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highest, she found it more lucrative than the visiter into the retired study, and there having highest walks have been often found to be by seated him upon the sofa, take his own place those who have even gloriously pursued them. She has left a considerable fortune.

in the arm-chair before the secretary, and with imposing gravity of manner, commence his lecture of course upon the seriousness and importance of matrimony. We are not informed whether M. L., with the docility befitting his age, heard the lecture to the end; but it appears cer

tain that the result of this first visit was so satis

Reports have been current of late that our bachelor President was hastening to avail himself of his present high political position to assure him an eligible matrimonial union: and the departure upon a mysterious foreign embassy of a high officer of his household gave colour to the factory that the second interview was determined reports. He had an eye not only to present con- upon. M. Foy interrogated his voluminous portfolio with accustomed success. From his long venience, but to requisites which would satisfy the exigencies of what he hoped would be ere lists of ladies to marry, he selected several to be long his own more elevated rank. A royal daugh- submitted to his client. Of them M. L. chose ter of Sweden was the chosen fair one, already Mlle. C., who with no fortune it seems worth a relative of the President, he being her uncle speaking of, was represented to possess all the à la mode de Bretagne. She is a grand-daughter qualities which the disinterested M. L. desired on her mother's side of Eugene Beauharnais, in a wife. Thereupon the following contract who was the brother of Hortense, mother of the was signed between the parties. The contract President. I thought it, from the first, hardly does not appear fairly engrossed, written out with probable that a royal family would receive as a the hand for this particular occasion. Like a man overwhelmed with business, M. F. produced member the mere president of a republic, of so ill-assured position, of such doubtful future, and from his drawer a printed form similar to the lawforms met with in our lawyers' offices. The to speak most favorably, of very questionable personal value. The Moniteur du Soir has just taken blanks left for names and descriptions were filled the trouble formally to deny the truth of these up with the pen: and the document then read as follows. You will perceive it is in the most approved and imposing technical form.

reports.

I gave in one of my late letters an account which it was supposed would be interesting to most of your readers, of the courtiers de mariage (marriage brokers or professional match-makers) of Paris. To-day I add a sort of postscript which will complete the information contained in that letter, and at the same time render an act of justice to French legislation. It is not perhaps the the only discrepancy which could be signalized between the laws of France and its customs in relation to marriage.

M. Foy, the "negociateur en mariages" who figured so honorably in my letter, the same to whom the visit there described was made, has lately had to do with a most ungrateful client, one M. Lebreton. M. L., an elderly gentleman, retired and in easy circumstances, who, in his former professional capacity had been privy to thousands of mock marriages, took it into his head that, in the decline of life, he must contract one in serious earnest for himself. Unhappy, misled man! He forgot that marriage, the truest wisdom at twenty-five, becomes a folly at fifty. "Oui," said he to M. Foy, upon whom he called in furtherance of his project, "Oui, c'en est fait, je me marie."

"Between the undersigned Henry Charles Napoleon de Foy, negotiator of marriages, patented exclusively ad hoc, under the No. 212, residing at Paris, Enghien street, 34 bis, of the one part, and M. Lebreton, former theatrical director, residing at Paris, Tower of Auvergne street, 18, of the other part, has been determined upon and agreed as follows:

"M. Lebreton having made known to M. de Foy his wish to be married, the parties have contracted and taken respectively the engagements hereinafter mentioned:

“Art. 1.—M. de Foy promises to take all the steps understood to be consistent with, and required by, the character of his agency, and to do every thing which shall depend upon him to facilitate the marriage of M. Lebreton, and to enable him to obtain the band of Mlle. C....., whose father holds a high employ, &c., &c.

"Art. 2.-M. Lebreton on his part, promises and undertakes by these presents, only in case of success in his projected marriage, to pay to M. de Foy, immediately after the celebration, the sum of six hundred francs; and this by way of reward in acknowledgment of services rendered and to indemnify M. de Foy for the expenses "Bon!" said M. Foy-(to himself)-"Here and outlays by him to be incurred, in negotiating is another old simpleton who has come to gratify this marriage, and, also, for the pains, care, and my pockets with a handful of his hard-earned diligence which he shall have exercised in its gold." Methinks I see the worthy gentleman, management. This sum. in consideration of the clad in his ample robe de chambre, conducting his uncertainty of the event, has been fixed by M.

Lebreton, and is intended as a recompense in de Foy should succeed in bringing about the gross to cover all charges, without future specifi- marriage of Miss C. with Lebreton-and, concation.

"Art. 3.—The simple fact of the celebration of the marriage between M. Lebreton and Mlle. C. shall be deemed proof that it is by the mediation, care, and diligence of M. de Foy that the marriage has been concluded.

"It is understood that in case the marriage herein contemplated should not take place, this present instrument shall become and remain null and of no effect, and that in this event there shall not be due to M. de Foy any indemnity upon any account whatever.

"Done and signed, double, and in good faith, under private seals, and after being read, at Paris the 25th January, 1849.

"The above writing approved.

LEBRETON."

Operations were commenced immediately under the above contract; and so hotly prosecuted under the guidance of Cupid and M. Foy,

that within less than six months from the signing of the contract, M. Lebreton saw his efforts crowned with success. Mlle. C. had been wooed and won. She was his in the bands of holy wedlock.

sidering further that such a contract, having for its object the conclusion of a matrimonial alliance, not with a view to promote the best interest of the parties, due regard being had to mutual compatibilities, but in view of a pecuniary reward, must be held as vitiated by an illegal consideration," ordered a nonsuit, with costs, to be entered against the plaintiff.

I cannot resist the temptation to add here by way of complement to some illustrations given in a former letter of the extent to which religious superstition yet prevails in France, the following instance of impudent priestly imposture. It is now being practised in the city of Nantes and its vicinity with, it is said, considerable success. Men (said to be Jesuits) of very solemn and mysterious deportment, go about selling copies of of Christ and the Virgin Mary. These persons two portraits which they allege to be likenesses first present themselves at the houses of their intended dupes and leave for perusal a sort of prospectus, printed upon rose-colored paper. The next day they call and present for sale the two engravings alluded to in the prospectus which they always carefully require to be remitted to them. This prospectus is a remarkable docuHere is a copy of it.

ment.

"Veritable Portraits

Virgin Mary.

"The two portraits which we have the honor of presenting to you, have just been found in the

Was he disappointed in matrimony, as most elderly gentlemen who marry young wives, are, sooner or later? Had he been swindled? Had he been deceived as to the soundness or the qualities of the wife whom he had mar- of our Saviour Jesus Christ and of the Thrice Blessed ried upon the representation of Foy, without warranty? It can hardly be supposed that he "Monsieur, was less careful in bargaining for a wife than he would have been in bargaining for a horse. Or was M. Lebreton only a shrewd swindler him- subterranean passages of the Ancient Senatorial self who, aware of the legal defect in his con- Palace, at Rome: where they have lain buried tract with Foy, was determined to take advan- for more than eighteen centuries. tage of that defect, and keep his six hundred "One of these portraits, at the bottom of which francs? This does not appear. But the fact is is written in antique style a personal discription he did neglect to pay the said sum to the said of Jesus with some particulars touching his habits Henry Charles Napoleon-and though often ur- and character, was sent to the Roman Senate by gently requested to pay the same, he ever refused Publius Lentulus, at that epoch governor of Juand omitted so to do. And therefore the said dea. The other is that of the Virgin Mary. It Henry brings his suit. It was in the progress of has been recognised by various antique inscripthis suit which came up for adjudication a few tions to be the same which Saint Luke, the Evandays ago, that the above curious contract was gelist, himself painted and gave to Mary at the produced. It was adduced in evidence of the time he dwelt with her in Jerusalem: and in reverbal contract alleged to exist between the par-lation to which she said upon beholding it, To ties. Before suit was brought Lebreton had of this image I attach my grace.' fered a less sum-a compromise founded per- "These two admirable portraits are perfect haps upon what he deemed a trial, and after in-likenesses, they having been taken during the timate acquaintance, to be the real value of his life of Jesus and of Mary. We owe their renew wife. Six hundred francs is about $120. production to the pencil of a very distinguished M. de Foy would listen to no compromise. He artist, who faithfully copied them at Rome a few would have all or nothing. He got nothing. The days ago, from the original drawings of which court "considering that the recompense of six we spoke above, and which were found in a perhundred francs was stipulated to be paid in case fect state of preservation, freshness and beauty.

"As for the antique writings, observed at the public soon after the revolution with the manbottom of the portraits, we have merely given a agement of the estate and payment of the debts, literal translation of them in order that they may be understood by all persons.

"These two precious portraits of which these few lines can give but a very imperfect idea, will soon find their place in the abode of all Christian families. Their very moderate price puts them within the reach of all fortunes.

"Price of the two portraits: 1 fr. 50 c. "Nota. One of our clerks will have the honor of calling in the course of the day or to-morrow to offer the portraits. Please have the kindness to return to him the prospectus."

It is proposed to establish in Paris a mosk for

reports that the real property belonging to the late king and his sister Adelaide, who died in Paris just before the revolution, may be estimated at fifty millions of dollars. Much of it, however, is unprofitable; the aggregate of income derived from this property not exceeding one million of dollars. He left debts in France to the amount of about twelve millions of dollars. To pay these debts it is proposed to sell his well-known summer residence near Paris, Neuilly, with the famous forest of Bondy and the whole or portions of some half dozen other forests in different parts The numerous promenaders who, in the after- of France. The personal property, of which no noon, throng the Place Vendome, on their way to account is rendered in the notices lately puband from the garden of the Tuileries were a few lished, must amount besides the above to several days since thrown into much excitement by the other millions. If the late king is half so much sad spectacle of yet another suicide committed of a philosopher as he should be, with this ample by leaping from the top of the column of Auster- fortune he will be much happier at Claremont litz upon the pavement below. This is the as Count de Neuilly than he ever was at the third event of the sort since the opening of the Tuileries as King of the French. revolution: and the thirty-sixth since the erection of the column, giving an average of nearly the use of the numerous Mohammedans in the one per annum. The last sufferer was a well-capital. dressed young man supposed, from The theatres of Paris are suffering greatly this in his pocket, to be English or American: but year too, though not so much as last from the no name or address was found. The body, hor- absence of strangers. They have made again ribly crushed and disfigured, was taken to the united application to the National Assembly for Morgue. The height of the column is about a subsidy to enable them to bear up under the pressure of the times. The application was for The High Court of Justice is to be convened and forty-four other members of the Assembly. 680,000 francs, and was signed by Victor Hugo at Versailles the 8th of next month for the trial It has, very wisely I think, been reported against. of sixty-six of the persons principally implicated There is even question now of withdrawal from in the insurrection of the 13 June last. Among the four national theatres all governmental aid the accused are thirty-three members of the National Assembly, and about a dozen connected with the democratic press. Most of these accused persons had sufficient notice of the intention to arrest to enable them to escape across the frontier: most of whom are in England. Twenty-seven only have been seized. Besides these sixty-six there have been numerous other arrests made on account of this affair, seventeen hun

140 feet.

found papers

dred in all. Of these about half have been already discharged: and eight hundred remain to be tried by Court Martial.

and declaring theatrical amusements freely open to all competition. M. Dufaure, Minister of the Interior, has declared himself in favor of the project. Its realization would be a popular measure has just reappeared at the French Theatre after and put a stop to many crying abuses. Rachel a tour in the provinces from which she has netted, is entitled annually to three months vacation it is said, twenty thousand dollars profits. She fered her six thousand dollars if she would waive from the Paris engagements. The manager ofher rights and remain at her post in Paris this The most various reports have been in circula-summer. But she was too well aware of the tion, touching the value of the property of Louis profits of these country excursions and declined Philippe and the amount of his debts. We have the offer. Her health so seriously compromised now authentic information respecting his prop- as was communicated in my letter of January erty in France. It is generally believed that last, published in the Messenger for March, is there is no truth in the rumors, that he was cau- perfectly restored, as you may judge from the tious enough, in anticipation of events compel- wonderful amount of labor, physical and mental, ling him to abandon his throne, to invest in for- which she has undergone during the late tour. eign countries, particularly in England and the During her ninety days' absence from Paris she United States, considerable portions of his in- performed eighty-five nights and traveled 2,500 The administrator, charged by the re-miles! Reports, however, are again rife of serious

come.

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THE LATE EDGAR A. POE.

tinued to castigate impudent aspirants for the
bays. Now that he is gone, the vast multitude
of blockheads may breathe again, and we can
imagine that we hear the shade of the departed
crying out to them, in the epitaph designed for
Robespierre,

Passant! ne plains point mon sort,
Si je vivais, tu serais mort!*

th' extravagancy

And crazy ribaldry of fancy

and to challenge his finest efforts with a chilling cui bono; while the critics of other lands and other tongues, the Athenæum and the Revue des deur Mondes, were warmly recognizing his high claims. They did not appreciate him. To the envious obscure, he might not indeed seem entitled to the first literary honors, for he was versed in a more profound learning and skilled in a more lofty minstrelsy, scholar by virtue of a larger erudi

So much has been said by the newspaper press of the country concerning this gifted child of genius, since his recent death, that our readers are already in possession of the leading incidents of his short, brilliant, erratic and unhappy career. It is quite unnecessary that we should recount them in this place. We feel it due to the dead, It will readily occur to the reader that such a however, as editor of a magazine which owes its course, while it gained subscribers to the review, earliest celebrity to his efforts, that some recog- was not well calculated to gain friends for the nition of his talent, on the part of the Messenger, reviewer. And so Mr. Poe found it, for during should mingle with the general apotheosis which the two years of his connection with the Mesjust now enrols him on the list of "heroes in his- senger, he contrived to attach to himself anitory and gods in song." mosities of the most enduring kind. It was the Mr. Poe became connected with the Messen- fashion with a large class to decry his literary ger during the first year of its existence. He was pretensions, as poet and romancer and scholar, commended to the favorable consideration of the to represent him as one who possessed little else proprietor, the late T. W. White, by the Honor-than able John P. Kennedy who, as Chairman of a Committee, had just awarded to Poe the prize for the successful tale in a literary competition at Baltimore. Under his editorial management the work soon became well-known every where. Perhaps no similar enterprise ever prospered so largely in its inception, and we doubt if any, in the same length of time-even Blackwood in the days of Dr. Magiun, whom Poe in some respects closely resembled-ever published so many shining articles from the same pen. Those who will turn to the first two volumes of the Messenger will be struck with the number and variety tion and poet by the transmission of a diviner of his contributions. On one page may be found spark. some lyric cadence, plaintive and inexpressibly Unquestionably he was a man of great genius. sweet, the earliest vibrations of those chords Among the litterateurs of his day he stands out which have since thrilled with so many wild and distinctively as an original writer and thinker. wondrous harmonies. On another some strange In nothing did he conform to established cusstory of the German school, akin to the most tom. Conventionality he contemned. Thus his fanciful legends of the Rhine, fascinates and as- writings admit of no classification. And yet in tonishes the reader with the verisimilitude of its his most eccentric vagaries he was always corimprobabilities. But it was in the editorial de-rect. The fastidious reader may look in vain, partment of the magazine that his power was even among his earlier poems-where “wild most conspicuously displayed. There he ap- words wander here and there”—for an offence peared as the critic, not always impartial, it may against rhetorical propriety. He did not easily be, in the distribution of his praises, or correct pardon solecisms in others; he committed none in the positions he assumed, but ever merciless to himself. It is remarkable too that a mind sa the unlucky author who offended by a dull book. prone to unrestrained imaginings should be caA blunder in this respect he considered worse pable of analytic investigation or studious rethan a crime, and visited it with corresponding search. Yet few excelled Mr. Poe in power of rigor. Among the nascent novelists and newly-analysis or patient application. Such are the fledged poetasters of fifteen years ago he came contradictions of the human intellect. He was down "like a Visigoth marching on Rome." No an impersonated antithesis. elegant imbecile or conceited pedant, no matter The regret has been often expressed that Mr. whether he made his avatar under the auspices Poe did not bring his singular capacity to bear of a Society, or with the prestige of a degree, but felt the lash of his severity. Baccalaurei baculo potius quam laureo digni was the principle of his action in such cases, and to the last he con

*We translate it freely,

Traveller! forbear to mourn my lot,
Thou would'st have died, if I had not.

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