Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-03-05


MADAME REcAMEE's ACCOUNT or HER FIRST MEETING
WITH MADAME DE- SrAEL.--The Edinburgh Reoier, in
the course of an article the "Sournrs and
oondence Of Nine Recamier," gives the following
tracts:
cone dav, day which formed an epoch in my life, NJ
Recamier arrived Cichy accompanied by lady whose
name he did not tell me, and whom he left alone with
me while he speak to persons in the park
This lady came speak about the sale and purchase OF
a house. Her dress strange. She wore morning
gown and little dress bonnet Ornamened with flowers
took her for a foreigner was struck with the beauty
and expressyeneSs OF her could not account for
what ielt but it is certain that | more intent on
observing and so say divinng her, than in address
ng her in the usual phrases of civiy. She said TO me,
with lively and impressive grace, that she really
delighted to make my acquaintance that NJ Necker was
her tather-" At these words knew her TO Madame de
Sae did not bear the rest OF her sentence. bushed,
and my embarrassment was extreme. had Just read her
"ettres sur Rousseau" and intensely interested in
them expressed what felt rather by looks than words.
She awed while she attracted You Immediately felt
her to be n person perfectly natural and of superior
nature She her side, fixed her large eyes upon me
With kindly curiosity, and paid me compliments on my
face which would have been exaggerated and too direct
# they had not seemed to escape her nvountay which
gave an irresistible charm to her praises. My embar
rassment did lot iuue me in her opinion. She under
stood it. and expressed desire TO frequently
her return to Paris. She going to COppet Madame
de- Sae was then but as a transient vision to me, but thg
IMPRESSION il left was most lively. thought Of nothing
but Madame de Stae so strongly had her ardent aud
powerful nature acted upon mine. It Vol l. p. 81
Such was the first meeting of these two remarkable
women the beginning OF friendship which for strength
and fidelity will stand comparison with any friendship
that has subsisted between the most mlgnsnmous
Both had great weaknesses but the qualities and the
sentiments that could inspire and maintain such friend
ship through all the temptations aud tcrror OF such
period in the hearts OF two women the most admired,
the most hattered the most eager for admiration,
the most dependant the opinion and sympathy OF 9th
era that ever existed suffice TO convince Of the alec
tonate generous nature which almost the only gift
tley had in common. Their prctentons indeed of
a totally different kind; but we all kno. that this will
dsarm the jealous rage for popularity, or envy Of
any kind of superiority
There is curious example Of this in no less person
than Napoleon Bonapirte. Nine Recamiers first Of
fence against him was that she attracted the eyes Of
assembly convened 10 DO him honor Il was at the
grand reception given by the Directory 1884, 10 the
queror of Iaiv in the great court OF the Luxembourg
AT the end OF the court altar, and upon it
statue OF Liberty at the foot of this symbol the five di-
ecors clad in Roman costume the ministers, amblssa
doris and various unctonaries ranged on amphithea
tire: behind them benches for invited guests. On
of these were seated Madame Recamier AMI her mother
She had never seen General BOuapirtc but shared in
the general enthusiasm for the youthful conqueror. At
that time he very thin, and his head had striking
character of grandeur and frmuess. Madame Recamer
where she sat could distinguish his features which
she had very natural curiosity see and while Barras
was making loud speech she from her feet to look
at him. At this movement which disclosed her whole
person. the ewes of the crowd were turned upon her
and she was greeted By long nurnur of admiration
This noise did not escape Bonaparte. He turned his
head suddenly to the spot to which the public attention
was directed 20 what object could have diverted it
from himself he baheId young lady dressed in white,
and threw at her glance, the OF which she
could sustain, and Instantly sat down Vol l. p.