The sun., 1896-06-21

books. Buiwer declared that he had MT, but thai
he covld. And then how ho would recrimlnate
severe for h. thought nobody knew books de-
fects / III b, we'll as its author and he had a
great idea of criticising his works In post
huInous memoirs.
It was after "The wondrous Tale Of Alroy"
was published that Count D'Orsay introduced
Disrneli to Lady BlessinRton. whose friend ho
at once became A contemporary account of
his appearance before startled dinner party at
this date is quoted In tho book before us. 1t ap-
pears that, on this occasion, he wore black
velvet GOAT lined with satin, purple trousers
with gold band running down the outside
seam, scarlet waistcoat long lace rufies fall
Ing down TO tho tips Of his fingers, white gloves
with several brilliant rings outside them, and
long. black rInRlets ripping upon his shoulders.
Assuredly. none but man Of genius could ven-
ture to present such a figure in a British house.
hold, and among the most conservative
OF nristocracies. A somewhat similar descrip-
ton is given Of him by n. p Willis. who dlned
with him At Lady Blessingtons. Here. II seems,
Disraeli was magnificent =" He sat In o window
looking out upon Hyde Park, with tho last rays
OF daylight reflected from the gorgeous gold
flowers OF a spenddly embroidered waistcoat.
Patent leather pumps. awhile stick with black
cord and tnssel. and quantity of chains about
MS neck ana pockets served 10 make MIN q con-
spicuous object" Then. as to his personal
appearance. he was lividly pale. and but for the
energy OF his actions and strength of his lungs.
might have seemed victim 20 consumption.
His eye black Erebus, and had the
most mocking. lyinR-in-wait expression i'm
aginable; while his mouth was alive with
q kind OF working and impatient nervous
ness. and when he has burst forth. rs
he doe. constantly. with n particularly success
ful cataract Of expressions, 1t assumes . curl OF
triumphant scorn that would be worthy Of a
Meph!stopLeles. His hair is as extraordinary
as his face and waistcoat. A thick, heavy mass
of Jet black ringlets falls over his left cheek,
almost to his coilarless stock. while on the
right temple 1t is parted and put away with tho
smooth carctulness OF girl" Bulwer who was
at the same dinner, was badly dressed. but wore
a flashing waistcoat OF the samo description as
DisHei's. Count DOrsay. on the other hand,
was very splendid. but indeflnabl BILE. He seemed
showily dressed TIL you looked for particu.
lars, and then 1t seemed only O simple thing
fitted to very magnificent person."
His constant appearance in society gave Dis
raeli ample opportunity OF falling In love. of
which, however. he persistsntly refused to
avail himself. With all the romance and
poetry Of his character, he seemed somewhat
cynical regsrdir : this emotion. Once he asked
his sister how she would like Lady q for o
sis,er-in-law. VERY clever and f25.ooO As
for love. all my friends who married for love or
beauty either beat their wives or live apart from
them. This is literally the case. I may COM
NIT many folles in life. but never intend to
marry :or love. which am sure is q guarantee
OF infelcity." But, though he could keep out Of
love, he could not keep free from debt
His election expenses. his manner OF
living. and the bills which he had
hacked for friends who we're unable
to meet them weighed upon him heavily.
He considered that a poet suddenly disturbed in
the midst of the rapture OF creation by . dun
ming letter was an object OF pity: he complained
OF the cruelty ofhavng his powers marred at q
moment when he believed they might produce
something great and lasting At times. he
dreaded 20 leave the House on account OF tho
Phlistines who were lying in wait for him
without. He was eventually eItricated from
financial straits by his marriage to Mrs. Wynd-
ham Lowis, whom no had once described az "a
pretty little woman, a fiirt and rattle: gifted,
indeed. with volubility should think un-
equalled, and OF which can convey no idea
size tu|3 me that shc liked silent mon. / An
swered that had no doubt of It."
BEFORE the end OF 1885 q notable figure was
added to Lady Blessington's circle In tho person
of Prince Louis Napoleon Bonaparte. son OF
Louis Napoleon, King of Holland. and Of Hor-
tense BeauharnaS daughter OF tho Empress
Josephine by her fret marriage. BY tho death
OF tho great Napoleon's son. the Duo de Reich
stadt, in 1882, Prince Louis became. In tho
opinion Of his followers. heir to tho throne Of
France. his attempt 20 gain which, in 1896,
caused him to be banished to the United States,
whence he set sail for England and took up his
residence in London. In Rome Lady Blessing
ton had met the sX-Queen OF Holland. and
had received from her a superb sapphire ring
set with diamonds. The friendsh hi p then formed
by Lady BlessinRton with his mother had
paved the way for the sons reception at Gore
House, where he had the opportunity of meeting
some OF the highest Ministers OF State whose
good will might prove servceable to him should
he ever attain the position Of which no then
only dreamt. Heavy -iidded, pallid- faced. reti-
cont he was observant and thoughtful; and,
though not n brilliant member of Lady Bless
ington's coterie he was one who aroused much
interest as refugee, as one who had known
adventures and before whom possibilities lay;
as man. moreover. who exercised over all who
approached him strange magnetic influence
which they found impossible to reslst.
In 1s40. whom Lady Blesslngton was living
In Paris, having been compelled to leave Enl-
land and sell all her personal property in order
to pay her debts. Prince Louis Napoleon was
rrssident OF the French republic. 1t WAS hoped
nns Inss ne would make .npo r@t4rn for kind,
from Lady Blessington. The hope however,
was not fulfilled On hearing OF her arrival, the
prince invit ed her and her ncoes to call on him
a. the Elysee, and later asked tire an Carnt
pOrsay 10 dinner. But tho mRnE.r .lo Gl.Ir-
ing OF the President was not thai OF the
re- lH"e; a punct'liois poteness empA0',ICd
Tather than concealed the difference IN Ms
feelings toward those close friends and tii
hosts; difference which cut TO tho quick
tho generous, warm hearted woman to whom
he owed much But Lazy Blessngton's life In
Paris was destined to be a short ono. She died
IN June OF the same year at the age OF 80, and
she 10 buried In the churchysri 81 Chambourcy,
near 81 Gsrmain-en- Lays. on the wall above
the granite mausoleum were placed two whto
marble tsblets, each containing IN inscription
one OF which wns written by Barry Cornwall |
tho other by Walter Savage LandGE. OF the |
latter, which was In Latin. the following In an |
English version; 40 the memory Of Marguer-
ite, Countess of BlessingtoiL. Underneath lies |
all that could lie Inferred Of a once beau
tiful woman. Her own genius she cult !
waited with zeal, In others she fostered tho |
growth Of genius with equal RssIduity. Tho |
benefits she conferred she could conceal, but |
not her talent Elegant tn her | ,'pitaltty to
D'Or6Ay her doath WAS an immeaSurable loss