The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1859-03-18
An Evening with Madame Le Vert

an evening Win madame Le Vert.
Who has not heard of MADAME Octayi,
Walton lie Nert-in her girhood the bril-
liant belle Of Washington, winter afte
winter and now in the bloom of woman
hood tho lovc'ie.t and most distinguished
daughter Of the Souti-thc beautiful A
mer'can and litcrati, on her recent absence
IN Europe and the talented author of "Souve
mis- of Travel,' whose simple winning de-
tails have earned it place in every Amer
ican home? Truly, her name is a "house
hold word" among us, and we presume tha,
many fair reader Of Life, who has smiled
and wept over the enchanting 'Souvenirs,' y
has experienced IA womanly cur o ity to know
how It's author looked-how she spoke and
smiled, and whether her personcUc was re.
ally as enchanting as it is described. -
! These were exactly my sensations as sat
IN one OF the parors of tho St. Nicholas,
where, week or two ago, Madame lie Vert
was so]ournlng, with brilliant party, from
the South. There is ALWAYS a slight degree
OF nervousness inscparablc from the first in
tervlew with these bright particular stars
OF the literary firmament-one half 10 fears
lest they should prove cold, naughty, and
reepeI!ant, or lest they should be lifted up
ato'e the atmosphere Of common human.
ity.
But all these arprchensions were dispersed
like cloud of night phantoms the instant
Madame lie Vert glidcd in. Imagine a
lovely little creature. somewhat below
The ordinary height Of women, perfectly
formed, with blue melting eyes, a luxuri-
ance Of dark silken hair, and features so fault.
lcss'y chiselcd that they might have been
moulded by phtdas himself She was at.
tired with that picturesque richness which is
SO characteristic southern costume every
thing seemed perfect, from the small, cx-
qusltcy shaped ear. from which depended
trc-foil Of diamond fire, to the beautiful
arms, full Of nesting dimpI. the tiny
foot which seemed form. IT. only on
banks Of roses.
The conversational =. -, Of Madame
lie Vert arc unusual, particularly rs COM
pared with those Of most American ladies'
for-we say it with pang of mortified ma.
tional pride the daughters of the free and
independent shore" have not yet learned the
use OF their generous mother tongue. They
can tax, but they cannot converse.
Madame lie Vert is an exception to the
general rule. Her conversation, rendered
still more attractive bv the intonation of a
delicious'y musical voice, flows along like
the waIbe Of "A June rvulet, sparkling with
anecdotc, rich Will, illustration and throw.
ing It's own graces around every subject it
touches on.
1t may not be amiss, here, to relate sim.
pie incident oppropos to this rare command
OF language, which occurred to Madame lie
Vert during her visit to NJ. de Lamartine
She was describing to him, with enthusias
TIC v'vacity. her sojourn in Spain, and be
listened, his dark, poet eye cnchaincd to her
rat::sat countcnance with almost magnetic
lustre. At iene;.!::, she paused, and he spoke:
"Madame," said he, earnestly" YOU have
one gift of which you, yourself, are not
aware of the possession. Madame, you are
a natural! imprOrisafricc. While listened
to you, felt myself in Spain amid the very
scenes you describe. Now, it is impossible
for you 10 be an impropisatyice, because
you are not an Italian woman, but YOU can
be writer You can fill, with pleasure the
hearts Of your nation by describing what
you have seen to them, rs you are now de-
lighting me. When the excitement aud fas-
clnations Of your tour are over, and you are
once more quietly at home, remember what
have said to you, and employ your leisure
IN giving to the world few souvenirs of
your European, life"
Struck by this idea, Madame LIE Vert a.
dopted the very phrase Of the poet states,
man, and christened her charming book,
Souvenir Of Travel" and thus to the hint
OF M.de Lainartinc we are indebted for those
chatty "reminiscences which transport read
er into the very midst of those circles min
gled in by their author.
The book has been no less popular in
England than in Ameica. The Queen her.
sell, whose reception of the trans atlantic
beauty was hattering in the highest degree,
sent over an affectionate message after hav-
| ing read the iSouucnirs, Tell Madame LIE
Vert tha! the American people ought to be
very much obliged to her for presenting to
them such correct view Of England soci-
ety." She also dispatched graceful acknowl-
edgement Of the cordial and complimentary
mention which is'frequently made of her
| Majesty throughout the book.
In Mobile, her place Of residence, and, in
deed throughout the whole South, Madame
LIE Vert holds the high position to which
her beauty, birth and talents fright entitle
her and all distinguished strangers passing
through the city are happy in the privilege
OF paying their respects to her.
10 all Madame lie Vert's numerous adj
mirers it will be welcome news that she will
shortly give TO the literary world, "Souve-
Mrs OF Distinguished Americans" which,
from her personal acquaintance with those
described. possesses the elements of great
popularity, and will bo interesting in the
highest degree. Q
Well, really this article, which was mere
" intended for short sketch, has spun it.
self out TO- a most uhwarrantaLle length, but
somehow we got fascinated with our lovely
subject and could not stop. However we
are quite cure ofthe appreciation of ali the
American ladies, who cannot but be inter.
ested in one who is crowning grace 10 the
Observation-Disclosures Octavia Walton LIE
Vert. s2-
Mrs. GEORGE WAsH1NoroN Wv,yvs