The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1870-01-22

! HoG ihtciloFe Will MS Pleasures, Re he
quently, when 4 theological student climbed
over the garden walls of the monastery.
and visited the theatre to seen the perform
ances of celebrated actress.
He was ordained priest, and rs the Able
de Perigord, made his debut in the gay cir
cles of Paris. Witty and polished of main
ner, lie soon found himself the favorite of
that society where wit, not wisdom, is the
passport, and where the ability to amuse,
and not real worth, proves the great salts
faction. At the court, he was found chiefly
in the gay circles presided over by Madame
du BARR, the favorite Of the king, Louis
Nv. Everywhere he found the arms OF
society open ready to receive him: and he
passed his time more like profigate court
Ter, than 4 pious ecclesiastic
1t was not only to the character of a
court wit that Taleyrand aspired; he en-
tered largely in the money speculation OF
the day, and became quite successful
gambler i'll funds
At this time lie was created Bishop of
Autun. Louis XVI, who was now king,
knowing Of the irrel. gious and proflgate life
led by the Able Perisord, objected to this
dignity being bestowed upon him; but,
through the persuasions Of others, he set
aside his objections and presented the reck
less priest the living to which he aspred
Carlyle speaks Of him AS "that irreverend
Reverence Of Autun;' and we'll he might.
for on the occasion of public ceremoney.
at which he was to perform the principal
part in the religious observances, he thus
writes to lady: self you were as much
pleased with the place provided for you, at
the ridiculous ceremony Of yesterday, as
was myself to see and admire you in the
seat you occupied, you must have borne
the storm with the same composure that ]
did.
hope that your usual penetration has
not misled you with regard to the divinity
to whom was addressing my prayers and
my oaths of fidelity, and that you knew
that you were truly that supreme being
whom l do and ever shall adore in my
heart
At this time Talleyrand had taken pub
lie interest in politics, though not to the
extent which he afterwards did when he
had been Invested of his bishops robes
The news Of his gambling and other I'M
clerical acts reaching the Pope, he threat
ered to excommunicate him, unless he re
pented Of his sins against the church. 1t
is needless to say that he did not repent;
and he gladly availed himself of the oppor-
tunty to throw aside character which
proved so burthensone to him. We cam
not call Talleyrand a religious pretender:
he did not enact the hypocrite, he wore M
mark Of piety, threw no cloak over his sins.
he was just what he seemed to be: he re-
served all his discrimination for his diplo-
matte and social career
Freed from his ecclesiastical shackles, II,
commenced the life of diplomatist, in
which capacity he acquired tie renewH
which has made his name SO widely known.
He was then thirty-eight years of age; o.
handsome exterior, though slightly lame.
and with polished and pref osses> man.
ners. Anxious to please, he knew how to
play skilfully upon TIE strings of the
human heart; keen at detecting the weak
ness of others, he understood how to con-
ceal his own; and he governed men more
by his wonderful tact, than by the super
iority Of his wisdom or genius.
In his character Of diplomatist he was
sent to England, and while there, letters
were discovered duplicating him in an in
trigue with the royalists Of France Sem
tence of Punishment was passed upon him,
and he turned his footsteps toward the
refuge Of the oppressed, America. II,
took up his residence in Philadelphia, and
while there, suffered all the prvaten OF
extreme poverty. His lodging place was a
small attic room, in 4 shabby house, stua-
ted in miserable court. His only furn.
ture was cot and one chair; he was fire.
quently without fire, and was compelled to
sell his watch to procure food and fuel
His friends in France exerted themselves
successfully to obtain revocation of his
sentence of Punishment, and once more the
exile had the pleasure finding himself in
Paris. The gay circles welcomed him joy
fully; and politics became once more the
object of his pursuit. 1t would be almost
impossible TO give a just idea of the politi-
cal views of this prince of diplomatists:
like many of the politicians of our day, he
veerea about with SO much velocity, that it
was difficult to determine on which side he
stood. We can not give Il better idea of
hispeculiar policy than in his own words:
Hank the tocsin ceases-ue triumph.'
"We, who, prince -
"Hussh not word; | will tell you that
tomorrow. OF course, when tomorrow
came he found himself on whichever side
had gained the day.
One of the most singular phases of the
career of this remarkable man was his
marriage with Madame Grandt Bcauti-
ful but ignorant; graceful, attractive, but
without virtue; twas astonishing that man
Of Talleyrand's attachments should have
welded thisuneducated and not over-refincd
beauty, But the radiant loneliness of COL
den hair and snowy brow, which sxtorted
from him what he calls an " instantaneous
devotion, had no power to enchain last
ingly the love of Tallsyrand, and lie tells
us, 8" My passion for Madame Talleyrand
was soon extinguished, because she was
merely possessed of beauty" The conss-
quencs af this diminution of love was y
separation; for the husband, utterly with
out principle or virtue himself had no idea
Of enduring the shackles of natrimony
when his wife had only become weary