Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1860-06-18
The First weddiBs Of Madame Bodisco--
The Marked Difference Between the Now
and Then fnHIHTr 900


The First wedding Of Madame Bodisco--
| The Marked Difference Between the Now
| and Then. HiNIH .t ..
A correspondent who witnessed the we'd
ding of Madame Bodisco In Washington, last
week, gives the following "reminiscences of
her first marriage non 'a'
remember the Countess when she was
school girl in Georgetown-the sweet and
lovely Harriet Williams, the fayorite queen
of every May-day. Her father, a worthy
merchant of that ancient and respectable
burg, gave her every advantage of educa-
ton but she was as simple, artless, and unaf-
fected as the daughter of an humble citizen
could be. Her personal loveliness was some
thing rich and rare when the sixteenth sum-
mer shone on her bright eyes. Her form was
model for q sculptor, SO delicate and
roundly shaped--a dream of beauty seldom
realized on earth. 1 ''a' N'
The Count Bodisco first saw her among her
school companions and was at once con-
quered. He was old, but in excellent preser-
vation and when made up-as he always was
when ever he appeared before, not only COM
pany, but his most intimate friends-he made
o good figure in the most agreeable society,
and was highly acceptable, not only in the
saloons Of the fashionable, but in all well
bred circles. His good nature and intelli-
gence commended him also to eminent men
of all political parties. One of his earliest
and kindest friends was Henry Clay, for
whose talents and geniality he had an un
bounded admiration. Indeed, he loved the
great statesman and orator TO degree rather
uncommon amongmen. But there was really
q strong tincture of romantic sensibility
about the excellent old Count. He was fond
| of simple pleasure, and pure and innocent
| enjoyments. The attachment of children to
| him was extraordinary, and could only have
been conciliated by that genuine benevolence
and tenderness of heart which beamed from
his countenance and gushed out in his cordial
| voice. ..I-4s ,..t... .rrr -...
He wooed and won the affections Of the
most beautiful girl that had ever been seen
in metropolitan circles. His old diplomatic
| colleagues laughed - some good-natured
| ladies sneered-the beau monde wondered;
but he had his own taste, and he made the
sweet, young, blooming Harriet Williams his
| wife. '..- ....r. .-. u-. .-..". 20
1t was a splendid wedding, becoming the
representative of the Emperor of all the
| Russias but tasteful chaste and elegant in all
its appointments. Henry Clay gave away
the bride. This was in compliance with the
particular request of the Count, although her
father, Mr.. Brooke Williams, was present.
Mr.. Buchanan was the principal groomsman,
and Jessie Benton Mrs Fremont) first brides
| uld1u. luc lcStlNlJltS Wofc III tuo ulBucsI
style of that hospitality for which Count
Bodsco was so long famous among us. |
He was devoted, some would say q
doting husband, and she was loving, atten-
tive, and in every respect exemplary and
happy wife, the light of his munifcent home,
the ornament Of his social circle, the COM
panion and friend of his life, and the chief
solace of his last hours. $40
What world we live in! What a change
from the scene in which l saw that, bright
and beautiful girl give away her first love,
radiant then as the morning star just above
the horizon What strange alteration had
time wrought in few short yearsl Here
was the magnificent matron, on whose face
could yet discern the lineaments that in
earlier days filed all hearts with tenderness,
and even some of that peach-like bloom
which was the crowning grace of her girlish
complexion. And beside her was a gallant
cavalier, in the full vigor of manhood, bear
ing names consecrated by associations Of
history and romance.-the Douglas, the Cor
don and the Scott. Who will say that real
ity has not its romance? .,-....