The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1867-02-12
Pen Sketch of the Empress Eugene.

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"From Spain" 1t rivals fairly and de-
servedly Irving's mastery book, and
should at once be translated into Eng
lish. He gives therein the beautiful
ink and pen sketches of the impressions
both the court and country of Spain
have made on him. The following is
his portraiture of Eugene as she ap-
peared at the Court of Spain few years
ago: Eugene unites the most hand
some features ofthe German and Latin. l
may even say of the Arabian-races.
The forehead high and free the eyes
splendid blue, but not very large; the
hair of a coloring lightly darkened hue ;
the form of her face small, oval; the
nose fine, in beautiful symmetry, not
too high the mouth little bit too
large and especially when she smiles, a
little Jewish. Her complexion is adj
'mirable-that means admirably paint
ed. for nobody of the aristocracy will
HEIRESS-LOVE her natural complexion, he it
ever so fine. But after the first rounds,
and when she had taken some water
with Bordeaux, her cheeks began to
redden and heighten her beauty ears OF
exceedingly beautiful form, and then
her whole figure She is of medium
size, not so large as her picture suggest !;
slim, flexible, and still full. Her APP
pearance is still that of virgin, the most
spledid model for Hebe-breast neck;
shoulders, arms, and, above all her
hands, beautifully shaped, combined
with the grace of all Andalusian dan
seuse.
But Eugene, without any constraint,
moved like lovely bird, from one to
another; stepped closely, almost Ca
ressing, up to everybody, and convers-
ed in the most fascinating manner.
When both were retiring, and at the
entrance to their rooms, turned once
more to make their obeisance to the en-
tire company, then the difference be-
tween the two ladies was fully dis
PLAYED. The Queen set her whole body
in motion, and nodded then once more
very friendly with her head, like an
unembarrassed woman of the middling
class. Eugene followed her. She
turned herself with the most gracious
ease, put her little foot firmly on the
floor, stood like nailed on, bowed then
first the upper part Of the body and
brought it then forward, with the most
enchanting and easiest motion, like
swan bending its neck, and without
turning, disappeared slowly behind the
doors. She there showed the wonder
full motion of the upper part of the body
in which movement the Andalusian
danseuses are unequaled-in its highest
degree of perfection.
But she must speak Spanish, in order
to display all her grace and beauty.
Though as the daughter Of an Irish Ia
dy, she speaks the English like her
mother tongue, and the French with
ease and fuency, yet in both these Ian
guages she speaks onl y with the mouth.
She conversed in the liveliest manner
with the king, and there and then the
eyes, the mouth, the hand, and above
all, the sweet fingers participated in
the conversation, giving to each word
the proper sense and the right meaning.
When, after the coffee had been ia
ken, another circle was formed on the
salons of the King-not one of stiff Ell
quette, but of ease and without con-
W IlClS GiCll -utlSSGlSo StIS Jill
bowling to most of the invited guests,
and addressing but few words to
some select ones, and where the ladies
and gentlemen are uniting more in
groups than in straight lines the Queen,
anyhow, kept a certain line, dragged
herself from one to another, nodding
smiling as friendly as ever.
And then her toilette. What task
for man to describe it! She wore
wide dress, with white and dark blue
stripes. The latter seemed to be ofvel-
vet, the white one of silk, interw oven
with silver. A large scolloped trim
ming of black and white illusion or
lace. The basque, striped in the same
way, was sort of Amazon jacket
large half sleeves.-Around the neck a
narrow, blue velvet ribbon, adorned
with the richest diamonds. The head
dress, the most charming, the most ele-
giant have ever seen. A little silver
wreath of leaves, fine filigree, entirely
studded with diamonds, sat somewhat
coquettish upon her brow, and encircled
her forehead. From this little wreath
hung here and there little diamond
pendants, set like drops, and fell upon
her charming neck. Over the diadem
she wore little ornament of blue vel
vet, to which a costly blue feather was
attached, SO that the diadem, with the
head dress, formed most charming
Scotch bonnet; the more so, as on the
right side a blue and white feather were
standing erect. Behind the hair, two
white veilish ornaments were pinned to-
gether, which reached down to the low
neck of the dress, without, however,
touching it. The hair hung down halt
the neck, was plated back again, on
the left long curl, which soon danced,
soon rested, on her beautiful finely
shaped shoulders.
The ladies admired this toilette in
silent devotion. Even the stern diplo-
matte gentlemen were out of their look
ing at this head dress. And still she
looked too coquetish for an empress.
As an Andalusian, what she is by birth
as a woman, she was undoubtedly the
most perfect creature I have ever look
ed upon. The good Queen of Spain had
her heavy diadem straight on her head,
like Queen on one of the playing
cards. A chain of pearls, of incalcula-
BILE value for most of them were as
large as pigeon eggs), adorned her
very full neck. She was shining with
,diamonds-the Empress was shining
with Eugene.