The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1871-01-19
WHO WAS SOUVREiGNE :?
BY T.. A. ROBERTS.

WIN Vho oo0NnIiSiNL
BY l.. A. ROBERTS.
1t was in the fall of 1914 that Emile Souv
reigne first came to Baltimore to reside, in
the unpretending character of mu sic teacher
Philadelphia, in the pursuit of a like humble
calling-that of teacher of the French Ian
guage in young ladies' seminary. He ad
mitted, however, that he had a more ambi
tious aim in coming to America than his pur
suit of either of these vocations would imply.
He had for years studied, with ever increas-
ing interest, he declared, the history and in
stitutons of our republic, which he regarded
as the model government of the world; and
he had now come among us in the hope OF
being enabled to study our social and domes
tic life through familiar intercourse with our
citizens at their homes He had enjoyed in
Philadelphia every facility that could be de-
sired for the furtherance of this project, hav
ing won his way without difficulty into the
choicest society of the city. He had been
especially impressed with the many admira-
BILE traits of that circle of wealthy and culti-
waited Quakers, peculiar to Philadelphia,
which has long been remarked by discrimi-
mating foreigners as forming one of the most
charming features of society in America ;
tlilu uC Cu VCuly IlIeth IL 1lo httN
desired nothing more than pleasant home
in the United States he would have remained
permanently in the city which, through for
tuitous circumstances, had offered HIM his
first abiding place on our shores. But the
plan which he had proposed to himself con-
templated an extended tour of the States,
that should occupy several years and afford
him opportunity to remain long enough in
each considerable city throughout the country
to render himself conversant with any dis
tinctive social characteristic it might be
found to possess. He had so far made no
systematic notes of his observations, he said
and if book should ever be digested from
them-which was possible-it would be writ
ten directly from his heart and his head, and
not from the dry bones of Il tourists note
book
Such was Souyreignes programme rs an-
nounced by himself; and though it was cer-
tainly an ambitious one, there was that in
the mans address and his evident ability and
sincerity, which left no doubt in my mind
that he was fully equal to the task which he
had set for himself. He had brought most
hattering credentials from Philadelphia to
many prominent business and professional
men in Baltimore; and these, together with
his eminent social qualities, won for him
speedy admission into the most select circles
of society noted, at that day especially, for
its culture and polish.
Notwithstanding this general and hearty
reception and recognition, Souvreigne did
not escape that social inquisition to which
the social lion is everywhere duly subjected.
Who was he? Had he no credentials back
of those which he had brought from Phlla-
delphia? Might he not, after all, be only a
plausible adventurer, with all the gloss but
with of tho Suhctnpon of tho nnurtIu
gentleman he appeared to be? 1t was in
evidence that he manifested a marked reluc-
tance to engage in conversation upon any
topic relating to his position at home. If
pressed with questions in this direction, as
now and then he was by some over inquisi-
tive person, cloud would come gradually
over his face; he would quickly lose all
vivacity; his answers would be evasve and
unsatisfactory; and his appearance of dis
tress would appeal so forcibly to the better
nature of his inquisitor that ordinarily the
subject would be speedily dropped. 1t was
proved further that, for some occult reason
this mysterious individual, upon entering a
drawingroom, might always be observed to
glance swiftly from one to another of all the
ladies present, as if searching for particular
and expected face; and in support Of this
hypothesis it was shown that he habitually
should meet only ladies whom he had pre-
vously met and attended relgiously such as
promised him opportunity to extend his ac-
quaintance. A habit similar to this last men
toned was known to mark his conduct even
more noticeably in a public assemblage !;
his omnicient opera lass seemed always to
be seeking for a face which it seemed never
to find.
A hundred theories were advanced and
canvasscd to explain these several peculiar
tiles of a man who was admitted to be, as to
all things overt, wholly without rcproach.
But one conjecture was as idle as another,
and as time passed and Souvreigne became
more familiarly known, all disposition to
suspect or distrust the man melted away be-
fore his suavity and accomplishments. If
indeed he was only an imposter, he wore the
mask of gentleman with such consumate
grace that every day it seemed to fit him
better, and at last all question as to his an
tecedents, failing of any answer whatever,
was for the time waived BY common con-
sent.
Meantime Souvreigne did not neglect his
calling. He took little Office in Lexington
street, put out little card, and soon had all
the pupils he cared to attend to, most of them
being young girls whom he instructed at
their homes. 1t was curious to note how
unanimously these tickle creatures began in
vehement disparagement and ended in en-
thusiastic admiration of the new teacher. II
should be said in justification of this impul-
sive criticism, however, that Souvreignes IS
attraction was Of the spirit not of the flesh {;
and if one judged him solely by the eye, as
school girls are wont, the judgment was
quite likely to be against him. He was a
tall and thin man of about thirty, as straight
as line, with sallow complexion, a
bristling beard, long nose, and dark
and very prominent eyes-pleasant enough,
these eyes, when you had become accustom-
ed to them, but liable to startle and embarass
others than school girls merely, when first
encountered. His whole countenance wore,
in repose, an expression of gloomy and bur-
densome thoughtfulness; while to add still
further to his forbidding aspect, he appeared
on all occasions clad in unrelieved black.
Though Souvreigne came in time to have a
large number of acquaintances in Baltimore,
and though he was received everywhere and
at all times with a most flattering cordiality
AS such man could not fail to be after he
had become known, yet he appeared to make
few intimate friends, and was a frequent
guest in not more than two or three house
holds. Among these two or three was that