Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1904-05-19
this instance is peculiarly agreeable. =

4 Oh the FaialS Royal, AFTER an evening
with Lecouvreur at the Theater Fran
Gals, some scattered groups of persons
! evidently possessing consequence. The
chairs of others, from more distant To-
cations, threading their way through
the narrow, dark and unlighted streets
Of the old, crude capital of France,
brought their passengers in time to a
scene far different from that of the
| gloomy streets.
AS one trod within the door of this
temple of the senses, surely it must
have seemed to him that he had come
into another world, which at first
glance might have appeared to be one
of an unrighteous ease an unprincipled
enjoyment and an unmanIy abandon
ment to EMPOWERED vice Yet here it
was that Philippe of Orleans, ruler of
| France, spent those hours most dear
to him. If he gave thought to affairs
of state during the day it was but
| that these affairs of state might give
to him the means to indulge fancies
of his own. Alike shrewd and easy,
alike naughty and sensuous, here it
was that Philippe held his real court.
These young gentlemen OF France,
these roues who have come to meet
Philippe at his little supper-how diff
ferent from the same beings under the
rule of the Grand Monarque Their
coats are no longer dark in hue Their
silks and velvets have blossomed out,
even as. Paris has blossomed since the
death of Louis the Grand. Jabots of
lace are shown in full abundance, and
so far from the adjustment of jewels
from their garb, rubies, sapphires, dia-
monds sparkle everywhere, from the
clasp of the high ruff1es of the neck
to the buckles of the red-heeled shoes.
Powder sparkles on the head coverings
of these new gallants of France. They
step daintily, yet not ungracefully, in
to this brilliantly-lighted room, these
creatures, gracious and respondent,
sparkling, painted, ephemeral, not I'M
suited to the place and hour.
For the ladies, witness the attire,
for instance, of that Madame de Ten
Gin, the wonder of the wits of Paris
A full blue costume, with pannier more
than five yards in circumference, un-
der skirt of silver gauze, trimmed
with golden gauze and pink Grape, and
a train lying six yards upon the floor,
showing silver embroideries with white
roses. The sleeves are half-draped, as
diamonds, showing folds lying above
and below the silk underneath Mad
anne wears necklace of rubies and of
diamonds, and above the pannier a belt
cf diamonds and rubies.
The guests, as they advanced into the
room, paused as they met, coming from
the head of the apartment, the impos-
ing figure of their host Philippe of
Orleans, his powdered wig drawn close
" into a half-bag at the nape of the
neck, his full eye shining with merri-
ment and good nature, his soft, yet not
humanity figure appearing to good adj
vantage in his well-chosen garments,
advances with a certain dignity to meet
his guests.
welcome, my very dear ladies" ex-
claimed Philippe, advancing to the
! head of the board and at once setting
all at ease, if any there needed such
encouragement, by the grace and good
| feeling of his air "You do me much
honor, ladies. If be not careful, the
fair Adrienne will bef me jealous, since
/ fear you have desc ted the pomp of
the play full early n the table of
Philippe. Ladies, as you know, I am
your devoted slave. Myself and the
| Vicomte de Bechamel have labored,
seriously labored, for your welfare this
day | promise you something of the
results of those painstaking efforts,
which we both hope will not disap-
point you Meantime, that the mo-
ments may not lag, let me recommend,
| if / am allowed, this new vintage of
Al, which Bechamel advises me we
have never yet surpassed in all our
efforts. Madame de Tencin, let me
beg of you to be seated close to my
arm. Not upon this side, Mademoiselle
Haidee, if you please, for l have been
wheedled into promising that station
this night to another. Who is it to be,
my dear Caylus? All, that is my Sc
cret! Presently we shall see Have
not promised you an occasion this
evening? And did Philippe ever fail
in his endeavors to please? At least,
did he ever cease to strive to please
his angels? Now, my children, accept
the blessing of your father Philippe,
your friend. who, though years may
multiply upon him, retains in his
heart. none the less. for each and all of
| you, those sentiments Of passion and
of admiration which constitute for him
his dearest memoriesl Ladies. pray
you be seated. pray you tarry not
too long before proving the judgment
of Bechamel in regard to this new
vintage Of All"
"Ah, your grace, exclaimed De Ten
Gin, were it not Philippe of Orleans,
we women might not be apt to sit in