Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1865-06-24
THE HARD WORK OF AN EMPRESS.


So the lovely Empress is left alone to perform
the duties incidental both TO her own peculiar
state and that Of the Emperor as well. The coun.
Gil days are above all laborious and fatiguing,
and the more we reflect the more our wonder
grows that the frail and delicate frame OF the
Empress has power TO resist the strain upon the
nerves and vital powers imposed upon her by the
duties of her position. The council in general
assemblies at one O'clock Her Majesty has already
received the visits and compliments of the vati
Gus officers of her household, has heard mass In
| her oratory, has given orders for the arrange.
ments OF the day, and made her second toilet
/ The council lasts certain time the signing OF
the decrees more for her Majesty pastme than
toll has nevertheless its dark side, for Imperial
etauette exacts that she should listen TO the read
ing of each decree before II IL presented to her for
signature; then comes the official dejeuner q la
| fourchette then another toilette; after which,
| the council broken up, the Empress enters the
large blue drawing room, and, seating herself In
| a State fauteu, awaits the official presentations
which are introduced one by one TO her notice.
| As many as seven of these presentations have
taken place in one day, her Majesty compelled to
| change her very being TO suit each peculiar IN
terest laid open TO her sympathy, TO be alternate
| ly glad aud joyous, or sad and mournful, accord
| ing to the occasion of congratulaton or condo
/ lence which Is offered. As we all know, nothing
/ ia more fatiguing than this changeful COmedie
| Humane, which usually leaves the performer ex.
hausted even alter the frat changement a vue.-
| What must il be, then, when whole afternoon is
/ passed In this terrible ordeal?
But neither physical nor moral fatigue must e
| listened to. Away, away TO the Bois de Bou-
| logne! Another change OF toilet is submitted TO;
/ the carriage containing the Empress Regent fresh
| and lovely as ever, dashes down the Champs Ely.
sees. That peculiar exercise Of the neck and
/ shoulders which belongs TO French sovereignty,
i and seems to be one OF Its most burthensome la
and frnrn 90
of the Tuileries to the Imperial stand at the race.
course at Longchamps does the terribly IA
| tguing bending and bowling Of the head begin
| to right to lefl, in 'front.' sometimes a graceful
| swing comprising every direction, but incessant-
| ly-always-without pause. In the Imperial
| stand begins another excitement The Emperors
| prize must, of necessity, create breathess in
terest in the bosom of the Empress, and the race
must be followed wi h an appearance of the most
/ intense curiosity. That strain upon the nerves
over back flies the carriage to the Tuileries.-
| Bowing and smiling, smiling and bowng, with
ulceasing and exhansting movement does the
| Empress Regent tear down the Champs Elyseei
once more Fatigue must not be listened To-.
| The toilet has to be thought of once more. Hey
| for the pearls and emeralds once belonging To
| Marie Louise the large rose diamond and ruby
clasps once belonging to Marie Antoinette! The
labors of the evening have begun even before
| the sun has set A grand dinner is TO be given
/
the leaders Of the new party are invited for the
first time, and attention must not flag tor mo.
| ment.
The dinner is over, the guests have parted, but
/ is repose TO be had at LAST No. indeedl An.
| other change of toilet Is needed; flowers are
placed in the hair, Liz hter robe Is douned, and
away to the opera for the most wearisome task
of all, that of sitting out the last four acts of a
dull performance with fatigue in every limb and
muscle, and the compusion to conceal the desire
10 find relief in yawning, which, however, serves
one good purpose, that Of exciting feeling so
| ferocious against the whole world that the slum-
| Der which would otherwise ensue Is rendered i'm
possible from its very intensity This trial over,
| do the jaded frame and weary mind find rest at
| last Not yet dispatches have arrived from
| the Emperor. Some of them require an answer
/ on the instant. The Minister needed for the
peculiar business demanding attention has to be
summoned, and sometimes the night has half
waned away before the Empress Regent is allow
ed to seek that repose which has been so long
| delayed that it has now become almost impossi-
BILE to find.-Paris letter.