Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-06-13
THE EVENING STAR.
Ihe Fins, wedding Of aIedame Bodi.co


A correspondent who witnessed the wedding
of Madame Bodisco in Washington last week
gives the following "reminiscences Of her first
marrange: FsG ssT-
L remember the Countess when she was a
school girl in Georgetown-the sweet and
lovely Harriet Williams, the favorite queen of
every May day. Her father, worthy mer-
chant OF that ancient and respectable burgh,
gave her every advantage Of education; but she
was as simple, artless, and unaffected as the
daughter of an humble citizen could be. Her
personal loveliness was something rich and
rare when the sixteenth summer shone on her
bright eyes Her form was q model for q sculp-
tor, so deIicste and roundly shaped-a dream
of beauty seldom realized on earth. The Count
Bodisco first saw her among her school COM
panions, and was at once conquered. He was
old. but in excellent preservation, and when
made up-aS be always was whenever he ap-
peared before, not only company, but his most
intimate friends-he made good figure in the
most agreeable society, and was highly accept
able, not only in the saloons of the fashions
bic, but in all well bred circles. His good ma
ture and intelligence 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
unbounded admiration. Indeed, he loved the
great statesman and orator to q degree rather
uncommon among men. But there was really
strong tincture of romantic sensibility about
the excellent old Count. He was fond Of sim
pie pleasure, and pure and innocent enjoy
mentS.- The attachment of children to him was
extraordinary, and could only have been con-
eiliated by that genuine benevolence and ten
derness of heart which beamed from his coun-
tenance and gushed out in his cordial voice
he wOoed and won the affections of the most
beautiful girl that had ever been seen in me-
tTopolitan circles. His old Diplomatic col
had Ial.
sneered-the beam monde wondered, but he
had his own taste, and he made the sweet,
young, blooming Harriet Williams his wife.
1t was splendid wedding, becoming the
representative of the Emperor Of all the Rus
sias, but tasteful, chaste and elegant in all its
appointments. Henry Clay gave away the
bride This was in compliance with the par
ticular 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
maid The festivities were in the highest style
of that hospitality for which Count Bodisco
was so long famous among us. He was de-
voted, some would say a dOting, husband, and
she was loving, attentive, and in every re-
MS munlhcent home, the ornament of his social
circle, the companion and friend Of his life,
and the chief solace of his last hours
What world we live in , What change
from the scene in which saw that bright and
beautiful girl give away her first love, radiant
then as the morning star just above the hOri-
zon What strange alteration had time
wrought in few short years. Here was the
magnificent matron, on whose face could yet
discern the lineaments that in earlier days
nlled all hearts with tenderness, and even
some OF that peach-like bloom which was the
GROWING grace Of her girlish complexion. And
beside her was gallant cavalier, in the full
vlgor Of manhood, bearing names consecrated
by associations of history and rOmsnce-the
Douglas, the Gordon and the Scott. Who will
say that reality has not its romance?