ornaments, which I do not recollect, all wrought with the same taste and skill. Altogether, this Toilette is exceedingly interesting, as exhibiting a brilliant relict of Napoleon's and Maria Louisa's golden days. PARMA, MONDAY, Nov. 12.-I have been disappointed in a voiture to-day, and am detained here till to-morrow, and so I will note a few more particulars respecting the Ex-Empress. As her mode of living is often a topic of conversation; and as the fact of her second marriage has been questioned, it was a natural subject of inquiry on arrival at her capitol. But it is a topic on which the Parmese are extremely cautious of expressing their opinions. Of several, whom I am in the habit of meeting at the Hotel, some intimate, that she is again married, and others the contrary, while a third class smile with a significant shrug, as who should say, we know much more than it would be prudent to disclose. The officers connected with the Government pretend that she has not been married. At the gallery of paintings, on Saturday, I encountered a gentleman, who has proved a very agreeable companion in this strange city. Perceiving me to be a foreigner, he evinced by his manner, as I thought, a disposition, to extend a friendly aid in explaining the objects of curiosity. But mistaking me for an Englishman, as he afterwards acknowledged, he did not feel at liberty to make advances. This obstacle was soon removed, by an approach on my part, to ask some common-place question. We soon became hand and glove companions through the gallery, and for three days have been to all intents and purposes sworn friends. He was quite agreeably disappointed, at finding that I was from America. He proved to be a young limb of the law, who had just finished his studies. Here was another ground of sympathy between us. We have exchanged sentiments freely, on the respective constitutions of Italy and America, and he constantly indulges in exclamations of admiration for our free institutions, without venturing to disapprove of those of his own country. But to the point: like most peregrines, in pursuit of information, it has been expedient for me to become something of a Paul Pry, and to make inquiries hap-hazard, on all topics. Among others, the Princess has not been forgot ten. My friend informs me, that she has been married four or five years to the Count, but that the marriage has never been made public: that it is one of the court secrets, which the people are not allowed openly to discuss that it is well understood by every body here, though nobody will venture to speak much of it: that while the Count is the constant attendant on the Duchess, both in public and in her secret councils, and while he has two children, the heirs of all her Ducal charms, who are recognized as such, in the Palace and in public, yet the nuptials have never been officially announced, and will, for state purposes, probably continue sub rosa. This appears to be all very probable in itself, and will serve to explain the apparent mystery. As so much gossip, it is interesting only, as associated with a personage who has enjoyed so conspicuous a station, as Maria Louisa. I relate it, giving the authority whence it was derived, and leaving the reader to decide on its probability. I placed full faith in my informer. But to return to the Palace. Count Neyperchy is in her service, chief commander of her military, and at the head of her household: he resides at the palace, and rides out with her every day. I have had two opportunities of seeing the party set off. She takes her airing every day from 3 to 5 o'clock. Hearing of this, I of course approached the palace at the hour. A coach, elegant but not remarkable, with four bays and two postillions in livery, a footman, and a courier mounted on another horse, were stationed at the door: several soldiers were on duty about the door, and a company of some fifty or sixty more, were drawn up across the square, at some distance. After some minutes, the door was thrown open, and the General appeared, followed immediately at his elbow, by the ex-Empress, and another lady. The Count handed her into the coach, then the other lady, and then entered himself, taking the front seat opposite to the Duchess, and they drove off, preceded by the courier as they started, the drums beat a salute, and the soldiers presented arms. Some ten or twenty people were collected to see the departure, and all took off their hats in respect, when the Princess appeared. I stood within a few paces, and had an excellent opportunity to see each of the personages. Ma ria Louisa is rather above, than below the middling height, has light eyes, a pallid complexion, and an agreeable physiognomy mildness seems to predominate in her countenance, air, and whole demeanour: her dress was exceedingly plain-a small pink blue bonnet, and a kind of plaid cloak drawn close up to her chin. She has not that erect, commanding air, that I had pictured to myself: indeed I had formed in my mind the lofty Empress of the French, but encountered the mild, amiable, and unassuming Duchess. I heard her speak to the General; her voice was clear, and agreeable. She is apparently about forty years of age. It occurred to me at the moment, tho' it was doubtless a fancy, a mere whim of the brain, that her countenance indicated, that she had tasted the enjoyments of Empire, but was weary of them, and was now perfectly content with her present condition. Be it so: long life and happiness attend her. The General is now by no means an Adonis, whatever he may have been in early life; he appears at least sixty years of age, and has had the misfortune to lose his right eye: its place is supplied by a black patch: he measures six feet, has sandy hair and complexion, and but for the sombre substitute for an eye, would present a visage in no respect remarkable. There is nothing assuming, or ostentatious in his appearance; at the same time his manner is sufficiently dignified, and his demeanour indicates a character, conscious of high rank and superior personal merit. The General has a son and a daughter-children of a former wife. He has also a son and daughter, children of the Duchess, and demie fraternals to the young Napoleon, now Duke of Richstadt, who at present resides at Vienna with his grandfather the Emperor of Austria. ELEGANT LEISURE. Ho! boy-bring here my rocking chair- "Tis done-and now to banish care, Let fancy's spell be mine. The world's shut out-and I alone- The world without 's a slavish one- Up-up my soul! the night is yours- The day was made for slaves and boors- Go! walk the isles of classic Greece, Fling off the sober robes of peace— On! with the rushing host-see how Away-away-through all the earth- Into the region of thy birth, Where kindred spirits are! Now with the storm-worn mariner Now hie thee to the couch of her I love, and watch her sleep! There! rest thee there. "Tis beautiful!- Thou hast not found a scene so full Of calm sublimity! ROSCREA. YOUNG LADIES' SEMINARIES. THE interesting subject of female education engrosses, as it ought, a prominent place in public estimation; and we give, with pleasure, notices respecting some of the most ap proved schools, now open in this city, for the reception of young ladies. This information is not needed here, where the Instructors are known, and their qualifications have been tested; but it may, at this time, interest our country friends; the Spring being usually the season when young ladies, from the country, are sent here to accelerate or complete their education. It will be seen, that most of these schools are under the direction of men; and we think it a proud compliment to the intellect of our sex, when gentlemen of acknowledged abilities, of high scholastic attainments, and undoubted moral excellence, thus devote their talents and learning to the education of females. They would not persevere, did they not find, on the part of their pupils, minds worthy and capable of receiving instruction, even in the severe, exact and abstruse sciences, as well as in those lighter branches of literature, termed accomplishments. But though the assistance of masculine understandings and attainments has been, and is now, in a degree, necessary to the thorough education of young ladies, yet we hope the time is not far distant, when women will be found competent to superintend every department of instruction, in schools, for their own sex, at least. If women can learn, they can teach. There is no business, in which a lady can engage, so appropriate to her station, her character, and those duties, which in after life, devolve on a woman, as that of instruction. Every mother, who rightly fulfils her maternal duties, must be an instructress. And this truth cannot be too early impressed on the female mind. But to return to the schools. And first, (we name them alphabetically) there is the Young Ladies' High School, under the direction of Mr. E. Bailey, as Principal. From a printed account of the organization of this school, it appears there are accommodations for 104 scholars, and 8 assistant pupils. This is a large number for one school; but their instruction appears to be amply provided for. Besides Mr. Bailey, who is esteemed an excellent and indefatigable teacher, there is a Preceptress, and separate teachers in French, Italian, Penmanship, Needlework and Drawing. There are also, eight young ladies, belonging to the school, employed as assistant pupils. We like this latter arrangement, because we think it admirably calculated to prepare those young ladies, who are |