good
humored way Of consoling himself for
every cross and privation. If he had lost
his chateau in the country, he had halGa-
dozen royal palaces, as it were, at his COM
mand. He had Versailles and st. Cloud for
his country resorts, and the shady alleys
of the Tuilleries and the Luxembourg for
his town recreation. Thus all his prone
nades and relaxations were magnifcent,yct
cost nothing. "When | walk through
these fine gardens" said he, " [ have only
to fancy myself the owner of them, and
they are mine. All these gay crowds are
my visitors, and defy the Grand Seignior
himself to display greater variety Of
beauty. Nay, what is better, l have not
the trouble Of maintaining them. My es-
tate is perfect Sans Souci, where every
one dimes as he peases, and no one troubles
the owner. All Paris is my theatre, and
presents me with continual spectacle. l
have table spread for me in every street,
and thousands Of waters ready to fly at
my bidding. When my servants have
waited upon me, l pay them, discharge
them, and there is an end; l have no fears
Of their wronging or pilfering Inc when my
back is turned Upon the WHOLE" said
the old gentleman, with smile Of infinite
good-hur"or, "when think of the various
risks l have run, and the manner in which
l have escaped them; when | recollect all
that have suffered, and consider all that
l at present enjoy, cannot but look upon
mvSplf n Of cino,nlnr f,nnl -
Such was the brief history Of this prac-
tical philosopher, and it is a picture of
many a Frenchman ruined by the revolu-
tion. The French appear to have a great
er facility than most men in accommoda-
ting themselves to the reverses of life, and
of extracting honey out Of the bitter things
of the world The first shock of the ca
lamity is apt to overwhelm them; but
when it is once past, their natural buoy
ancy of feeling soon brings them to the
surface. This may be called the result of
levity of character, but it answers the end
of reconciing us to misfortune, and ifit be
not true philosophy, it is something almost
as efficacious. Ever since | heard the
story ofmy little Frenchman | have trea-
sured it up in my heart; and | thank my
stars | have at length found, what long
considered as not to be found on earth--a
contented man.
Z. S.-There is no calculating human
happiness Since writing the foregoing,
the law Of indemnity has been passed, aud
my friend has been restored to great part
of his fortune, | was not at Paris at the
time, but on my return hastened to con-
gratuate him, found him magniicently
lodged on the first floor of his hotel | was
ushered by servant in his livery, through