The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1860-06-20
Gibbons la o. and Only Love.

Bu' lew OF our readers, We imagine, have read
the story Of the great historians first and only
love, which we extract from my Life and VII.
ungs," how comparatively rare book Asa
literary moroccan il is unique, and no passage
could be found In all his works more character
istic Of the authors peculiar style Ii is, be.
sides, little romance in itself:-
hesitate, from the apprehension Of ridicule,
when | approach the delicate subject OF my
early love. BY this word do not mean the 20.
lite attention. The Callantry, without hope or do.
sign, wh,ca has originated in the spirit Of chiv.
airy, and Is interviewer with the texture Of
French manners. | understand by this passion
the union of desire, friendship and tendernea
which is inHamed by single female, which pre-
ieFs her TO the rest Of her sex, and which sssks
her possession as the supreme and sole hsppinen
of cur being.
need not blush at recolleciing the object Of
my choice; and though my love WAS disappoin.
ted ct success, | ain rather proud that Was q.
pablc pf feeling such a pure and exalted eenii.
ment. The personal attractions of Mademoiseus
Curchod were embelished by the virtues and ul
ents of the mind. Her fortune was humble, bus
her family was respectable. Her mother, 10.
tive OF France, had preferred her religion TO her
country. The profession of her father did not
extinguish the moderation and philosophy Of bic
temper and he lived content with email salary
and laborious duty in the obscure lot Of Minister
OF Crazy, in the mountains that separate the
Bays dc Vaud from the country Of Burgundy.
IN the solitude Of a seQuestered village, he be.
slowed liberal and even learned education 90
his daughter. She surprised his hopes BY her
proficiency in the sciences and languages; and
in her short visits 10 some relations at Lausanne,
the wit, the beauty and eruditOn of Mademoi.
seile Curcbod were the theme Of universal ap
plause. The report of such prodigy awakened
my curiosity; | saw and loved. found her
learned without pedantry, lively in conversation,
pure in sentiment, elegant in manners; and the
first sudden emotion was fortified by habits and
knowledge Of "A more familiar acquaintance. She
permitted me to make her two or three visis q
her fathers house.
passed some happy DAYS there, in the noun.
tains of Burgundy, and her parents honorably
encouraged the connection In calm retire
ment, the gay vanity of youth no longer linges.
ed in her bosom; she listened TO the voice d
truth and passion, and might presume to hops
that had made some impression on virtuous
heart. At Crazy and Lausanne INDUCED my
dream OF felicity, but on my return 10 England,
soon discovered that my father would not hear Of
Tins StfaiiSc aiiidice, anu tn2t WITHOUT his cOu'
sent was myself destitute ard helpless After
a painful struggle yielded TO my fate eigbed
as lover, obeyed as a son; my wound was In
sensibly heal by time, absence and the HABITS
Of a new life. Ny cure was accelerated by
faithful report Of the tranquility and cbeerfulneo
of the lady herself and my love subsded In
friendship and esteem. The minister Of Crsgy
soon afterwards died. his stipend died with him;
Lis daughter retired to Geneva, where, by teach.
ing young ladies' she earned hard subsistence
for herself and her mother; but in her lowest
distress she maintained spotless reputation and
a digniEed behavior. A rich banker of Paris,
citizen OF Geneva, had the good fortune and
good sense to discover and possess this inestim.
able treasure; and in the capital Of taste and
luxury she resisted the temptations Of wealth -
she had sustained the hardships Of indigebce.
The genius Of her husband has exalted him 70
the most conspicuous station in Europe. Ia ev'
cry change 0! prosperity and disgrace, he bas
reclined on the bosom Of faithful friend; and
Mademoisele Cgrchod is now the wife Of I.
Necker, the minister, ard perhaps the leg'slasof
0. the French monarchy.