Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1861-03-17
THE BROKEN CUP.

Al the large cities Of Europe possess scmI
samples OF the products Of the rich maBufac-
tories Of SeFres. Oae OF the most precious o.
these specimens was 20 be found some year
ago at Venice, in The palace of the Countess
Erminis D. This was breakfast service o
old Sevres, Of a soft pale color, composed o.
eiett pieces-a sslver, cofiee-pOt, cream
pitcher, sugar dish, and two cups and sau'
cers, adapted 10 what is called z bfeskfss
fsie-a- tfie.
TIE breakfast service was a marvel OF taste
and eleEancs--a masterpiece, admirable al
oacs FOR its elegance Of shape, for its richness
of ornament, and for the exquisite charm snt
fncompsrable merit Of its painting. Eact
piece bore the mark cf its origin, the date o.
Its fabrication. and the signature Of its ma kers
Ths origin was indicated BY two double SIS in
tsrlsesd, painted in blue on reverse OF th'
pieces A double J placed between the tw'
s5s indicated the date OF 1877. Lastly, certain
well kn0wn signs proved that tbe most esle-
brated artists OF the time bad executed the d.
Tsrs paintings which contribute in ornament
ing works Of Cernmiqus, and which were al
united 81 the specimen The model OF tht
pieces had been designed by Lsgrenee; La
roche hsi painted tho sTabesques; Sioux The
flowers; csstel the birds. The landscapes q
The msdallions were Evans, and the hgursl
Assslin's and PithoI's.
The Countess Erminia had received this SCI
Of porcelain % legacy from one Of her IN
eles, Who had bought It at Paris during ths
rsrolution-proceeds Of the pillage that took
place at that disastrous epoch, OF the houses
of the upper classes. Among The artistic
treasures which the fair Venstisn possessed
this one was the obiecr Of her prediction.
The eountsss was remarked as one Ct tb'
most distinguished ladies Of Venice. She wai
twenty-five or six years Of sg-, perfectly beau
tfful. verv ricb, and or unblemished virtue To
these advantages she Joined that Of being free
and as sne showed some disposition 70 unite
herself again in The bonds of matrimony, nu-
msrous suitors disputed the prefsrs1ee.
when the competitors bad al furnished
rroof of their smiable qualities, the eountesl
made her choice, and ofhcisily elected Count
Adriano R., ~ her future husband. She could
not have chosen better, IN order 10 make
marriage Of incilnstion and convenience Be
tween the count and countess there was parity
81 fortune a. well ss Of title. Their personal
advantages were equal. The Count Adrlano
r was one Of The handsomest and most am
liable cavaliers OF Venice.
The marriage was to take place in one
Atfh
T6e count came every day familisry to SEE
his bctrothed, and passed with her the tesi
usrt "a the time. One Of these long sittingsi
90 fuli Of charm, vas disturbed BY a painful
accident.
wishing TO examine closely the paintings Of
he gsvres breakfast service, the count had
the m luck TO let fah and break one OF the
CUPS.
me countess being present uttered terri
bie acrsau. and fell insenEibie on The sofa
When she revived, it was only to yield 70 hi
Of despair snd passion.
~ young man was dlsmaysd at the
sfecis of bis awkWsrdness. Surely be should
have been astonished &c see the countess 50
dsepiv affected By the loss OF material object,
and Il would have been quite naiHFal, st the
eigbt Of her fury, TO make some reflections up
on The insonyeniencies Of a temper 50 qute8ly
reused but 70, this accomplished loFa
touched by one thing 0nly-the pain eap
the woman be loved
The broken cup. It is true, LETT deplori sie
blank fn the porcelain ssiVer. where little os-
partments in relief were arranged for esen
piece, 90 that he loss could not be concealed.
al will arrange tbat;i said the count " and
viii find the match TO the cup ] destroyed q
have 70 60 and search FOR It myself 81 the
msnufsetory At sevfeH."
q That is The best thing you can Do" drTyly
snswered The countess. Go, thcni ugnl
away
al have q better project to propose. We
shall 90 together. We viii max voyage 70
Paris Immediately after our marriage
"Don't talk to ne Of marriage ~ cried me
countess, whose irritation was a. its hight.
VIII not marry you until yoo shall have brought
ne ny eupB
Tie count tried 70 have this too severe sen
tenee revoked, but bis prayers were vain. I9s %,
fah venetian was absolute ~ her WIZ
espeeisily when it was whimsical and excfoi-
tsnL Submission was inevitable; ana the
young count, disciplined as are az ltallah
lovers eilaertook the voyage which bad Deeh
Imposed lpon bin. He took the surviving eer
tof conf eIlsou, carefully surrounding u WIN
many folds o. ss55ing- and solidly enclosing
me Whole 10 an iron bound box, that Il might
lave boxing to fear from 3 joit or fan.
The count had no idea OF having cup made
~ SePrea % nateh the one be bad destroyed.
lie wen knew that was impossible, and tnai
neither the ancient marks. the dates, nor he
slgn4tures OF ihe artists, could be reproouced-
Neither was u a counterfeit be wished, nor an
irnitaiion, good or bad. but be bored that TIE
nenuiaetofy night have formerly Fabricated
eeFeIei pieces similar 10 the one be desired
tnAt llefe might remain still scms in theif
possession "lle1 be could easily ob.ains snc'
81 AZ ets-ls' be was provided with warm
reeommendatiens to smooth an difficulties.
20 De arrived at Paris, full Of hope, and
Bis cup.
They aid not have tie match 30 sen hlu,
bat tbey Informed him hat two similar sets
bad been made by order of Qasen Marie An
toinetle, VIC had given them to two Of her
faForitss Madame tbe Princess De Lambails,
ane = - ne TIE Countess de P0lignac.
fhee S'uhisss Efminis possessed the latter
81 Il tsupl..a tn. end ., Il. mission, III.
eou9 ~ % ollsf chance left but 20 find the