known. Returning at the fall of the year, from Luxembourg to Vienna, when the carriage had attained the summit of the hill, which commands a view of the city, she was seized with a shivering, which she declared the forerunner of her immediate death. THE PRINCESS OF MONOCĄ. was WHEN this illustrious stranger released from the captivity she had endured in one of the revolutionary prisons, to be led to the scaffold, she turned towards the jailor who was dragging her to the fatal cart which was to convey her away, and She lived, however, till November, when drawing from her bosom a small paper, on the eighteenth, as she was sitting in her wherein was a lock of her hair, she intreated room in the evening, an alarum clock, him to convey it to her son, whose address which was placed there, struck several was written on the paper. "I trust," said times beyond the hour it ought to have she, "that I may implore this favour from told. She turned pale, and addressing her- your mercy... 1 request it in my own name, self to one of her ladies, she said, "There and in the name of all who now hear me. is the signal which calls me away!" She Swear to me in the presence of these worthy continued, notwithstanding, in good health and afflicted people, who are about to suffer till the next day, when she completed her with myself, that you will fulfil what I twenty-second year. In the morning the ask." The jailor promised faithfully to Arch-Duchess Christina rallied her on acquit himself of this commission. her predictions; but in the evening, as she then drew near the funeral cart, and turnwas walking across her chamber, she sud-ing towards one of her women, who was a denly fell, or rather sunk down on her partaker of her sad fate, but who, almost knees. Shortly after the small-pox ap- lifeless with terror, seemed as if unable to peared; she was very delirious during her arrive at the place of execution before she disorder, and she expired on the 27th No expired, "Take courage, my dear friend," vember, 1763. said the Princess, “ pray take courage; it is guilt alone which ought to fear." 1 66 CHARACTERS OF CELEBRATED FRENCH WOMEN. MADAME LA MARECHALE DE LUXEM BOURG. SUPPORTED by a great name, by much confidence, and by her illustrious family, a conduct more than what results from imprudence, became pardonable in the Marechale de Luxembourg; and not only so, but she was the sovereign standard of elegance, fashion, and those rules which are the basis of true politeness. Her empire over the opinions of both sexes in early youth, was absolute; she set bounds to the follies of young women, and compelled the young men to observe a correct and respectful behaviour. Whatever satirical wit the Marechale might outwardly display, her heart had no share in it; she was incapable of an unkind action, even in jest: she was sometimes serious, but without the least ill humour; and her outward forms of ceremony were more talkative than dull; she was even ready to render any one a friendly service, after having been rather violent with them. Nature and frankness formed She her disposition, and they excuse a multitude of errors. She united to a sound judgment that quickness of understanding, without which the artist is imperfect, and the soldier's valour is vain. Her grand-daughter, the Duchess de Biron, had given her for a new year's gift, the portraits of La Fontaine and Moliere, her two favourite authors."Which of these men do think was the greatest?" said one present. replied she, without hesitation, shewing La Fontaine, "is the most perfect, in a style the most imperfect." you MADAME D'ANGI VILLIERS. "This," POSSESSED in a peculiar degree with the charms of conversation, this lady assembled at her house all the learned and bels esprits of Versailles. At an advanced age she was remarkable for her grotesque manner of dressing herself. She was never possessed of any outward charm but a remarkably fine head of hair, which touched the ground; it is true that was not very extraordinary, since she was very short of stature this fine hair, however, she took particular care to display, adorning it with feathers and flowers, so that she rendered the wrinkles of age yet more conspicuous. At first sight her manners seemed as whimsical as her attire; she was ceremonious to excess, and though all her life she had kept company with courtiers, there was a degree of meanness apparent in hier: her first husband had been one of the King's valets. a model, where sense and sweetness united play over the visage. Many beauties have excited more surprise and admiration, but on Madame de Polignac the eye delighted long to dwell. Her character corresponded with her figure; always equal, mild, and serene, she seemed pleased in any situation, and with every one with whom she found herself in company; her conversation was not remarkable for its brilliancy, but it was rational and sprightly; malignity was a stranger to her tongue; she was mild Under this ridiculous exterior was soon without being insipid, and amiable withdiscovered a very superior mind; a sound out being striking. The world, in general, and lively understanding; warmth of reproached her with coldness; which, perheart without enthusiasm, wit without|| haps, took its rise from her not paying sufacrimony, knowledge without pedantry; in || ficient attention to those people who crowdshort, a steady equality of mind and tem-ed to pay their respects to her every Sunper. When a conversation became inter-day; it was not the result of pride; but esting, she was all animation; and spoke || she had not art sufficient to conceal the on every subject with elegance, justice, and || weariness that these visits of etiquette clearness. She did not want to borrow caused her, wherein she knew friendship the wit of others to make her conversation had no part. All the rest of the week she delightful, but her memory furnished her lived like the recluse of a castle: a dozen with appropriate anecdotes, that she re- of friends, with her own family, formed her counted with a grace and charm peculiar society; where an amiable and happy freeto herself. dom might be said to reign. THE DUCHESS DE POLIGNAC. THE favour of Marie Antoinette for this beautiful and unfortunate female was but of short duration: sensible, however, of her worth, she appointed her governess to the royal children of France, although the wishes of the King and those of the public also, were for placing a certain Duchess, more fitted by her age, for the important charge. The countenance of the Duchess de Polignac, had in it an expression almost celestial; her look, her smile, her features, were all angelic: she had one of those heads which Raphael would have taken for Madame de Polignac was in possession of the gifts of fortune, it is true; but it was much against her inclination that she was kept at Versailles; and she would willingly have sacrificed the greatest part of her riches, to have lived in quiet retirement at Paris. At the epocha of the revolution, it is well known that the Queen became the unfortunate object of general animadversion. The people yet imagined that the Duchess de Polignac was her favourite; and attributed the evils which then hung over France to her extravagant counsels. She was obliged to save herself by flight, from the popular fury, and she died shortly after in exile. His associate and playmate from earliest years, was a very amiable and respectable English gentleman: when placed at an immeasurable distance from each other, Alexander yet retained the firmest friendship for the companion of his boyish days." A short time before Paul issued his decree against the English, the then Grand Duke had formed another friendly acquaintance with one of our countrymen, and who used to play duets with Alexander on the flute. When his friend was compelled to quit Russia, he took up the instrument, and thus addressed it, as he held it in his hand, and bade the gentleman farewell. ❝ Adieu, sweet instrument! You have charmed away many an hour of care; often and deeply shall I regret the absence of your charming sounds. But you are going to breathe them in the happiest country in the world." However trifling the above anecdote may appear, it discovers the heart of the illustrious person: and trivial circum stances like these, evince the finer feelings of the soul; it is, by touches such as these, that a minute observer of mankind can trace the colourings of feeling and sensibility. ANECDOTE OF MORLAND, THE PAINTER. MORLAND once took it in his head to serve the office of constable gratis; but he soon was weary of it. At the time he undertook to wield the staff of civic power, the weather was favourable, the days long, and he was not much employed; but he soon found that he could not exercise his authority when, and how he pleased. When he has been busily employed in finishing a picture, and in urgent need of money, an order would arrive from the high constable to send him on business that would take up the whole day. If he had to serve a summons for a jury, he was always behind-hand in executing it, and exhausted the patience of the coroner, from whom he experienced a severe reprimand. His admirable picture, however, of the Deserter, owes its masterly strokes of nature, for which he was so eminent, to his having served in this office; for just as he had began it, a serjeant, drummer, and private, in their way to Dover, in pursuit of deserters, came into the house where Morland was, as usual, drinking, for a billet; Morland accompanied them to the Britannia, treated them plentifully, and questioned them particularly on the trials of deserters by court-martial, with their punishment. He provided these, his new acquaintance, with ale, wine, and tobacco, took them to his house, and while he seemed to be carousing SOME ACCOUNT OF THE SITTINGS OF THE COMMITTEE OF GENERAL SAFETY DURING THE REIGN OF ROBERSPIERRE. In order to gain admittance into the anti-chambers, we were obliged to grope our way through a long corridor, lighted only by a lamp at each end. Every avenue which led to the apartment where the committee for public safety held their sittings, was dark, gloomy, and horrible, and formed a striking contrast with the halls. wherein the Decemvirs were collected together: those who obtained the favour of being admitted into their presence, were dazzled at the sudden change. The finest tapestry from the Gobelins covered the floor. Marble, gilt bronze, and pier glasses ornamented in profusion the vast apartment; the most beautiful time-pieces and sumptuous girandoles adorned the chimneypieces; in the various recesses were placed superb arm-chairs, and voluptuous ottomans for the use of those republicans, who displayed in public the manners and language of the Lacedemonians. In small closets were side-boards laid out with the choicest food and wines, so that the members of the committee might satisfy their appetites without being obliged to quit the apartment. Seated round a large oval table, covered with green baize, and loaded with papers containing the decrees of death, were the Decemvirs who were weighing in their impure hands the destiny of France and of all Europe. The Decemvirs were not all collected together till about ten o'clock at night; when they arrived, though not absolutely drunk, yet they were stimulated by wine and good cheer, and heated by liquors. It was here that they organized the conspiration of the prisons, and laid down the plan of depopulation during fifteen months. A map of France was always spread before the Decemvirs, with the population of each commune. The If walls were possessed of the faculty of hearing, what horrible blasphemies against humanity would they have heard. Decemvirs resembled a company of butchers, the proprietors of twenty-five million of heads. When Roberspierre assisted at their deliberations, they took a darker tint; they laughed less, and committed evil with less gaiety. PARTICULARS OF THE DEATH OF THE EM- These were the last words he was heard to utter. He attempted at endeavouring to gain his own apartment; in his way to which, he was obliged first to descend a flight of wooden steps; when he came to the top his head turned giddy, and he laid hold on the centinel who was stationed there: as he tried to advance, he fell forward at the first or second step. He was immediately conveyed to an anti-chamber, where they laid him on a common bed, belonging to one of the lacqueys about the court. While the surgeons were sent for, the King of the Romans was called out from the theatre. Nothing could equal the demon, strations of his filial affliction, as he took his dying father in his arms. The Emperor's veins were opened, his temples sca||rified, and every method made use of for THE Emperor was in his private box at the theatre, when he received the final summons which called him to eternity. He made signs to the Princess of Auresberg that he felt unwell, and pointed to his head. His indisposition became more violent; || his recovery, but all in vain. He gave no yet, unwilling to prevent the performance longer signs of sense or life. from going on, he sat some time longer, till finding himself threatened with total loss of sense, he rose up and went out followed by three noblemen. When the Emperor got into the air he staggered; but on one of his attendants asking him if he was not well, he said in German, "A man of spirit is not affected by a small matter." Count Hatzfieldt, minister of state for the interior, entered the chamber about two hours after. He found the royal corpse yet stretched on the miserable pallet, alone, without one attendant near him, while two or three lingering drops of blood were yet oozing from the veins which the surgeons had opened. NADIR-A TALE OF FORMER TIMES. (Concluded from Page 171.) NADIR had already assumed a haughty || who had just left the college of the Pontiff ; arrogant air, when the private secretary to the Prime Minister was announced. In consequence of the essential. services which the privateer Fortune had rendered to the state, by annoying the commerce of the enemy, Nadir had been appointed commander of the naval forces. Our hero, suddenly inflamed with military ardour, swore he would conquer, and thought himself certain of success. Under a false conception that he must superintend in person the management of every branch of his department, he enquired into the minutest details, which caused him to lose sight of the main object. Now again he was assailed with visitants: the one recommended a younger brother, No. 64. Vol. X. the other his son; a third, a relation of his mother, or of his mistress; and more than one married lady solicited employment for her husband, who stood in the way of a paramour. Nadir thought of doing right, whilst, listening only to persons in high favour, he neglected meritorious officers who had no friends to patronize them. He granted commissions to individuals, who indeed were not deficient in courage, but had never seen manœuvres but on paper or in painting. Sails, rigging, ammunition, and provisions were wanted, and Nadir had recourse to public leeches, to supply the admiralty by contract: so that the national coffers were empty, and the fleet was but very indis Dd ferently equipped, when Nadir was ordered out for an expedition of great importance. The enemy, who had received previous intelligence of the intended expedition, had already put to sea, and had taken the advantage of the wind. His line, not being well formed, was cut through; his signals were not rightly interpreted; nay, the mariners were at a loss to execute manœuvres which they had never been taught how to perform. Some few galleys acted most wonderfully; others, being disabled, went to the bottom, their commanders refusing to strike their colours: these heroical achievements, however, prevented not a compleat defeat; and Nadir, after having several times been in danger of his life, escaped with great difficulty, and returned into port with the wrecks of a squadron that had been the pride and the hope of the empire. Some few envious malecontents were in expectation that Nadir would be removed from his high station. By no means. Too many individuals were interested in supporting him, in order to secure themselves against public vengeance. A most ingenious report was circulated, in which all the blame was attached to those who had been sunk. Nay, it was farther urged, that our hero was entitled to a reward for his undaunted bravery, or, at least, an indemnification for the glory which he had been maliciously prevented from acquiring. So that whilst another squadron was getting ready, he was appointed to command a powerful army, intended to chastise a neighbouring Prince. Nadir this time was accompanied by a host of flatterers, who were unceasingly praising his magnanimity and liberal disposition. In his name they levied heavy contributions, of which they reaped the whole advantage; they even preyed on the allowance of their own men., In the mean time the enemy took a bad position. A skilful tactician soon perceived it, and the whole of Nadir's force was instantly marched, to encounter the weakened foe. The corps, scattered here and there, were attacked successively, and Nadir's troops displayed such intrepidity, that they obtained a complete victory. Several fortified towns opened their gates to the conqueror, and Nadir was proclaimed the saviour of the empire. No dignity was now reckoned above his merits. The prime minister, who had recently ventured to disapprove of a plan he had proposed, was dismissed, when our hero was put in possession of the seals of office, and appointed Premier. It is said that, in imitation of his predecessors, he caressed such as were in circumstances to supply his extravagance, and that he removed them as soon as their resources were exhausted; that when a handsome woman had a memorial to present him, the rest were obliged to dance attendance for a long time in his anti-chamber; that he promoted his clients only: thus collecting round him those men who might be subservient to his purposes; but that he dispersed all whose talents or disposition occasioned him alarm. The monarch had only one child, a daughter; but according to the fundamental laws of the country, females were excluded from the throne. The ambitious Nadir thought it not impossible, therefore, for him to succeed to the Emperor. Did his heart partake of the suggestion of his mind? Did that heart at least pay Elma the tribute of a tear? Perhaps it did, but to what avail? He thought not of ascertaining whether he had not been imposed upon, and whether, indeed, Elma no longer existed. He was too busily engaged in contriving the means of obtaining the hand of the Princess. Intrigue, bribery, audacity, and flattery, he alternately put in practice. The most elevated in the state, whom their degenerated souls rendered the basest; the pontiffs, the most perverse of mankind, when they cease being the most exemplary; women, who like to interfere whenever an opportunity occurs of displaying their abilities, besieged the credulous monarch, and persuaded him that the public safety, and even the glory of his uame were concerned in the completion of a marriage, of which history afforded a multiplicity of precedents: so that the sovereign, tired of contending, single against them all, finally yielded consent. The Princess at that time was travelling in some distant parts of the empire, when her father gave her up to Nadir, as he would have done one of his provinces, and now one of the most distinguished personages of the court was |