Des Arc weekly citizen., 1869-03-09
THE FALSE E.ADYE.

There were merriment and music in the Chateau des Tournelles--at that time the abode of Frances royalty .- Music and merriment, even from the break of day! That was a singular age--an age of great transitions. The splendid spirit-stirriug soul of chivalry was alive vet among the nations--yet, although fast declining, and destined soon to meet it's death- blow in the spear thrust that hurled Henry, last victim of it's wondrous system, al once from saddle and from throne !--In ev- cry art, in every usage, new science had effected even then mighty changes vet it was the oil world still Gun powder, and the use Of musketry and ordnance, had introduced new topics yet still knights spurrcd their barbed chargers to the shock, still rode ir complete steel-and tilts and tourna- ments still mustered all the knigtly and the noble; and banquet> al high noon, and balls in the broad daylight, assembled 10 the board or to he dance, the young, the beautiful, aud happy.
 There were meriment and music in thc court--the imll---thc ,tair-casc-the saloons of state! All that France held of beautiful. and bright, aud brave, and wise and noble, were gathered to the presence Of their King.-And there were many there, well known and hon ored in th0se oldeu days; well known and honurcd ever aner,-Thc first, in person as in place, was the great King :. ---the proud and chivalrous and prince y,--bccoming his high station at all times and in every piacc-weariug his state right gracefully and freely-the second Henry Land at his side young Francis. the King -Dauphin; with her, the cynosure of every heart, the star Of that fair company-Seotland's unrival- led Mary hanging upon his manly arm, and gazing mp with those soft. dove like eyes. fraught with unutterable soul, into her husbands face--into her husbands spirit Brssae was there, and Joyeuse, and Meyers; and Jarnac, the renowned for skill in fence, and Viellevile; and the Cardinal Lorraine and all the glorious Guises,-and Mont
 morenci, soon to be famous as the slayer of his King, and every peer of France, and every peerless lady.
 Loud pealed the exulting symphon
 ies; loud sang the chosen minstrelsy- n1 In hn1 in flood of tinted lustre through the rich many coiored panes of the tall windows, glancing on soft volupsuous forms and eyes that might outdazzle their own radiance, arraycd in all the pomp and pride Of that magnificent and stately period-a m ore resplendent scene could scarcely be imagined That was day of rich and graceful cos- tunes, when men and warriors thought it no shame to be adorned in silks and velvets, with chains of goldsmith's s work about their necks, and jewels in their ears, and on their hatbands, but tons, and buckles, and sword-hilts and if such were the sumptuous attire of the sterner and more solid sex, what must have been the ornature of the court ladies, under the gentle sway of such being as Diane de Poictiers, the lovely mistress of the monarch, and ar bitress of the soft follies of the court
 The palace halls were decked with every fanciful variety, some in the pomp of blazoned tapestries with ban ners rustling from the cornices above jocund dancers, some filled with fresh green branches, wrought into silver arbors, sweet garlands, pertaining the air, and the light half excluded or tenn pered into mild and emerald radi- ance by the dense foliage of the rare exotics. Pages and ushers ripped il to and fro, clad in the royal liveries embroidered with the cognizanee oi Henryathe fuigist salamander, bearing the choicest wines, the rarest cates, in every interval of the resounding dance IL would be tedious to dwell longer on