Delaware State journal and statesman., 1865-07-04
jeaO-2m
THE EMPRESS EUGENE.


The graceful and lovely Sovereign, who, in
the absence Of the Emperor, rules over the
destinies OF this great nation, assists Mass in
the Chapel Of the Tul!eres every Sunday ut
noon.
That small church, in which 30 many
soyeteigus now in death, bowed down in prayer
before the King of Kings aud Lord of this
Universe, is situated nearly in the centre Of tue
ancient palace of the Medicis. Tho part of the
church reserved for the Court is in the upper
gallery taciug the altar. Visitors, with cards
are admitted iuto the lower part Of the chapel,
and few in small tIibunea close to tho seats
reserved for the S1vereigns As l had the
privilege Of being Que Of the latter, quite close
10 where the Empress knet Ia prayer, aha
uy few words ou the scene witnessed, ami
on the lovely woman whose virtues and taleuts
have epieared her to the people Of France, and
VIII sc il 1aeuce has been so beneficial to oh0rlty
AMI religion.
Entering by the celebrated Pavilion dc
l'Horoge, the visitors mount the IN mtguifcent
staircase lending to tue sta'e apartments. Up
these steps generations Of the eite Of every
nation Of the world have passed in all the pomp
aud pageautry OF dress and military array.
They have also been troddGn by the wild aud
angry popuiace in the delilium Of revolution,
and more than once we're stained with blood
The painters art has left on canvas fearful and
terriole episodes Of civil warfare, aud the
historian has filled pages with the scenes Of
strife and disorder enacted on these marble
steps, now covered with rich oarpeiing, aud
lined with guards aud servants in uniform aud
livery
The visitors are introduced to a splendid
Sale d'Ausnte near the chapel, where they
Remain until the ar iyal Of the soveI eigns. Two
Of the Cent Guard, in brilliant uuilvrn, their
/ aht urHa tIt..tr
stand as senunea at the door leading to the
gallery. A little after twelve the tribuue1 arc
opened aud the htisSisr cries out IN IA loud
voice, "Llmperairlce." an EYES wert imme.
dlately turned TO the two arm chars in tho
centre of the gallery Surrounded by .tfcers
IN brilliant uniforms, covered witA siars aud
crosses, the gentle aud lovely Empress advanced
and bent down in prayer.
The couhIeunnce aud person Of Empress
Eugenie have been often described anl pliut-
ing and photography have made them familiar
to those who neser had an opportunity of con-
templatiug them it would therefore, be almost
presumptuous TO attempt deineating them
still cauuot refrain from giving shori ske,cn,
mere outline OF the fair aud lovely woman, as
she appeared in that little chapel, surrounded
with some uf the nobleet representatives, OF
beauty and chivalry in this great empire
! The Empress Is little above the ordinary
heignti for this oountry her figure IL pc teety
symmelrica, possessing that rare and hap y
msdiGm between slight aud full Art has never
4 done Justice 10 her features, whieh are
czquistely formed, aud perfect in every detail.
4 Iae forehead is without line or blemish,
purely white. The eyes large, full, ana beam
log, with tue sweetest expression Of kindues,
und feeling the mouth is exquisite in form aud
expression, and oh tue whole countenance reigns
youthful smile OF Innocence, tfmper,d at tlmes
by tnge of melancholy No angry pa sion
no bitter feeling, has left it's mark la the lines
OF thought that form the whole ensemble Vt whnt
is called expression ia the human face The
rudy glow and rich color We see in the portraits
Of winteThalter AID other painters does not
exist iu tue original The whole counieuance,
without being pale, has no markell hlsh or color,
but there is q soft hue on the smooth Lheek that
defes tue painter's art, bat which is rot loss
visible aud evident. II is Of an evaneaoent
nature, iia tints changing With tue feelings any
emotions Of the heart--in the solemn parts Of
tho Holy Sacrifice, or when turning With
I maternal solcituds to watch over the deyotious
Of Der l5vey child, whose features ara q miniature
| OF her own.
A plan tule bonnet, with yellow flower At
one side, aud a few small rossbuds ia the border,
a black lace osp, aud silver grey silk dress,
I with hoWing tfaiu, form the simple but elegant
toilet Of the Empress Regente Of France. who
holds the sceptre Of beauty and fashion without
having RECOURSE to the gaudy aud unsel decep-
tons of art.
During the Mass she followed the service with
that serious piety that makes the mind forget
tie world around, TO commune with One where
soyereigus aud subjects must render alike an
account Of their good and evil deeds aud where
birth, fortune, mud rauk ayaieth not.
sianding behind thekmpress aud the Imperial
Prince, stood some Of the most iuslrious
soldiers Of France, Marshals, Generals, Sc Al
their left was Marshal st. Jean D'Augely,
Napoleon the Firsfs Officer dOrdonanco at
Waterloo, aud who, at tue battle of Magenta,
fought ltke lion at the head of the Imperial
Guard, uuh the arrival OF Marshal McAlahon,
whose yigor and genius changed what might
have been defeat into a glorious victory. lie
is splendid type of hero-powerfu in frame,
und possessing still oil the energy aud yigor Of
young man
To the right Of the Sovereign stood the cele-
brated Marshal Valiant who had distinguished
himself also under the First Empire, and who is
considered as one of the best engineer officers
living. lie Is, too, foe, porty looking maa,
but time has not spared him as it has his
veteran companion. Marshal Magnan, General
Roin, aud several other men of note, were ia
the group, whose varied uniforms aud decorations
produced brilliant effect.
When Mass was over, the Empress, accom-.
panied by her son, and followed by her suite,
proceeded through tue Sale d'Attente to the
state apartments. Sue bowed to the visitors AS
she moved gracefully forward, with that ease
aud elegance which, when not natural, eau never
be acquired
Josephine, Marie Louise, Eugenie The three
Expresses What a world OF souVenirs must be
brought back to the minds of those sodiera who
had witnessed their three successive regns
All that tradition gives US Of the charms,
grace, and goodness OF the first, Of the beauty
of the second, seem TO be oombiued in the last,
the present Empress.
There were several Irish people among the
visitors, some of whom, at least, could not see
without emotion one who go often came to the
relief of their starving countrymen, aud whose
munifcent charity saved many an innocent
victim
In the Church Of St. Roche, at St. Clothilde's,
when the great Bishop Of Orsaus aud Mgf.
Mermillod appealed to the French people / q
favor Of the Irish, the largest contributions
were given by that sovereign, whose good deeds
and charity have oheered many a lonely heart
in this country aud IN our Inflated and unhappy
! land. Paris Cor. Of Dublin Nation.
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CITY GARDENS.