The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1873-03-15
FRENCH SOCIETY AS TT IS.
THE SENSATION OF THE SALONS
HIGH LIFE BELOW STAIRS.

THE SENSATION OF THE SALONS
HIGH LIFE BELOW STAIRS.
Marriage of the Duchesse De Persigny-
The Inevitable Mother-tn-Law-The
&C., &c.
Correspondence OF the London 1imes.l
PARIS, February %.
1t Is very difficult for careful observer to
follow the daily history of Paris since politics
nave been introduced In the salon and
comedy into politics. Beyond the amusement
created by the proceedings Of the ''Comms-
sion des TreDte" at Versailles, the traditional
French gayeiy has been little apparent during
the past week. The assemblies In the Fau-
bourg st. German are the latest novelty here.
Since simple bnt aristocratlc minds have
been led to believe that there was chance OF
the fusion being effected, there has been
series of gatherings In tnat Faubourg. Bnt
these soirees intimes, held between courtyard
and gardens, with windows closed and cur
tains drawn, have solemn aspect which
prevents me from Including them among the
gay fetes of the Partisan world.
The two events which have been really ex-
citing In those great mansions have been the
marriage of the Duchesse de Persgny and the
ball, which is styled "des gems de naison."
The marriage of the Duchesse de Perslgny Is
not mere event In private life. Her family
has done everything 10 their power to call
public attention TO this act, and 1t may,
therefore. be referred 10 without indlecre-
tion. During The Dukes lifeline the
Duchess went to Cairo Tor more genial
climate, and there she received intelligence
of the illness. and subsequently OF The
death of the Duke. She quilted Cairo
with seli-denying haste, and reached Nice In
time to convince herself that the Duke was
really dead. The Duchess assumed the
deepest mourning and came TO Paris TO
spend The first period oil her widowhood.
Being free, she felt disposed to marry NJ. le
Moyue, q young widower OF good family,
who occupied an honorable position at Cairo.
NJ. le Moyne was himself the first 10 dissuade
the Duchess from the chvarous Idea she en-
tertained, and The newspapers, which have
been all along the conAdants OF these Two
hearts, duly published very honorable letter
of N. le Moyne, in which he pointed out to the
Duchess the error she would commit In wish
Ing to marry him. But the Duchess persisted
In her resolution. M. 10 Moyne did not stand
alone In deprecatlng marriage. The Duchess'd
family opposed IL most strongly, but their
opposition only confirmed her in her resolu-
tion. In the presence OF such unalterable at
tachment M. le Moyne no longer hesitated.
and came 10 Paris, prepared 10 assent 10 The
wishes OF the noble widow. But the family OF
the Duchess was leas yielding than the future
bridegroom, and finding that all efforts al
persuasion would be Intellectual, her mother
made an application TO court oflaw 10 prevent
her daughter from carrying out her Intention,
and also to con1ne her In maison de saute.
The cause OF the duchess was vigorously de-
tended, and the court rejected The application
OF the family. Armed with the Judicial de-
cislon In their favor, the duchess and III. le
Moyne presented themselves before the COM
petent civil officer, who married them straight
way. Three days later The religious marriage
was celebrated. This ceremony was perform
ed In the Chapelle de Ia Saint Verge, which
Ia situated beneath the church Of st. Augustine.
No member of the family was present. Twenty
three persons we're In the chapel, including
NJ Charles Lafltte. witness for The bride, and
NJ le Comte de Malaret, the uncle OF III. lie
Moyne. The ceremony was simple, and the
usual collection was made by the son OF tne
Duchesse and Mdlle. le Moyne. The Comtesse
de Gallifet and several other ladies' were
among those present.
While the ex Duchesse de Persgny volnn-
tarIly abandoned her title 10 become Mad
ame le Moyue, transformations of wholly
different character might have been Wilt
messed on Friday night, " the Salle Valentl-
no, where was held the annual Blades gems
de T,d,son," or, In other words, of the SER
wants In great establishments. 1t is the Gus
tom at these balls that the servants should
be known by the names OF their masters or
mistresses. Thus, any foreigner present who
had not been previously enlightened would
have brought away singular idea Of the
French NOBILITY. There are none but prln-
cesses. duchesses, marqnises, countesses or
baronesses. The latter lille is no numerous!y
represented that it Ia rather contemptuously
looked down upon. The gentlemen are 10
full dress and the ladies display the latest and
most elegant fashions. Upon entering the
room was very graclously saluted oy gen.
tleman of distinguished appearance, VINO Is al
tached 10 the household oil diplomatlc mar
uuis, and who, In douning his masters coat,
had forgotten to remove the grand cross Of
foreign order. The Illusion was so complete
that was aoout TO offer my hand, when he
explained, with all the simplicity OF good
taste, that he was the valet de chambre VINO
was accustomed to Introduce me when
called on the marquis, his master. This mis-.
adventure put me on my guard, ano Watcnea
with natural curiosity The scene tnat was pre-
sented 10 me. II was very singular scene,
and one which showed how great u part dress
has In conferrlDg distinction. Upon finding
myselr In presence of the gems de la malson,
/ was struck with their discreet behavior, and
strange fidelity with which they copied the
attitudes Of their masters. The val.
els de chambre OF diplomatlsls talked
with stiff necks swathed In high era
yats, with impasslble countenances, scru-
tInlzing looks, and lips breathing mystery.
The servants of the Faubourg st. German
looked upon those of the Faubourg st. h0nore
with poed-humored impertineIce, and the lat
Ter returned their disdsin by sneerlng looks
and distant behavior. Que felt In observing
these ppople that the fusion at any rate DE-
tween The two riubourgs was still subject OF
difficulty. This was more remarkable among
m. ladies. The attendants upon the vieille
noblesse were lew in number, and those
irw were altlred In stiff, severe dresses,
with precious lsces, and loaded with dla-
mouds, magnificent, II Ill set. The ladies'
cf the Fan6ourg st. Honore had wealthy
but BOURGEOIS appearance, pretty dresses,
bnt somewhat deficient In taste; mucn
iewelry, less splendid that those OF the
Faubourg 81. German. but mounted IN more
mo,Iern tasle. The ladies from the Boulevard
Haussmann were rather fiighty 10 their ap'
pearapce, their tollettes more decolletees,
their hair more ex!ravagantly dressed, and
they trlflrd with their fans 10 the most capll-
valing slylp. Truth compels me 10 state tnat
The Boulevard Haussmann attracLed the great
est number of admirers. 1t must also Dc
added that the Boulevard Ralssmann accept
ed with ready frankness all the compliments
offered, as also the glasses OIL mulleu wine
which were presented. The Fauoourg ot.
Honore displayed coquetry which Seemed +. 10
be a little Affected, while the Fauooure St.
GprmaIn renamed in their chairs
THE COMING WORLDS Fir.