Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-05-21
THE GAZETTE.
SATURDAY MORNING.. MAY 81. 1859.
ADVENTURES eF ALEXANDER DUMAS.


everybody is aware Of the fact. His travels
and adventures are the general theme OF con-
yersution, and each of the hundred gosslplng
pens of the Paris press eagerly selzes upon
the name of the great rumancer. rs fair
pretex, to perpetrate couple OF columns at
least, All pretend to know precisely what
he saws and does, from the hour the railway
omnibus set him down at his own door, up
t. the last moment before going to press
1t seems to be generally agreed that the
author of Monte Cristo has returned more
brilliant and sparkling than ever. As res
poets his appearance, he brings back another
Dumas than his former self--a dingy-col-
ored and ferociously bearded Dumas, dressed
i'm all the g0rgeOusness of eastern attire. lie
brings with him lots of curiosities, picked up
IN his long travels; Jewels, necklaces, vermeil
salt cellars, beer mugs and goblets, presented
by barbarian princes, Persian smoking caps.
Circassian trOwSers and q whole cargo of
wares besides .....f ~
One of the most cherished prizes is asplen-
did dagger, which he says was given to him
bya Circassian lord under peculiar circum-
stances. On the occasion OF their first meet
ing, the Circassian, exhibiting this oignard
to the distinguished stranger, informed him
that there was not its fellow in the country,
and begged Dumas to accept it as souvenir
of friendship. Dumas, who considers HIM
self remarkably modest, (you would not
suppose it,) declined the gift, on the ground
that he did not deserve it, whereupon, after
vainly attempting by persuasion to shake
his resolution, the prince finally appeared to
give the matter up, when the novelist thought
no more about it. Upon going out, however,
he was met in the street by six or eight say
age-looking individuals with the prince at
their head. The latter held the dagger in
his hand and placed its point in close pro1-
unity to Dumas throat politely informing
that worthy, that if he didn't take the dag
ger, the dagger would take him; whereupon
the scrupulOus Frenchman felt Obliged to
consent. and now shows the weapon as he
tells the story.
At Tifis, Prince Bariatinsky, Governor
General of the province, sort OF 'iceroy'
delighted with the pleasure of receiving the
accomplished traveller took from his SIDE
board some most beautiful and curious spe-
cmens of silver ware, entreating the other
to accept of them. Dumas probably fearing
that if he demurred, the plates would IHfalii-
bly be crammed down his throat, laid aside
his modesty and signifed his willingness
directly, In the Caucasian, mountains,
Prince Bagration, Colonel of regiment OF
mountaineers, deserters from Schamyl turn
ished the author of the Mousquetairies with
an escort, and gave him, by way OF treat,
the pleasure ola trifling attack, IN which nj
teen men were shot. Dumas says he took
part in the skirmish, and acquitted himself
40 vaiantly that the Russian soldiers made
him present ola cOrporaps uniform, IN tes-
timony of their admiration.
In another part of the country, he became
the guest of beautiful princess, an oriental
pearl, who asked him for sonnet not word
of which did she understand, and in return
gave Dumas magnificent necklace, which
he understood perfectly WELL This princess
had twelve apparently mute and imm0vabie
maids of honor, who remained so long speech
less and motionless, that the traveller imagg-
ined them to be made of pasteboard, ike
theatrical chickens and Holsters. They wore
long robes, covered with silver embroidery,
and bore strong resemblance to the figures
of female saints fixed in the inches OF Cathoiic
churches. When the hour of devotion arriv-
ed. the prince, husband of the princess, gave
the signal of departure for the temple. Here
upon the ladies of honor suddenly became
animated, left the palace, sprang nimby up.
on barebacked horses in the court yard, and
started off with the speed of the wind, to the
unspeakable amazement Of the stranger, who
nevertheless followed after, as fast as he
dared Upon arriving at the church, all out
of breath, Dumas astonishment was increas-
ed ut sight of a sort of coffee mill, placed near
the prince, and which chamberlain, or 9TH
rr court functionary, was turning with ex-
emnlary solemnity. The envious novelist
pulled out his note book and asked the mean
ing of this ceremony. "rhe truth is" was
the solemn chaps reply, ''the princes atten-
ton might be distracted during the services.
and in order that such circumstances may
not he looked upon as sin, | am grinding
prayers for him."
When Dumas was on the point OF leaving
this odd country, etiquette required that he
should bid adieu to the prince by rubbing
noses with him. Dumas requested permis,-
sion to go through the same ceremony with
the princess, but was informed that it was
not the custom. So he rubbed his own nose,
in some disappointment
Doubtless we shall have full account OF
his adventures, from his own exhaustless pen.
NTOTICE-FIRE ASSURANCE COMPANY
~ or ALEYANDRIA.-As emi-annual divi-
dend of per cent on the Capital Stock OF this
Institution has been declared, payable to the
Stockholders, or their legal representatives, on
and after Wednesday, the 4th inst.
SaN'v