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Yet the coldness of Maria Louisa's character, when not among her intimate friends, was so notorious that she has been reproached with extending it to her own || child.

happen to the lady for this neglect.-Maria || walking in the Jardin des Plantes, the Louisa possessed every amiable quality to|| gardener came up and returned thanks for endear her to those who intimately knew the two hundred franks he had received her, but she wanted that easy familiarity from her Majesty: this fraud was overlookwhich, in France, serves to seduce the ed, like many others, and thus the poor multitude. One evening when she was at were deprived of the bounty the Empress the Theatre Français, a lady ventured to intended they should enjoy. tell her that the audience was dissappointed at not seeing her, as she remained at the back of her box.-" What signifies that ?" exclaimed Madame de Montebello, and continued to remark that her Majesty did not come there to be exhibited like a curi- Napoleon once complained to Maria osity at a fair. These counsels caused the Louisa of the conduct of her mother-inyoung Princess to appear in public with an law and the Archdukes towards him: “As air of lassitude and restraint: and to use to the Emperor,” added he, “I say nothing the expressive sentence from the interesting of him; he is a ganache (a stupid fellow)." publication from whence we have partly Maria Louisa was not sufficiently versed in gleaned and abridged these anecdotes, "She modern French to understand him, and froze the hearts which would have burned asked her attendants what it meant? None for love of her."-She conceived a sort of of them durst venture to explain, and they jealousy for Josephine, because she heard told her it meant a serious reflecting man. her unceasingly extolled for her charity and She did not forget the term, and often used benevolence, and she was displeased when- || it in a very diverting way. Having once ever she heard her name mentioned. Yet | remarked in council, that Cambaceres did the young Empress was very charitable; but she suffered herself to be deceived in the objects of her bounty. Josephine's lady of honour always superintended the application of her mistress's charity, and a small sum of money restored many families to life and happiness. Maria Louisa deducted from the allowance made her for her toilette, a monthly sum of ten thousand franks for the poor: this was double the amount of what Josephine devoted to the same purpose; but unfortunately the business of dispensing it was left to Madame de Montebello's secretary, who was devoid of principle, delicacy, or prudence, and therefore appropriated to his own use a large portion of the money intrusted to his charge. One day when Maria Louisa had been to visit the Jardins des Plantes, she desired Madame de Montebello to present five hundred franks to the gardener; the secretary had orders to deliver them. A few days afterwards, as the Duchess was

not utter a word, she said, "I should like to have your opinion on this business, Sir, for I know you are a ganache !”—At this compliment Cambaceres stared, and repeated in a low voice, “ Ganache!”—“Yes," replied the Empress, a serious, thinking sort of man."-No one made any reply, and the discussion proceeded: this was at the time when Maria Louisa was appointed Regent.

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Her perfidious advisers had prevented her accompanying her husband in his exile to Elba: only one of her ladies ventured to tell her that duty and honour required her not to quit him." You are the only person, Madame, who has told me so," said Maria Louisa; "all my friends, and particularly M. Caulaincourt, are of a different opinion."-" Madame," replied the lady, "I am, perhaps, the only one who does not betray your Majesty."The advice, however, was not attended

to.

CHARACTERS OF CELEBRATED FRENCH WOMEN.

MADAME DE MONTEBello.

apartment for nine days, without quitting THIS female, who had risen from one of her for a moment, reposing on a couch in the inferior classes in France, was appoint the chamber of her mistress, and evincing ed first dame d'honneur to Maria Louisa the most tender care, anxiety, and attention on her marriage with Napoleon. To the during the painful and protracted labour. countenance of a Madona she united ex- Bonaparte was mightily attached to etitreme gentleness of manners, and was ge-quette; and Madame de Montebello would nerally pleasing, though her natural charac-often laugh with Maria Louisa at what ter was cold and reserved. She delicately she, the Duchess, called his long sermons, participated in the feelings of her royal seldom giving him any other name than mistress, sympathized with her, consoled Mousieur Etiquette. her, and so completely insinuated herself Two parties then divided the court of into her confidence and favour, that the France, that of the old nobility, and of young Empress seemed only to exist in her those sprung from the revolution: from presence. Dreading the influence of the what has already been stated of Madame Queen of Naples, Madame de Montebello de Montebello it may easily be judged that put in practice every art to prejudice Maria she was the very life and soul of the second Louisa against her, exaggerating her errors "party; and though her character was cold, and charging her with those of which she she was warm and hasty in her temper, was innocent. The most unfavourable trait and on some occasions made no attempt to in the character of the Duchess was that disguise her feelings, as may be seen by envy too often inseparable from vulgar the manner in which she spoke to her royal minds. Whenever her mistress seemed to mistress after the departure of Bonaparte distinguish any one she immediately became for Elba; some arguments having taken the object of the Duchess de Montebello's place relative to the propriety of Maria calumny and scandal. The Empress was Louisa accompanying her husband, Mayoung and credulous, and she was wrought || dame de Montebello exclaimed, “I am upon to believe Madame de Montebello heartily tired of all this: I wish I were was the only youthful female of irreproach-once again quietly settled with my children able character at court: we leave the in my little house in the Rue d'Enfer!”— reader to judge what that character was "It is unkind of you to tell me that, in reality. Though receiving continually Duchess," said the Empress, bursting into the most costly presents from her munifi- tears. The Duchess, however, declared, cent patroness, far from manifesting any that whatever might happen she was desentiments of gratitude, she was presump-termined not to go to Elba. And it was tuous enough to complain of the slavery and confinement to which she submitted, as, she said, merely for the welfare of her children.

Such a woman could not be supposed to be without enemies in an intriguing court. Having obtained leave of absence on account of her health, her enemies availed themselves of this circumstance to propagate a report that she had retired to conceal the consequences of which Napoleon was

the author.

The birth of the young Napoleon placed her character in the fairest light, as she appeared to be actuated by real attachment to the Empress. She remained in her

always thought that she joined the plot for separating Maria Louisa from her husband, lest she should be, in a manner, compelled to accompany her-a sacrifice by no means accordant with the character of Madame de Montebello.

It has been remarked above that on some occasions she scorned to disguise her sentiments, and had a strange affectation of ignorance when it suited her purpose. Dining one Friday with Cardinal Caprara, she refused every thing that was offered her at table. His eminence asked her if she had lost her appetite?" No, my Lord," replied she; "but I see only fish and eggs, and I eat nothing but carnivorous animals!",

HISTORICAL AND SELECT ANECDOTES.

ANECDOTE OF FREDERIC THE GREAT.

informed him they were unfortunate persons who came to solicit some favour of his father. From that time, whenever he say a person with a petition, he cried, and let no one rest till it was brought to him, and he never failed to present to his father, at || breakfast, whatever he had collected the preceding day.

On the death of one of his chaplains, Frederic was desirous of replacing him by a man of talent, and he took the following method to ascertain the candidate's qualifications. He told the applicant that he would himself furnish him a text to preach extempore from the following Sunday. The clergyman accepted the offer; and the whim of such a sermon was spread widely abroad, while at a very early hour the chapel royal was crowded to excess. The King arrived just at the conclusion of the prayers, and on the clergyman's ascending the pulpit one of his Majesty's aides-decamp presented him a sealed letter. The preacher opened it, and found nothing but a piece of blank paper: he lost not, however, his presence of mind on this critical occasion; but turning the paper about on both sides, he said, "My brethren, here is nothing, and there is nothing; out of no-tition to his father, saying, "Here is a pething God created all things;" and he then proceeded to deliver a most admirable sermon on the wonders of creation.

ANECDOTE OF LOUIS BONAPARTE. THIS young man always bore a good character; particularly for continued acts of charity and benevolence. The most amiable trait in his conduct is his particular attention to distressed artists. Under such circumstances Louis is sure to become a purchaser; and, when at Naples, was the constant patron of modest and suffering merit. At the time that his brother Napoleon quitted Elba, he was much agitated, and pathetically exclaimed, “ Mon Dieu ! ne trouverai-je donc pas un asyle pour vivre tranquille?"

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He one day observed a woman in mourn» ing under his window, with a little boy, who was also dressed in mourning: the child held up a petition to the young Prince, who immediately inquired why the poor little boy was dressed in black? His governess replied, that it was doubtless because his father was dead; and on young Napoleon expressing a wish to speak to the child, they were called in, and the lady proved to be a widow whose husband had fallen in battle, and came to solicit a pension. Young Napoleon presented her pe

tition from a very unfortunate little boy; you have been the cause of his father's death, he has nothing in the world left ; pray grant him a pension."-Napoleon granted it.

ANECDOTE OF THE DUKE OF BASSANO.

THOUGH charged with the diplomatic affairs, at one time, of Europe, he was enslaved by the charms of a handsome young Countess; who, at first, treated him with the greatest severity; till, weary of his im portunities, she planned a ruse de guerre to get rid of him, and seemed to relax from her former rigidity.

One evening the Duke received a note from her, informing him her husband was from home, and that she would have for him a tête-à-tête supper at half past ten. Maret presented himself at the garden door, where a waiting maid was stationed who led him silently and mysteriously into the apartment of the Countess. An ele gant collation was served up, without any servant making his appearance; the wait. ing maid brought in and carried out the dishes; the last of which disappearing, Maret was left with his fair enslaver. A loud knocking was soon heard at the door. "Who can possibly knock at such an

PARTICULARS

OF THE INTRIGUES PRE

CEDING THE 9TH NOVEMBER, 1799, BETWEEN BONAPARTE AND BARRAS. On the first or second of November the colleagues supped at Madame Tallien's; and it was determined that Barras should be at the head of the provisionary govern ment, with the title of First Consul, and that Syeyes and Bonaparte should second him under the denomination of Second and Third Consuls. The supper was gay. in the extreme: Barras drank copiously, Bonaparte pretended to drink, and Syeyes,

hour?" said the Countess. The waiting maid ran in, crying out, "It is M. le Compte, Madame, M. le Compte!"-" My husband," said the lady, " is as jealous as a tiger; we are lost. Hide yourself; perhaps he may come here for an instant, after which he will retire to his apartment.". "Here he is, Madam, here he is!" cried the Abigail."—" Quick," Sir, quick," said the Countess, dragging him towards a bal- || cony, which she opened, and which looked into a garden. The terrified Duke suffered himself to be shut out on the balcony, though a dreadful shower of rain was fall-on pretence of a delicate state of health, ing. He heard soon after the wife and refused to join in the toasts that were husband arguing together. Silence fol- quaffed to the success of the republic. lowed; he hoped to be released, but he || Barras gave himself up to all that gayety waited more than an hour. He was con- which belongs peculiarly to Frenchmen in vinced now that a trap had been laid for the meridian of life: Bonaparte smiled, as him; he therefore began only to think of satan is said (by Milton) to have smiled the means of escaping; and cautiously when he reviewed his army of rebel angels, placing his feet on the trellis-work under || with which he hoped to dethrone the Althe balcony, he supported himself with his mighty. As to Syeyes, he was only emhands on the rails: but as he was aban-ployed in seeing that the doors were all doning the balcony altogether, the trellis secured, and that the servants were not work, being rotten, gave way, and broke listening, as they might very easily hear under his weight: he fell amongst a num- what was said through the slight partition ber of rose-bushes, and returned home with of the dining-room. 3 rueful face, torn and disfigured by the thorns.

It is not likely that this adventure should transpire through him; but Bonaparte had a peculiar relish for anecdotes of this kind, and the Countess herself informed him of it; the ci-devant Emperor never failed to rally the Duke on this love adventure on every occasion; nor did Bonaparte stop there, he related it to the mistress of Maret, so that the public soon became informed of the transaction.

The grand movement was fixed for the 9th, and the night being far advanced, every one retired home; Syeyes promising himself he should cheat Bonaparte, and Bonaparte that he should cheat both Barras and Syeyes.

The next morning Bonaparte and Syeyes had a private interview in the Rue Chantereine, where they agreed to hasten the day which had been fixed for the revolu tion.

THE GLEANER'S PORTE-FOLIO;

CONSISTING OF INTERESTING ARTICLES FROM RECENT PUBLICATIONS, PUBLIC JOURNALS, &c. &c.

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others to those fanciful whims in which the great are too prone to indulge themselves.

and conversed with many of the ladies, particularly with the Duchess de Gallo, whose husband is his prime minister; Lady Landaff and Lady Oxford also drew a large share of his attention. Murat is considered by the ladies as graceful in bis manners, and studious to please all, and appears to be quite a Chevalier Français till he opens his mouth, when the charm is at once dissolved. Vulgar oaths seem fa

The palace of the illustrious personage is splendid, and delightfully situated at the Chiaga, and a guard of honour is stationed, by order of the King, at the entrance of ber mansion. Her residence in this capital certainly contributes not a little to enliven || its society, as she gives dinner parties every day, and a ball once a week. Mr. Stan-miljar to him, nor did he restrain himself hope, Mr. Maxwell, and myself had the honour of being presented to her by the Honourable Mr. Craven, who acts as her chamberlain. We were ushered into a spacious and elegant apartment, where we found a large circle, mostly composed of Neapolitan nobility of both sexes, together with some English of distinction.

I had the honour of dining with this illustrious traveller, and found the society mostly composed of English. Besides those belonging to the establishment, were the Earl and Lady Landaff, the Marquis of Sligo, the Honourable Montague Matthew, Madame Falconnet, Mr. and Mrs Procter, Mr. Coffin, Mr. French, and Mr. Sanvayre.

The ball on the 7th of January was particularly splendid, and was attended by the whole court, as well as all the first society in the place. Many English ladies of rank excited general admiration, as well by the beauty of their persons as by the elegance of their manners, in both which particulars they formed a pleasing contrast to the Neapolitan ladies.

At ten o'clock his Majesty arrived: the Queen was expected, but it was reported that she was prevented from being present by indisposition. Murat was attended by a long retinue of courtiers, all decked out in embroidered coats, to whom he formed a striking contrast, being simply dressed || in a plain green coat with white mothero'-pearl buttons, and a white waistcoat; his shoes were tied with ribband, and he wore no decorations; his mustachios were large and black, and his hair hung loose over his shoulders, without any powder. Such was the dress of this great sovereign, which, it must be confessed, was quite in character.

After he had kissed the hand of the illustrious hostess he walked about the saloon,

in the use of them even when conversing with women of the first rank: so disgusting was this to many present, and even to his suite, that I heard several of them make their remarks upon it.

A Neapolitan nobleman near me was bold enough to make several ill-natured observations; among the rest he expressed his surprise that a certain illustrious personage should dress à-la-Française, and not after the fashion of her own country: he also wondered at her affability in waltzing with strangers. Being desirous of breaking off this conversation, which was neither pleasant nor becoming, I retired to the other side of the saloon, but he soon followed me, and continued his observations. "Pray, Sir," said he, "is it customary in England for the pages to waltz in company with the illustrious personages they attend? I am surprised that the young protégé does not dance with a lady of his own age; instead of which he chuses one of the best dancers in the ball-room with. out any regard to the disparity of her years."-The loud laughter of four English gentlemen, who at that moment entered the ball-room, next drew his attention. The fact was, that these boisterous sons of mirth had just quitted a convivial party, and were rather dans le vigne du Seigneur, and probably not apprised of the illustrious personage being present.

We had a masked ball given not long before by the same august personage, at a garden near the Castello del Novo, which was equally splendid. The garden bes longs to a branch of the royal family: it was lighted with a great variety of coloured lamps; there was also a grand display of fire-works, and every thing went off with éclat. The King and the Queen attended in masks; his Majesty appeared first in a hunting dress, but soon changed his cos

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