Daily national Democrat., 1861-04-07
The Queens of Society.

whatsoever quaIltIeS contribute To make up
the character Of charming woman. Were
we to 90 back to the times Of Aspa-ia Cleo
patra and the other Queens (not to say
queans) of Greece and Egypt, not emitting
those of Republican and Imperial Rome we
would consume too large space, and even
now the field that is before Us is too broad for
a mere newspaper article
We have on our table, from the book store
of Randall d CO., y street, n work by those
very graceful CO. o-writers, Grace and Philip
Wharton, Of England, entitled the "Qucens
of Society" The authors have selected
eighteen ladies', whose names have adorned
the social history of England and France, as
lila trative of the certain periods in which
they lived OF these six were as much cele-
bra,ed for their literary talents as for their
social position. Seven were eminent poliu-
cal leaders, who fascinated great men and
swayed parties by the charms Of tongue and
and manner, and by the wles Of intrigue
The illustrations in the book have been exc.
cutcd with especial attention to costume and
known pecularites Of dress, and the artists
have introduced, wherever practicable, port
rats OF the persons represented.
The biographical sketch Of Sarah, Duchess
Of Marlborough, is particularly interesting
She was beautiful beyond description, ,coquett
ish but prudent, and perfect mistress oi po-
ijca intrigue. Her husband, the great Duke
and General, as well as accomplished coui-
tier, (he won the lovely Sarah's heart in the
first place 10y his exquisite dancing) was fire.
quently and for long periods absent in the
wars which made his name glorious, while
she was the grand center Of attraction in the
court at home. Yet, all that political malice
could invent and the lampoons of interested
salrists inllict to stain and sully her name
failed to bring her down from the command
ing position which she occupied. She lived
to the age Of cighty-lour, and at sixty was
still beautiful, not having grey hair in her
head. Ut may be interesting to the ladies TO
know that, to preserve her hair She used
honey water) 1t would seem that this re
woman was more pleased with in
tclcct than mere manly beauty, since her
greatest iavorile was the celebrated Lord
Treasurer of james Second and William Third,
Sidney Godolphin, whose countenance was
harsh and deeply marked with the small roX
lie had, however, great soul and when his
feelings were touched, he would weep ike a
woman. His smile was also peculiarly win
ming, and his eyes penetrating. paid set
OF Infamous writers made it their business to
blHckcn the character of Lady Marlborough,
on the score of this attachment, but failed to
seriously iniure her She retained the friend
ship of those whose friendship was most val
liable aa well as the confidence of her hus-
Uaud to the laet Though a Queen of society
She was NO favorite with the greatest man Of
that day, to wit: no less a man than the King
Of England after James Second, the stern
and cold William, Prince of Orange. lie ha
ted takers (for he had won for himself by
his taciturnity the title of William the Silent,
speaking only when it was necessary and
then to the purpose and Lady Morlboroughs
grand gift WAS conversation.
The sket n Of Madam Roland, whose name
occupies so conspicuous q page in the Reyo-
lutionary history of France, is written in
style most fascinating The features of this
wonderful woman, this Queen indeed over the
hearts of men, were not in themselves Leau-
tiful. Her face was round rather than oval,
and her profile finer than a full view. The
point Of her nose was thick and the nostril
too much dilated. The mouth was large,
but she smiled sweetly and her expression
was that of gentleness and kindness, Her
forehead was high, broad and calm, and her
hair fell in long luXuriant curls over her
shoulders. But for fuller description, see
| the book. She married her husband, when
he was past forty,a tall thin yellow individual,
with a bald head and stiff manner. There
was nothing personally attractive about him.
except his voice, which was exceedingly soft,
and that first won the fascinating young
Marie Phlippon, for such was her name. lie
was thinking man, too, had travelled, and
could talk interestingly. He had learning and
strict principles and these also seemed to
draw the maiden who was herself intellect.
ual She never ioped him, but married him
from esteem and regard for his mind, which
was after all, inferior to hers As for him
self he probably never knew what passion
was. lie married for mind, too. 1t was a
cold rational and uncomfortable marriage,
but Madam Roland lived through it patient.
ly and faithfully, The history Of the meet
ings held at the unpretcnding house of Mad
am Roland and her husband, 10y the schemers
for Republican liberty, is thrilling. They
were held four times week. There came,
among the rest, Robespierre, afterwards the
King of Blood with his small, angular and
feeble figure, ugly face, heavy brows, deep
eyes, which glared in their sockets, sharp
nose, "puAing at the noslrls with wild
anxiety" large mouth with thin lips sneor-
ing, and betokering no feeling Of sympathy
or affection. Strange to say, it was this very
man who-afterwards in the mutations OF
the Revolution, when the friends of constitu-
tional liberty went down before the mad
spirit which committed SO many hidcous
crimes in the name of liberty-sent Madame
| Roland to the scan'old. 1t was not long after
these meetings, in which Madame Roland
was behind the curtain, through influencing
her husband, leading spirit, that she rose in
fortune and position, and became the leading
star of brilliant political society which
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