The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1877-04-06

bright, fresh, new hopes spring up in the
spirit; how all the capabilities of the soul
for wisdom are strengthened Rare in
deed is such an attachment, although it
is perhaps priced more than either
wealth, fame or knowledge by the ma
jority of mankind,
The queen valued it more than she did
the costliest of jewels, and fairly lived in
the devotion of her husband. Beautiful
children grew around this affectionate
hearth, binding still closer together the
hearts Of their parents. No outward
clouds could ever darken the soft, mellow,
amber tinted happiness of such union.
Danger would only more closely attach
the two, and adverse fates would be felt
only for the sake of the beloved. Thus
they lived for twelve years without sor
row, except when they mourned the death
of two of their children, and even such
bereavement loses half its poignancy when
the heart is filled with conjugal affection.
1t is always a pleasure to contemplate
the felicity of good people, and we will
glance at them in one of their happiest
moods. Marie Antoinette was seated in
a fauteuil, in a luxuriously furnished
boudoir in her little palace, the Trianon,
within the bounds of Versailles. Her at
tire was simple white dress, her hair
was arranged in plain and becoming
manner, and she wore no jewelry. Her
children were seated on each side of her.
One arm was wound around her son,
whilst her little daughter toyed with the
disengaged hand The king sat opposite
them, holding an open book, which he
closed when his wife signiied her wish to
converse with him.
The warm summer air was tempered by
gay, breezy, frolicsome wind, which
bore on its fleecy wings an echo, as it
refrain. 1t playfully touched the
queens fair brow, and the loose locks of
her children. She looked out of the win
dow into tho tranquil blue above, and
gave herself up to the influence of the
scene. There are in this world moments
of such exquisite rapture, when it seems
as if the heavens were bent low, and the
whole world wears an aspect of such
new, rare, and divine loneliness, that we
scarcely breathe with blissful awe;
thought is suspended, and we are borne
far above reality by waves of fanciful,
ecstatc emotion.
Perhaps this is one of the blessings re-
served for the saints in heaven, and we
are permitted such foretastes of bliss in
order to convince us how greatly celes-
tial felicity can excel the beatitude Of
every other. For such moments, although
they make life very delightful, likewise
preach to US eloquently of the joys of
heavenly existence. The queen felt this
as she gazed out on the sailing clouds,
with their quantity changing shapes. At
ter few moments, she exclaimed:
"My dear Louis, how potent must be
the charm of your book, when it can win
you from all the living, wonderful beauty
so freely displayed in these delightful
! views from our window"
"My book has no such spell as your
voice, my enchantress," answered the gal
liant husband, as he closed the volume,
and the habitual melancholy left his
brow, whilst subdued expression of
genuine fondness stole over his agree
BILE features.
81 thank you for what you say, with
all my heart for l know that you are
sincere" replied Marie Antoinette, as
look of wifely tenderness irradiated her
expressive face. ut is so delightful"
she continued, ''to have one true, noble,
loving friend,in this false, hollow, artificial
sphere of ours"
I'm glad you find it So" returned the
king, with voice and eyes that bespoke
grateful emotion.
as not this your experience, likewise?"
she asked, with simple frankness.
at is" responded the husband. 81
was stranger to real happiness until
knew true affection for yourself, and re-
ceived the same from you; but then
never could make an admired and at
tractivc figure in any gay assembly,"
Thanks for your implied compliment
to myself" laughingly rejoined the queen.
81 own that find plenty of fun ,andja de-
gree of enjoyment in amusing society,
but it is never deep, satisfying happiness
like the quiet hours spend with you aud
the children. These awaken all that is
noble in my nature; whilst amongst frivo-
lous persons l only see something to
make me laugh; and you will pardon me,
when | tell you that people are very
comical in the French court"
why do you think SOP" asked the
kisg, little national jealousy traceable
in his tones
"Their manners are so prim, not at all
like the graceful freedom of our gay
courtiers in Vienna. Many of the French
ladies seem like mechanical machines that
been have patented, and warranted to
move, act, and look in just such way"
"Can we blame them if they have been
so trainedf" was the thoughtful response