Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-02-01
How a Semi Royal Family Live.
From the Missouri Republican,

LISBON, December u.
The Montpensiers, although living a
Lisbon in most complete retirement
have yet attracted the sympathy and re
spect of the people at large, and hav
found sources Of happiness in their owl
family circle, far superior to court ia
vors or the caprices of royalty.
was asked to go to their house few
evenings ago alta o'clock, an hour whel
more protentious royalty is about sittin,
down to dinner, The gathering was evi
IDENTIFY intended for the enjoyment of tn,
children, from the manner in which il
was composed. As there were but few
persons present, it ia easy to tell wht
they were. The Duke and Duchess
with all their children (of whom they
have seven), except the Countess d,
Paris, who resides in England, received
their guests with the greatest urbanity
and kindness
There was no display, as the family il
supposed to be 10 the country. Perfect
simplicity, good taste and grace presided
over the establishment. The company
consisted of Mr.. Lisboa, the Brazilian
Minister, bis wife and daughters, and two
children; Count Bannelos, late Spanish
Minister at Lisbon, his wife and two
daughters Mr.. James E. Harvey, the
American Minister, evidently welcome
guest; the Secretary and members of
the Spanish Legation. These, with one
or two others, and the household of the
Duke and Duchess, completed the circle,
which was altogether in time. We had
vocal and instrumental music by the
mother and two eldest daughters, lovely
girls of sixteen and seventeen years,
with Spanish games and other diversions,
in which young and old alike partici-
pated. The table was removed from the
dinipg-room, and we all danced and
walized, the Duchess leading the quad
rille, with four of her children in the set,
and with ss much satisfaction and true
dignity as if it were state ball. The
whole scene was a picture of domestic
joy, rarely to be met in any sphere Of
life, and il impressed me greatly with the
loveliness of character and excellence Of
the noble woman who set SO fine an ex-
ample Of unaffected virtue to her house.
We took leave before midnight, and the
younger people bad preceded us. Every
body was happy, and in separating, each
one wished only to participate again in
so charming reunion of family joy.
Like all well regulated households, that
of the Montpensiers is directed with a
moral discipline which is both exempla-
~ aud positive. They rise at Z o'clock.
and the whole house, servants included,
assemble at prayers. Then succeeds the
distribution Of duties and studies, of ex-
ercise and recreation, all Of which are
systematically regulated, as is necessary
in so large an establishment Here good
order exists throughout, there is no strain
anywhere, and each person performs his
part naturally and cheerfully.
A little incident will illustrate the dis
cipline of which / speak. am dining
quite en- fdmille with the Montpensiers,
for they only receive in that way. Every
memser Of the family, except a sick
child of a year old, and including sweet
little Prince Of two years old, who con-
Quoted himself like perfect gentleman,
was at the table. /. was q true patri-
archal picture and lovely to see.
IL 20 happened that the eldest bey,
nine years old, had omitted some duty
or failed in some lesson, for whic b the
penalty was mo dessert" When the
servant handed the fruit to the child l
noticed that be colored in declining, and
this was subsequently repeated. ! asked
the Duke's Secretary who sat next TO me
the cause, and be let me into the secret
As ! was the only guest At the table, i
ventared 10 petition the Duchess in the
boys behalf, saying il would add greatly
10 my pleasure Il his penalty could be
RENTED. She answered that she could
not interfere herself, bat If the Princes