The weekly Mississippian., 1860-10-17
European Correspondence Of tho e...s-
sissippian---No. s.

Us Deautliui gardens. It's entlcing
oouiesards, its delightful promcnades, its gall
'eries Of painting and sculpture, the Lauvre
ana other temples of art and science, and
nave come to Fontainebleau to seek quiet and
retirement, together with rural enjoyment.
here one can almost say that we live in the
country, for the city is surrounded on every
side by the most magnificent forest in the
world So great is its extent, that you may
ride IN it for weeks and never pass along the
same road, and. then too, it has SO much wild
and picturesque. Formerly it was fine
huhting-ground, abounding in game of all
Sorts but during the frequent convulsions
ana revolutions which have burst over France,
the people were permitted to enter it, ad
60'tam, and in this manner most Of its game
has been destroyed, in addition to the grand
old trees,-the relics of feudal times.
Fontainebleau is probably the most delight
iui place in France during the summer months.
~ is an object Of interest to the tourist, as
much through its forest as its historic SOU
Imperial chateau which have to, day visited.
1t is the most famous of any in the Empire,
except the Tuileries. One likes to linger for
hours over its classic contents and dream in
its spacious halls Of its ancient gories. 1t is
there that Napoleon signed his unconditional
abdieation, and in the court in front of the
chateau, reviewed for the last time his warm
followers, and from its lofty steps in the
presence Of assembled thousands, delivered
touching tribute to the military merits Of his
| devoted, yet defeated legions, and then amid
solemn silence bid adieu to his weeping war
riors and retired to the Island of Elbe The
little nnassuming table upon which he signed
his abdcation remains an object of curiosity
to the vlsltor-and of veneration and love to
the Frenchman. Each apartment is conse-
Grated by some historic event. In one OF its
rooms Boneparte imprisoned Pope Plus VII,
an act never dreamed of in Catholic countries
before his time and generation.
The gardens, ponds and lakes are most
charming and beautiful. In the Etdng da1
! Corpes, upon the banks of which in the Jordin
| Anglais, | write this letter, there is species
of fish called the corp, many of which are
two and three hundred years Of age. They
rarely die. In all the lakes are seen two
lovely swans happy in the undivided admi-
ration which they receive.
Through the kindness of a friend had the
honor of receiving an invitation to attend the
distribution of prises to the studentssof the
Ecole des Freres. Availing myself of its
privileges, l attended to witness the cere-
monies Of the day. The enclosure was
beautifully decorated and band Of music dis
coursed some animated French pieces. Upon
arriving in the vast amphitheatre, was con-
Quoted to seat upon the platform, where l
occupied position between the Mayor and
an officer of the army amid several Catholic
priests. The primary exercises were con-
Quoted in manner very similar to those in
our own county. Defamation and the
acting Of dialogues were first in order, after
wards cam, the distribution of prises. The
Mayor presented the first one to a student
some sixteen or seventeen years Of age, in
brief and Hattering speech, then kissing the
lad on either side of the face resumed his
seat. The next one, the principal of the school
handed me to present to youth of fifteen
years, whose appearance clerly indicated that
this anticipated memorial of scholarship were
the result of proficiency and merit. at first
declined on the plea that was stranger
and only spoke French indiferently well.
But be would listen TO no objection and in
sisted on my performing the request. Re-
luctantly Iconsented and advanced upon the
platform to where the flushed and anxious
app5 excited than he or VOC ar tf6R tfD6RRafraSea an
modest man) and in a very small speech,
translation of which am almost tempted to
give, presented him with handsome edition
of the French classics, then following the ex-
ample of the Mayor, kissed him on either
cheek and sat down amid cries OF brauo,
ecoutey ct tres bien, much to my astonishment.
Thus / was forced to act a part in
public demonstration which little expected.
At the close Of the exhibition l was invited
to dine in private family. l met there many
persons Of distinction and high social position,
and among others the mother and sister of
the youth whom l had crowned. Upon |
being presented to them, they greeted me
with true French afiability and cordiaiity, and |
extended most polite invitation for me to
visit them-as matter of course l will COM
ply Indulge me in stroke Of the pen in
relation to the latter She is one of the most |
perfect beauties with whom have ever met,
and she is as pleasant and agreeable as beau
tiful. She has countenance of indiscribable
Italian softness an eye of liquid hue, form
and physique imposing, not to say exquisite,
manner the most distingue, and foot, the
pretty proportions of which l shrink from
describing In addition to these graces, she
has a mind as dazzling as her form is capti-
waiting. She plays perfectly upon the piano
and sings charmingly. However, of these
good qualities will have better opportunity
of Judging hereafter. -
went to the dentist of the city yeserday,
the only and the best one in the plaee, and
found him taking pictures and pulling teeth at
the same time. He had two customers, (if
may call them such) one sitting in chair
with his mouth wide open and his eyes
tightly closed, and the other, likewise in a
chair not far off--with his mouth tightly
closed and his eyes wide open. He at first
arranged the head of one for daguerreotype,
md then that of the other, for IDENTICAL duty,
ind when both we're properly seated and fixed,
he performed both operations and to the COM {
,lete satisfaction of both parties. l had
previously started to his office with the re-
norseless resolution, of getting rid, under j,
my circumstances, of two complaining masti- :
but after viewing with mine own c
ye," the above described scene, my courage
ozed out as | came to subject myself to the r
peration he approached me without wash S
ng his rough hands, or even wipng his tooth
rawers, freshly stained with the bleod of the !
revious heroic victim. suggested to him :
he propriety, even decency of so doing, but a
e said that business was business, he had not ;
he time to spare, and besides it was not his !.
nstou. This was more than | could undergo, n
D leave for Paris tomorrow to see an t
american dentist. b. w. S.
The Opinion of Governor Letcher.
WAsHisGToS, October 2 Just now, Vir- e
mia politics is the principal subject of discus
on among our quid nanes Gov. Letcher, it u