Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-06-20


both before and after his own attack.
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS AND MADAME DE
STAEL,-Early one morning | received note
from Madame de Stael. requesting me to call at
her lodgings that same day at noon, as she
wished to speak to me on a subject respecting
America. went accordingly at the hour APP
pointed and on entering the Lady's Saloon
found there company of some fifteen or twenty
persons, not Soul of whom had ever before
seen. An elderly Gentleman in the full uniform
of an English General was seated upon the
sophia; and the Lady, whom Immediately per-
ceived TO be Madame de Stael, was compli-
menting him with equal elegance and fluency
upon the glories Of his Nation, his countTyman
Lord Wellington, and his own. The Battle of
Salamanca and the Bombardment of Copenha-
gen were themes upon which much was to be
said, aud upon which she said much. When
went in, she intermitted her discourse mo-
ment to receive me and offer me a seat, which
Immediately took, and for about half an hour
had the opportunity to admire the brilliancy Of
her genius, as it sparkled necessarily in her con-
versation.
There was something little too broad and
direct in the substance of the panegyrics which
she pronounced, to allow them the claim of re-
finement. There was neither disguise nor veil
to cover their naked beauties but they were
expressed with so much variety and vivacity
that the nearer had not time TO examine the
thread of their texture. Lord Cathcart received
the compliments pointed at himself with be-
coming modesty, those 10 his nation with ap-
parent satisfaction, and those to the conqueror
of Salamanca with silent acquieScence. The
lady insisted that the British nation was the
most astonishing nation of ancient or modern
times. The only preservers Of social order-the
exclusive defenders of the liberties of mankind.
To which his lOrdship added that their glory
was in being a moral nation, a character which
he was sure they would always preserve. The
glittering sprightliness of the lady and the
stately gravity of the Ambassador, were as well
contrasted as their respective topics of praise;
and if my mind had been sufficiently at ease to
relish anything in the nature of an exhibit
ton, | should have been amused at hear
ing French woman's celebration of the
English for generosity towards other nations,
and a lecture upon National Morality from the
Commander of the expedition 10 Copenhagen.
During this sentimental duet between the Am
bassador and the Ambassadors kept my seat,
merely an Auditor: the rest of the company
were equally silent. Among them was an
English Naval Officer, Admiral Bentinck, since
deceased He was then quite the chevalier
d'honneur to Madame de Stael; but whether
the scene did not strike him precisely as it did
me, or whether his feelings resulting from it
were of a more serious cast than mine, the mo-
ment 1t was finished and the Ambassador had
taken leave, he drew very long breath, and
sighed it out as if relieved from an oppressive
burden, saying only, Thank Godl that's
over" He and all the rest of the company i'm
mediately afterwards retired, and left me tete-a-
tete with Madame de Stael Her subject repre-
senting America was to tell me that she had
large sum in the American funds, and to en-
quire whether knew how she could contriye to
receive the interest," which she had hitherto re-
ceved from England. gave her such inform
alton as possessed. She had also some lands
in the State of New York, of which she wished
to know the value. answered her as well as
could, but her lands and her funds did not APP
pear to occupy much of her thoughts, She
soon asked me if l was related to the celebrated
Mr.. A., the Author of the Book upon Govern
ment. said had the happiness of being his
son. She replied that she had read it, and adj
mired it very much-that her father, Mr.. Neck
er, had also always expressed a very
high opinion of it, She next commenced upon
politics, and asked how it was possible that
America should have declared War against Eng
land? In accounting for this phenomenon was
obliged to recur to a multitude of facts not so
strongly stamped with British Generosity or
British Morality as might be expected from such
a character as she and the ambassador had been
assigning to that nation. The Orders in Council
and the press-gang afforded sorry commentary
upon chivalresque defence of the Liberties of
mankind, and no very instructive lesson in
morality. She had nothing to say in their JUS
tifcation; but she thought the Kuights.errant
of the human race were TO be allowed special
indulgence and, in consideration of their cause
were not to be held in the ordinary obligations
Of War and Peace. There was no probability
that any argument of mine would make i'm
preston upon opinions thus toned. She listened,
however, with as much complacency as could
be expected to what said, and finally asked me
why had not been to see her before? ] an-
swered thath high reputation was calculated to
inspire respect no less than curiosity; and that,
however desirious had beer of becoming per-
sonally acquainted with her, l had thought
could not without indiscretion intrude myself
upon her Society. The reason appeared to
please her. She said she was to leave this City
the next day at Noon; she was going to Stock
holm to pass the winter, and afterwards to Eng
land; she wished to have another conversation
with me before she went, and asked me to call
and see her the next morning.-Letter from
John Quincy adams, in Lippineotfs Magazine.